The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation Receives a $5 Million Gift From Google Executive for Children's Hospital
GAINESVILLE, Fla., September 3, 2009 — Following the unimaginable loss of
their son Sebastian less than two years ago, Horst and Luisa Ferrero created
the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation with a mission to improve child patient
safety and develop a full-service children's hospital. Today the stars have
aligned for the Foundation with two significant steps forward. The Sebastian
Ferrero Foundation, the University of Florida and Shands HealthCare have
agreed to conduct an analysis of the attributes and resources of premier
children's hospitals in a cooperative effort to achieve a level of patient
safety and quality that is second to none in a full-service environment
devoted to children. The Foundation has also just received a commitment for a
$5 million gift--which represents significant progress toward the
philanthropic support necessary to move this project closer to achieving its
fundraising goal.
"Together we are working toward our shared goal of achieving the highest
possible patient safety and quality in an environment dedicated to optimal
care for children," said Dr. David Guzick, UF's senior vice president for
health affairs and president of the UF&Shands Health System. "This generous
gift represents a major milestone in the Foundation's efforts to realize that
vision."
The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation has received a $5 million commitment from Mr. Craig Silverstein, a Gainesville native and son of physicians Drs. Burton and
Janet Silverstein, both of Gainesville. "Growing up the child of two doctors,
I understand the important role medical care plays in a community. The more I
hear about this Project, and what it will bring to Gainesville, the more
excited I am by it," said Silverstein, who became Google's first employee in
1998 and is now its Director of Technology. "Giving this gift to the Sebastian
Ferrero Foundation will help advance its mission of creating a full-service
Children's Hospital in partnership with Shands at UF, while ensuring the
highest quality care for children in North Central Florida and beyond." Mr.
Silverstein proposed this grant through his donor advised fund at Schwab
Charitable Fund.
