Iris and Michael Smith Donate $5 Million for New Clinical and Research Building
The newest building at National Jewish will be named for Iris and Michael Smith, who generously donated $5 million to construct the six-story clinic and research facility, which opened this spring.
The 90,000 square-foot Iris and Michael Smith Clinics and Laboratories will house patient services, including adult clinics, the rehabilitation department and basic research laboratories.
The dedication ceremony for this fantastic new facility was held May 17 -19.
“I’m overwhelmed by the magnanimous contribution from Iris and Michael Smith,” said Lynn M. Taussig, MD, former President and CEO of National Jewish. “That they entrust us with this wonderful gift shows their confidence in this institution and acknowledgement of our important mission.”
Iris Smith is Chair, President and Treasurer of the Kaitar Foundation; Mr. Smith serves as the Vice-Chair and Secretary. The Kaitar Foundation has given to numerous Colorado charities. Mrs. Smith’s philanthropic interests include serving on the Boards of The Children’s Developmental Center in New York, The Woman of Tomorrow in Miami, and Baypoint Schools in Coral Gables, Florida. Although the Smith family moved from Denver, Mrs. Smith continues to support many Colorado charities through her philanthropy.
Michael Smith is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Freeport LNG Development, L.P., in Houston, Texas. Freeport LNG is currently building the first liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in the United States in over two decades. Mr. Smith was previously the founder, CEO, President and largest shareholder in Colorado’s Basin Exploration until its sale in February 2001. Currently a Trustee for National Jewish, he was formerly a member of its Board of Directors.
The Iris and Michael Smith Clinics and Laboratories at National Jewish is at the heart of the institution’s Road Ahead capital campaign, which aims to raise $31.2 million. The first two floors of the six-floor building will be dedicated to patient care, expanding and improving the adult clinics and the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation Center for Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The top four floors will feature state-of-the-art research laboratories focusing on asthma, allergy, immunology, inflammation and environmental and occupational health. The building will also house the Center for Environmental Health Research and Service, funded by the federal government.
For more information, please contact the Development Office.
