Saint Joseph’s Hospital has received a commitment of $5 million from William B. Erb for the creation of the Florence Hays Erb Cancer Center on the hospital’s Sandy Springs campus. This is the largest philanthropic gift in Saint Joseph’s history.
“It has been the tradition of Saint Joseph’s to name rooms and a single building in honor of Sisters of Mercy who have faithfully served the Atlanta community for more than 127 years. This will be the first time Saint Joseph’s will name a facility in honor of a donor. We can’t think of a more deserving way to recognize Bill Erb for his generosity to our lung cancer program,” says Sister Jane Gerety, RSM, senior vice president, sponsorship.
The generous gift is being made in memory of Florence Hays Erb, who recently passed away due to lung cancer. Florrie Erb was an entrepreneur and co-founder of ERB Industries with her husband, Bill, a graduate of The Georgia Institute of Technolgoy and M.I.T. Florrie was a mentor to many and shared her nature as a quintessential “overcomer” with all who knew her.
“Florrie’s lung cancer brought her to Saint Joseph’s and helped her appreciate the hospital’s vision of becoming the leading lung cancer treatment program in the Southeast,” says her husband, Bill. “This gift, made in her honor by her family will provide expanded services at Saint Joseph’s for lung cancer patients and their families.”
Saint Joseph’s, recognized as Georgia’s only top 50 U.S. hospital, already has a comprehensive cancer program which includes some of the region’s most experienced physicians, surgeons and radiotherapists, as well as the most advanced treatment technologies. This gift will expand this distinction by adding lung cancer research projects in conjunction with Saint Joseph’s Research Institute; providing more community education and patient programs; increasing availability of screenings for indigent and low income patients; and attracting renowned oncology physicians to practice at Saint Joseph’s.
“The Erb family believes in giving back to the community, even in times of personal sorrow,” says Kirk Wilson, president & CEO, Saint Joseph’s Health System. “We are honored to be the recipient of their generosity and support for our mission to provide excellent and compassionate medical care.”
“I feel honored to be associated with an organization as prominent as Saint Joseph’s. My Florrie will be dancing with the angels in heaven as we celebrate this great honor, and I am so happy,” says Mr. Erb.
About ERB Industries
ERB Industries, Inc., headquartered in Woodstock, Ga, is a manufacturer of personal protective equipment and uniform apparel. The employee-owned company was founded in 1956 by Florrie and Bill Erb. Bill, a graduate of Georgia Technical Institute and M.I.T., purchased his first injection-molding machine to manufacture plastic products on a contract basis. In the 1970’s, the company purchased land in Woodstock, Georgia and a manufacturing plant was built. ERB Safety soon started producing safety helmets and expanded the product line to provide a full line of safety products including work aprons. As the service industry expanded, Florrie Erb created a sister company in 1972 to manufacture top-quality aprons. Fame Fabrics was established to give the hospitality industry a quality choice in uniform apparel. As the market demand of the apparel division increased, ERB Industries opened a sewing plant in Jasper, Georgia in 1991. Fame Fabrics has continued to expand its line to offer coordinating products such as vests, smocks, denim, head wear and chef apparel. For more information, visit the web site at www.e-erb.com.
For more information contact Lynn Peterson, marketing and media relations specialist, at 404-851-5849.
