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As part of its 126th anniversary celebration, Vickie and Jack Farber will be honored at a Gala for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Monday evening, Nov. 8, at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel.

In recognition of their service to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the greater Philadelphia community, the Farbers will receive the hospital’s Award of Merit.

One hundred twenty-sixth anniversary dinner honorary chair is Mrs. Walter H. Annenberg. The dinner co-chairs are: Ira Brind, Barbara and Dr. Todd Albert and Suzanne and Jim Ksansnak.

The Award of Merit, being presented to Vickie and Jack Farber, recognizes accomplished Philadelphians who have enhanced the medical experience through leadership, contribution and innovation.

 “Mr. and Mrs. Farber have devoted themselves to taking an active role in advancing medicine and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience are the better for it,” said Mr. and Mrs. Ksansnak.

Pictured from left, honorees Jack and Vickie Farber acknowledge the applause of  guests at the gala for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s 126th anniversary celebration at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. The Farbers, in recognition of their service to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the greater Philadelphia community, received the hospital’s Award of Merit at the event.

Mr. and Mrs. Farber have given generously to Jefferson in the past. He established both the Farber Health Professions Scholars Program in the Jefferson College of Health Professions, the Farber Fellowship awarded annually since 1989 to a student in the Master of Science degree program in rehabilitative nursing, and created a Geriatric Fellowship in the Department of Family Medicine. Mrs. Farber is an active member of the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Women’s Board as well as the Board of Overseers of the ALS Chapter of Greater Philadelphia and a member of the Education Board of the National Liberty Museum.

The Farber Institute for Neurosciences is a multidisciplinary center focusing its efforts on basic and clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders. 

In December 2001, the Farber Family Foundation, Inc., announced a gift of $10 million to Thomas Jefferson University to establish this new neurosciences research institute, one of the largest gifts the university has ever received. Mr. Farber, president of the Farber Family Foundation, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of CSS Industries Inc., of Philadelphia, and his wife have been touched personally by neurodegenerative diseases.

Mrs. Farber's father died from ALS; her mother died with Alzheimer's disease.

Although Jefferson physicians were treating patients as early as 1825, it wasn’t until September 17, 1877, that Jefferson Medical College Hospital opened as a stand-alone facility.

Jefferson University Hospital is one of only a few hospitals in the United States that is both a Level I Trauma Center and a federally designated regional spinal cord injury center. The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson is designated as a clinical cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.

Over the years, U.S.News and World Report has consistently ranked many of Jefferson's services as among the best in the nation. These include cardiology/cardiac surgery, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, cancer, digestive disorders (gastroenterology), geriatrics, gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery, which are both based at the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, and urology.

In addition, Jefferson physicians have been named among the best doctors by Philadelphia Magazine and by Best Doctors in America.

Jefferson has been ranked among “The Top Hospitals In America” by Modern Maturity, AARP’s magazine for people over 50.

This year, for the eighth year in a row, Jefferson University Hospital has been awarded the Consumer Choice Award by the National Research Corporation (NRC), for being an innovator and leader in health care in Philadelphia.

In addition, Jefferson University Hospital was the recipient of the HealthGrades 2004 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence. ™

For information about reservations for the Jefferson University Hospital 126th Anniversary Celebration, call 215-955-9100.