Newswise — Washington, D.C., November 2, 2020 – MedStar Health is honored to announce a generous gift of $4 million from local philanthropists Amy and Alan Meltzer. Mr. Meltzer is CEO and Founder of the NFP | The Meltzer Group, a Bethesda, Md.-based insurance brokerage firm. The gift will support research, training and new technology acquisition for the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

 “My wife and I are making this gift in gratitude for the exceptional care I received from the stroke team of doctors and nurses at MedStar Washington Hospital Center,” said Mr. Meltzer. “The treatment they provided helped me to resume a relatively normal life within days of my stroke.”

Mr. Meltzer was transferred to MedStar Washington Hospital Center after being hospitalized for a stroke in April 2018. Remarkably, only four days after having a stroke, he returned home to his family fully recovered. His lifesaving care experience with the Comprehensive Stroke Center team motivated him to help others who may be afflicted by a stroke. 

“We are very proud of the amazing care given to all patients by our Comprehensive Stroke Center team,” said MedStar Washington Hospital Center President Gregory J. Argyros, MD. “With vascular disease on the rise, especially with young adults, the generous gift provided by Mr. and Mrs. Meltzer will definitely be put to good use and help us continue to provide the highest quality stroke care to everyone.”

The Meltzers’ gift will be allocated into three areas: 

  • $1.5 million to support training, education, and certification for nurses
  • $1.25 million to support the acquisition of advanced stroke, neuroscience, and vascular surgery equipment and technology
  • $1.25 million to support neuroscience research

“We are humbled by this generous gift from Amy and Alan Meltzer in support of MedStar Health and the MedStar Washington Hospital Center Stroke Team that has saved countless lives,” added Kenneth A. Samet, President and Chief Executive Officer of MedStar Health. “Even with today’s advancements in stroke care, this gift allows for the discovery of new diagnostic techniques and treatment options and ultimately, helps stroke survivors thrive.”   

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MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a 912-bed, major teaching and research hospital. It is the largest private, not-for-profit hospital in the nation’s capital, among the 100 largest hospitals in the nation and a major referral center for treating the most complex cases. Its cardiology program is highly acclaimed and its cardiac surgery program has consistently earned the highest national rating–three stars–from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The Hospital Center operates the Washington region’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center and the District’s only Cardiac Ventricular Assist Device program, both certified by The Joint Commission. The hospital is also home to MedSTAR, a nationally verified level I trauma center with a state-of-the-art fleet of helicopters and ambulances, and also operates the region’s only adult Burn Center.