Element Financial announced it is donating $15 million toward the construction of a new patient care tower for critically ill patients at St. Michael’s Hospital in downtown Toronto. The 17-storey tower is being purposely designed to transform patient care as St. Michael’s seeks to become the premier critical care hospital in Canada.

“The services provided by St. Michael’s Hospital help to make the Greater Toronto Area a compelling place to live for people who work in our industry,” said Steven K. Hudson, Element’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We depend on the availability of a world-class, well-educated workforce and recognize how important institutions like St. Michael’s Hospital are to sustaining the profitability and growth of our business. That’s why we are investing $15 million over the next five years in St. Michael’s to help ensure that the Greater Toronto Area remains such a great place to live and work.”

This is the single largest gift St. Michael’s has ever received from a corporation. It was made as part of the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation’s Inspire 2018 fundraising campaign.

In appreciation for the gift, the atrium in the new tower, which is intended to be the heart of the hospital, will be named the Element Financial Atrium. A new pedestrian highway running throughout the first floor, improving way-finding for patients and visitors, will be known as Element Financial Way.