MELROSE PARK, Ill. – The Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary pledged a $150,000 gift to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (GMH), part of Loyola University Health System, to fund a renovation of the hospital’s medical conference and learning center.
Dorry LaSpisa, president, Gottlieb Auxiliary, announced the gift during the hospital’s 50th annual Emerald Ball black-tie fundraiser at Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Nov. 5.
“More than 300 attended the Emerald Ball this year in support of our 50th anniversary, making it larger than ever," LaSpisa said. "We were all dancing to the Stanley Paul Orchestra until well after midnight."
The Gottlieb Memorial Foundation generously underwrote costs for the black-tie fundraiser so that all proceeds from the dinner may directly benefit the hospital.
Many members of the Gottlieb founding family for whom the hospital is named attended the 50th celebration of the hospital established by Dorothy and David Gottlieb in 1961. “I remember when my father called me in to his office and told me he wanted to establish a hospital,” said Alvin Gottlieb, who comes to the Emerald Ball each year, traveling from his home in Florida. “This golden anniversary is a very emotional celebration."
Jack Weinberg, nephew of Alvin Gottlieb, is chairman of the Gottlieb Memorial Foundation and also is a member of the Board of Directors of Loyola University Health System. “Gottlieb Memorial Hospital was named by my grandparents in memory of their parents and founded as a way of giving back to the community,” he said. “It is important to remember them today, and the many other family members, such as my Uncle Alvin, who dedicated their lives to bringing the Gottlieb mission to life.” Weinberg was instrumental in the hospital’s affiliation with Loyola in 2008. He was awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service by Loyola in recognition of his exemplary leadership and philanthropic support, advocacy, community outreach and volunteerism.
The Emerald Ball has been held consistently on the first Saturday night in November for the last 50 years.
The Gottlieb Founding Family
The hospital was founded in 1961 by David Gottlieb, a successful Chicago businessman living in Oak Park, who named the hospital in memory of his parents. With a group of two dozen area businessmen, Gottlieb spent almost four years raising $4 million needed for planning and completion of the four-story, 122-bed hospital. David and his wife, Dorothy, contributed $750,000 to start the nonsectarian hospital.
Marjorie Gottlieb Weinberg, daughter of the founder, together with her husband, Judd, donated funding for a new hospital gift shop and helped with the hospital expansion. Mrs. Weinberg was a leader of the auxiliary, which has raised millions of dollars for the hospital and has funded many important additions. Marjorie Gottlieb Weinberg was instrumental in the design of the award-winning cancer center. Mrs. Weinberg passed away before construction was completed and the building was named the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center in her honor.
Alvin Gottlieb, son of the founder, took a long sabbatical from his successful business career to oversee the actual building of the hospital for his father. He dedicated himself to hospital operations for many years.
Jack Weinberg, grandson, and a successful businessman from Glencoe, remains active in Gottlieb hospital affairs.
Growth of Gottlieb
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital united with Loyola University Health System in 2008 and, with Loyola, became part of Trinity Health System in 2011. The 36-acre Gottlieb campus in Melrose Park offers a 264-licensed-bed community hospital with a Professional Office Building housing 150 private practice clinics, the Adult Day Care, the Gottlieb Center for Fitness and Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center. The Gottlieb Center for Immediate Care at River Forest, a member of the Loyola University Health System, will open in 2012.