50 years of service. Countless lives impacted.

1976  Upstate Foundation incorporated

1979  Central New York Burn Treatment Unit opened

1981  George W. Perkins III Endowment for Neurosurgery established

1983  Regional Oncology Center opened

1983  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Fund established

1984  Upstate Foundation joined Children’s Miracle Network as one of its first members, establishing an annual fund for pediatric services

1985  First pediatric intensive care unit opened at Upstate with support from the Upstate Foundation

 

1987  George Reed, MD, Endowed Professorship in Otolaryngology established

1994  Alfred T. Murphy Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Endowment established

1986  First Children’s Miracle Network telethon premiered

1986  Support for operating room technology provided

1987  Academic Enrichment funds established

1988  Multidisciplinary Laser Program launched

1988  Endowment campaigns launched for Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pathology and Pediatrics

1989  Support for emergency services provided

1989  First Gala hosted

1990  Gustave and Rose Rothschild Endowment established

1991  David B. Jones/Robert F. Rohner Endowed Professorship in Pathology established; Support for comprehensive epilepsy program provided

1992  New alumni associations for colleges of Health Related Professions and Nursing established

1993  Heliport established with support from the Upstate Foundation

1995  Support for Pediatric Interhospital Transport Program provided

1995  Robert B. and Molly G. King Endowed Professorship in Neurosurgery established

1996  Eileen Pezzi, MPA, hired as first female vice president at Upstate Medical University; third executive director of the Upstate Foundation

1996  Friend in Deed hospital annual fund established

1996  Joslin Diabetes Center opens with support from the Upstate Foundation

1996  Campaign for E. Robert Heitzman Endowed Professorship in Radiological Research launched

1996  David G. Murray, MD, Endowed Professorship in Orthopedic Surgery established

1997  Vision 2000 endowment campaign launched (renamed in 2024: John A. Hoepner, MD, Endowed Professorship in Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences)

1997  John K., MD, and Mitzi Wolf Endowment for Neurological Education established

1998  John Bernard Henry, MD, Endowed Professorship in Experimental Pathology established

1998  Support provided for child life specialists, family resource librarian and other positions to enhance pediatric patient care

1999-2001  CNY Region Skins Game – largest area golf event with 6,000 attendees cheering Arnold Palmer

1999  Named giving program launched

2000  Commitment to support research provided

2001  Online giving through Upstate Foundation website launched

2003  Michael Connolly Lung Cancer Research Endowment established

2003  First Radiothon premiered

2003  Multi-year pledge program for corporate partnerships launched

2003  Children’s Hospital capital campaign launched

2005  Pediatric oncology center named in memory of William J. Waters, MD

2007  Dr. Michael & Rissa Ratner Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Surgery established

2007  Legacy giving program launched

2008  Support provided for acquisition and renovation of Sarah Loguen building

2009  Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital opened following $21 million capital campaign including naming gift from Tom Golisano

2010  Geneva Towers construction facilitated through Upstate Foundation/Upstate Properties Development Corp, LLC for University student and resident housing

2012  Edward Schroeder, MD/DCI Endowed Professorship in Nephrology established

2012  Community General Hospital Foundation merged with Upstate Foundation

2012  Upstate Golisano After Hours Care opened at Community campus

2013  Geriatric Emergency Department renovated at Community campus

2013  Pediatric PICU transport support continued

2014  Name changed to The Upstate Foundation, Inc; status changed to independent public charity

2014  Upstate Cancer Center opened following $20 million capital campaign

2015  Patient and family healing garden established at Community campus

2015  Matching gifts program launched

2015  Grateful Patient & Family Program launched

2016  Pediatric Emergency Department relocated with support from Upstate Foundation campaign

2018  Maternity unit and nursery at Community campus renovated following Brighter Beginnings campaign

2019  Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partnership expanded to Southern Tier

2019  Donor-advised funds offered

2020  Covid-19 relief funds established for patients and families, employees and students

2020  Eight-bed psychiatric inpatient unit for adolescents opened with support from Upstate Foundation campaign

2021  Golisano Center for Special Needs opened following Upstate Foundation campaign including naming gift from Tom Golisano

2023  Nappi Wellness Institute opened with naming gift from Sam and Carol Nappi

2024  Most contributions raised in Foundation history: $22 million, including Tom Golisano’s $10 million gift

2024  Record-breaking $14 million awarded by Upstate Foundation

2024  Charles Hodge, MD, Endowed Professorship in Neurosurgery established

2025  Golisano Children’s Pavilion opened following Child & Adolescent Mental Health Campaign

2025  Chung-Taik Chung, MD, Endowed Professorship in Radiation Oncology established

2025  Saktipada Mookherjee, MD, Endowed Professorship in Cardiology established