STAMFORD, CT, NOVEMBER 7, 2022 – Today, Stamford Health announced that it has received a philanthropic commitment of $10 million from the Odyssey Group Foundation, as part of its Campaign for Women and Babies. The campaign is funding the modernization of the Whittingham Pavilion on Stamford Health’s Bennett Medical Center Campus, along with the expansion of other services and programs throughout Stamford Health, all focused on providing unparalleled care for women and babies in Lower Fairfield County. Odyssey’s generous commitment will go directly toward a relocation and total transformation of Stamford Health’s Breast Center at the Tully Health Center.
In fiscal year 2022, Stamford Health performed more than 28,000 mammograms and delivered nearly 4,300 treatments for breast cancer, and the demand for breast care and cancer treatment is growing. This gift will ensure the Breast Center is able to maintain use of state-of-the-art equipment, attract expert caregivers and renovate facilities to align with the person-centered care it already provides to the community. The Breast Center will be relocated and redesigned to include better patient flow, co-locate specialists, create access to serve more patients and improve privacy for an enhanced patient experience.
“All of us at Stamford Health are so grateful for the continuous support from Odyssey,” said Kathleen Silard, President and CEO of Stamford Health. “This donation is a huge step forward and will help improve the expert, patient-centered care that we deliver to women in all stages of life. Odyssey is a long-standing supporter of Stamford Health, and the positive impact of this donation will be felt by our community for years to come.”
“Supporting the communities in which our employees live and work is an essential part of Odyssey’s culture,” said Brian Young, president & CEO, Odyssey Group. “Stamford Health is a beacon in our community and the new Breast Center will provide state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, related care and health services for many years to come.”
The generosity of Odyssey has been a pillar of Stamford Health’s growth and excellence over the years, specifically in building the new hospital, which opened in 2016. Odyssey’s gift funded a new 48,530 square foot Emergency Department with dedicated pediatric, cardiac, trauma and behavioral health treatment areas. Odyssey also gave $2 million to fund the purchase of the da Vinci Surgical System in 2008.
Stamford Health’s Breast Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. The center is staffed by fellowship-trained surgeons and board-certified radiologists using most advanced diagnostic technologies and treatment options. In 2009, Stamford Health was the first site in the nation to be accredited by the NAPBC, and was reaccredited in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021. The Breast Center is also a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designated by the American College of Radiology. The Breast Center offers a full suite of breast health services including imaging (MRI, mammography), ultrasound, biopsy, navigation, high-risk and surgery. Should a patient be diagnosed with cancer, Stamford Health offers the full spectrum of breast cancer care, from initial diagnosis to reconstruction. The Breast Center is led by Co-Directors Dr. Helen Pass, Chief of Breast Surgery and Dr. Mia Kazanjian, Director of Women’s Imaging.
About Stamford Health:
Stamford Health is a non-profit independent healthcare system with more than 3,700 employees committed to caring for the community through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families receive expert, compassionate care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 40 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.
Stamford Health is known for its expert, person-centered care through its many recognitions and partnerships. Stamford Hospital is the only hospital in Fairfield County, CT to receive a grade of ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group, an independent watchdog organization for protecting patient safety. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rated Stamford Hospital as a five-star hospital for Overall Quality. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Stamford Hospital as a “High Performing” Hospital. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has granted Stamford Hospital Magnet Status, which recognizes superior patient care with the highest level of safety, quality, and patient satisfaction. Stamford Health is Planetree Gold-Certified for Excellence in Person-Centered Care and is a Certified™ Great Place to Work. Stamford Hospital is the only hospital in Connecticut to concurrently hold these achievements.
Stamford Health is also a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and has expanded its relationship with Columbia in 2021 to offer treatment and expertise from Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s nationally recognized heart surgeons. Stamford Health and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have created a premier center for specialty orthopedic care in Stamford and have recently opened secondary locations in Harbor Point and Westport. Additionally, in 2020 Stamford Health’s Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center entered into an expanded collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.
Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted healthcare partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About Odyssey Group:
Odyssey Group Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, collectively known as Odyssey Group, is a global, diversified underwriter of reinsurance and specialty insurance. Global reinsurance is provided by OdysseyRe and specialty insurance is underwritten by Hudson Insurance Group in the U.S. and Newline Group internationally. A global enterprise committed to providing local service, Odyssey Group writes business in more than 100 territories through a network of over 30 offices located in 13 countries. Odyssey Group is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. Fairfax is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FFH. Additional information is available at www.odysseygroup.com.
The Odyssey Group Foundation was formed in 2007 to provide funding to charitable organizations active in communities in which Odyssey Group employees live and work, as well as to charitable organizations dedicated to worldwide disaster relief.