<p><a href="mailto:allenre@interlochen.org"><em>By Bob Allen</em></a></p> <p>A private foundation has given the largest gift ever to Munson Medical Center. Eight million dollars from the Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation will go the Munson's heart center.</p> <p>Ed Ness, president of Munson Healthcare System, says the Webbers want to support regional care. And cardiac patients from 20 counties are referred to the hospital in Traverse City.</p> <p>"Munson's program, which has been named one of the top cardiovascular programs in the country, to have that in a rural area is pretty unique," Ness says. "And it's something the people of northern Michigan should be proud of."</p> <p>The donation will be used to keep pace with the latest technology and procedures for treating cardiac patients. Munson has one of two bypass surgical groups in Michigan listed by Consumer Reports among the top 50 in the country.<strong> </strong></p> <p>"We have a plan that over time we would utilize this gift for purchase of clinical equipment and specialty programs,"<strong> </strong>Ness says.</p> <p>Wayne Webber grew up in Thompsonville in Benzie County. He co-founded a concrete company that grew into a large highway construction firm in the Detroit area. The heart center at Munson will be renamed for his family.</p>
Largest Donation Ever Goes To Munson's Heart Center
