Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation Makes $6 Million Transformational Gift to Beebe Medical Foundation
The Beebe Medical Foundation announced that it has received its second largest philanthropic gift in Beebe Healthcare’s 108-year history from Rocco and Mary Abessinio and their family.
In recognition of this transformational gift, Beebe Healthcare will name its Rehoboth Health Campus the “Abessinio Health Campus” located on John J. Williams Highway and Warrington Road.
“Our family is very proud to make this gift to Beebe Healthcare, and we believe that all families and communities deserve better access and excellence in healthcare that Beebe provides,” said Rocco Abessinio. “It is an honor for our family to support the expansion of this community-focused healthcare system in Sussex County.”
The Abessinio Health Campus features the Specialty Surgical Hospital, Tunnell Cancer Center, Medical Arts Building, Center for Breast Health, and Beebe Outpatient Surgery Center.
“Since 1916, Beebe Healthcare has been able to meet the needs of Sussex County,” said Thomas J. Protack, President of the Beebe Medical Foundation. “That commitment and journey has required vision and generosity.”
Beebe Hospital was founded with a philanthropic gift of $100,000 from Helen and Benjamin Shaw to Drs. James and Richard Beebe to build the first hospital on the historic Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus.
“The Abessinio Family now joins in this legacy of visionaries by giving their support to the healthcare services on our Abessinio Health Campus,” Protack said. “I am very grateful for their strong support and investment. This gift will help us grow even more closer to reaching our $30 million goal for the current ‘Sussex Supports Beebe Healthcare’ comprehensive campaign.”
Current research predicts that the population growth in Sussex County will more than double the national average by 2027.
“With our region’s anticipated growth comes an expected increase in patients that will need more access to healthcare,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “Sussex County is and remains our specialty. This very generous gift from the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation will help us advance patient care even more as we grow for the future. I am very thankful to Rocco and Mary and their family for this transformational gift.”
The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation Inc. was established in 2001. Through Rocco and Mary’s leadership, the foundation has funded scholarships, capital campaigns, and social programs for deserving people principally in education, religious, and health initiatives for local communities and throughout the US. Rocco, the son of Italian immigrants, began his career in banking and held multiple management positions before starting his own companies, namely Applied Card Systems Inc. and Applied Bank (formerly Cross Country Bank). Rocco’s companies grew to become a top 10 issuer of Visa and MasterCard credit cards nationwide. Additionally, Applied Bank offers consumer and commercial products from its branches located in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
Outside of banking, Rocco’s business success continued in several international food product businesses, commercial and residential real estate, and private equity investing. A native of Wilmington, Rocco is a proud graduate of Salesianum High School and attended the University of Delaware. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business and an honorary degree from Neumann University. Rocco and Mary currently reside in Boca Raton, Florida. They spend their summers in Rehoboth Beach with their four children, their spouses, and 12 grandchildren.
A special ceremony celebrating Beebe’s gratitude with the Abessinio Family, Beebe Healthcare leadership, Beebe Medical Foundation leaders, and members of the clinical teams who serve on the Abessinio Health Campus will take place in the near future.