The Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey announced on Wednesday that the new patient tower under construction at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital would be named in honor of John Silvestri and his family, who made a gift of $5 million to the Garden State arm of the organization—the single largest in its history.

“John Silvestri and his family have been wonderful advocates for our organization for over 30 years,” said Joseph Devine, president of Jefferson Health in New Jersey. “Their generous gift and the naming as the Silvestri Tower will provide a lasting legacy for their years of dedication to health care in southern New Jersey.”

“We are grateful and humbled to be able to support Jefferson Health, an institution that has had a profound impact on our lives and on the community,” said John Silvestri. “This patient tower is a testament to the vision of the leadership and board of Jefferson, and we’re excited to help make it a reality.”

According to Jefferson Health, the 243,557-square-foot, $184-million, seven-story patient tower at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital – slated for completion in summer 2021 – will feature 90 private rooms with amenities for families and the ability for patients to control their environment (lights, blinds and temperature) from their bed.

There will also be a new main entrance, with a spacious, light-filled, two-story lobby and amenities that include a modern café and cafeteria with outdoor dining. The tower will also have a new same-day surgery/recovery room, new admission and pre-admission testing, as well as shell space for potential expansion of radiology services and 30 additional patient rooms.

Silvestri serves on the board of trustees of Thomas Jefferson University, as vice chairman of the Jefferson Health – New Jersey Hospital board of trustees, and as a member of the Jefferson Health New Jersey board of directors. He has more than 25 years of service with the health care organization.

A past recipient of the New Jersey Hospital Association’s Healthcare Leader Award, Silvestri is known for his dynamic leadership style and unfailing commitment to South Jersey community members. A native of southern New Jersey, Silvestri is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Ann, reside in Haddonfield.