COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus family made a $50 million commitment to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s hospital tower project.
The gift made by the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation was the largest gift ever made to the medical center, Ohio State said on Monday.
University President Ted Carter Jr. joined other school leaders and Gov. Mike DeWine in making the announcement.
“This is a special day for our university, our region and our state,” said Carter Jr. “John F. Wolfe’s family and the Wolfe Foundation are building on his lifelong commitment to creating a bright future for the Columbus community. We are grateful for their remarkable investment in the inpatient tower and our medical center. It will enable us to continue serving Ohioans and providing expert care to patients and families that Is at the forefront of medicine.”
The inpatient tower that's set to open in 2026 will have two spots named after the Wolfe family: the John F. Wolfe Lobby and the Wolfe Foundation Crossroads. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will vote at its February meeting whether to approve the dedicated spaces.
“Few people know, or will ever know, even half of the good works John F. Wolfe and Ann Wolfe put their shoulders behind to benefit Columbus and central Ohio. They preferred to be a quiet force for good with lasting impact,” DeWine said. “I think John F. Wolfe would be delighted about his family’s continued efforts to improve the quality of life in central Ohio, and health care is vital to quality of life.”
John Wolfe was known as the publisher of The Columbus Dispatch, former owner of CBS affiliate WBNS-TV and served as chair and CEO of The Dispatch Printing Company. According to Ohio State, Wolfe spent much of his time and resources toward growing the university and its health care system through more than 20 years of service on various boards.
The Wolfe family has also made contributions to other Columbus institutions, including COSI, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Scioto Mile and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
“Through this transformational gift honoring John F. Wolfe, the Wolfe family and the Wolfe Foundation remain steadfast in their commitment to improving people’s lives within our community. John F. Wolfe’s legacy as a community leader and philanthropist is still helping to shape the skyline of Columbus, and we are honored that our vision for the future of the Wexner Medical Center aligns with what he and others envisioned for the future of central Ohio and the entire state,“ said John Warner, CEO of the Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State.
As of Monday, the university said the inpatient tower is 75% complete. It’s designed for flexible and team-based care that centers around the patient and their family.
The university said the tower will allow for collaborative teaching, research and clinical trials throughout the building. With up to 820 private rooms and 51 neonatal intensive care beds, it will add much-needed capacity to care for the growing capacity.