Gazette Leader: Hospital inaugurates meditative garden on Arlington campus

$2 million gift from benefactor helped to make project reality

VHC Health (Virginia Hospital Center) recently dedicated a space on its main Arlington campus as the “Jeanne Whyte Kraft Sunken Garden” in recognition of a transformative $2 million gift.

Kraft’s philanthropic investment has provided support for campus renovations and the construction of the new Outpatient Pavilion. This gift serves as Kraft’s tribute to her parents, John and Louise Whyte, and stands as a testament to the extraordinary care provided by Dr. David Duhamel.

The garden is now open and serves as a tranquil space for patients and visitors, contributing to the healing environment at VHC Health. The sunken garden is located outside VHC Health’s new 250,000-square-foot Outpatient Pavilion.

Kraft is a philanthropist and founder of Assistech, a company specializing in proposal-development services within the federal, state, local and commercial information-technology markets.

VHC Health has held a special place in her family’s heart for 70 years, hospital officials said. Her father played an active role in raising funds for the expansion of what was then called Arlington Hospital in the early 1950s, recognizing the pivotal role of a local hospital.

“I take immense pride in supporting my local community-health system and its extraordinary medical team,” Kraft said. “The level of comfort I felt as a patient from my doctor, Dr. Duhamel, was exceptional. I have never encountered such dedicated and compassionate treatment from a physician. A local health system that delivers world-class care to the community is rare, and not everyone is fortunate to have access to one.”

“Jeanne’s gift is a special way of honoring her parents and investing in the future of health for the community,” said Anthony Burchard, president of the VHC Health Foundation. “The Sunken Garden is a healing green space that will provide comfort for so many – it is an honor to name it after Jeanne.”