FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VHC Health Honors Jeanne Whyte Kraft’s $2 Million Gift with Sunken Garden Naming
Arlington, VA (November 15, 2023) – VHC Health, a community-based health system providing medical services to the Washington, DC metropolitan area, has proudly dedicated a sunken garden as the "Jeanne Whyte Kraft Sunken Garden" in recognition of a transformative $2 million gift. Her philanthropic investment has provided support for campus renovations and the construction of the new Outpatient Pavilion. This gift serves as a tribute to her parents, John A. Whyte and Louise D. Whyte, and stands as a testament to the extraordinary care provided by Dr. David Duhamel.
Jeanne Whyte Kraft is a philanthropist and founder of Assistech, Inc., a company specializing in proposal development services within the federal, state, and local, and commercial information technology markets. VHC Health has held a special place in her and her family’s heart for 70 years. Her father had 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 in providing care for all illnesses.
"I take immense pride in supporting my local community health system and its extraordinary medical team,” said Jeanne Whyte Kraft. “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."
The "Jeanne Whyte Kraft Sunken 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.
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About VHC HealthTM: VHC Health provides exceptional medical services as our region’s community health system. Virginia Hospital Center was designated a 2021 Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group. In 2022, the Hospital was selected for an 11th consecutive Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ and a 21st consecutive ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group. Virginia Hospital Center is a 453-bed not-for-profit teaching facility and designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. VHC Health is a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network – a national network of independent healthcare organizations.
