$2 million gift to fund park at The James
With her $2 million pledge to fund the Phyllis A. Jones Legacy Park in front of the new Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Phyllis Jones is making good on a promise she made to her late husband, Clayton K. Jones.
Phyllis, former president and CEO of Fiesta Salons, pledged the gift to create the park in honor of her late husband, who was among the first patients treated for lung cancer at The James when it opened in 1990. His physician — the hospital’s namesake Arthur G. James, MD — would stop by daily to visit with Clayton during his six-week hospitalization.
As he lay in his hospital bed, Clayton told his wife: “You take care of The James, honey. They’ve taken care of me.” Phyllis has never forgotten her husband’s sentiments.
In fulfilling her promise, Phyllis says she hopes to create a restful, peaceful garden where patients, visitors and staff can seek comfort and solace. The garden, which will include a children’s play area, will be located on the West Lawn area in front of the new cancer hospital that is scheduled for completion in 2014.
Phyllis recalls how she visited her husband for up to 10 hours every day, and knows firsthand the toll taken on family and friends, who often spend days or weeks at a loved one’s hospital bedside. “Spending that much time at the hospital is hard on you,” says Phyllis, who lives in Powell. “This Legacy Park seems like a restful addition to me, and it’s something everybody can enjoy.”
Ellen and James Bachmann pledge gift to name Resource Center
Inspired by the OSUCCC - James and Medical Center expansion and the care they previously received at Ohio State’s Medical Center, Ellen and James Bachmann have pledged a significant gift to name the Resource Center in the ground floor Patient Education Center.
The Medical Center expansion is a 15-year, $1.3-billion expansion program — the largest construction and renovation project in the University’s history. The expansion includes a new cancer hospital; critical care building; interlocking spaces for research, teaching and patient care; and a soaring grand concourse that links hospitals, clinics, laboratories, classrooms, garages and restaurants.