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LEADING ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER FATHER MARTIN’S ASHLEY RECEIVES $13M GIFT TO BUILD NEW FACILITY ON HAVRE DE GRACE CAMPUS
Foundation of Late Maryland Businessman Bestows Gift; Ashley Launches Campaign to Raise Additional Funds for Building to Meet Complex Needs of 21st Century Addiction Patient

•     Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment will facilitate integrated, individualized treatment designed for today’s patients who require a multi-disciplinary approach
•     Generous gift recognizes addiction as our nation’s most serious public health crisis and further validates Ashley’s approach to addiction treatment
•    Capital campaign in progress to raise additional funds toward $20 million goal

HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND (June 11, 2014) — Father Martin’s Ashley, the nationally recognized private, non-profit alcoholism and drug addiction treatment center, today announced it received a gift of $13 million from the Skip Viragh Foundation to support the construction of Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment, a new 44,000 square foot building on its campus outside of Baltimore, Maryland. The gift is among the largest ever given to a non-profit addiction treatment center.

Skip Viragh founded Rydex Investments in Rockville, Maryland, and grew the business from a three-person team to a 200-employee operation with $10 billion in assets under management. One of the hallmarks of Viragh’s legacy has been his commitment to philanthropic support of medical research, education and charities that assist families and children. Those who knew him say Skip was not defined by his success as a businessman but by his commitment and dedication to helping others. Skip passed away on December 11, 2003.

Ashley has launched a capital campaign to raise the additional funds required to build the new facility, which is designed to treat the 21st century addiction patient. To date, Ashley raised $18 million of the $20 million goal. Ashley broke ground for the new building today and projects the opening for fall 2015.

“Historically, large gifts are given to health issues other than addiction. A gift of this magnitude signifies a deep understanding of addiction as our nation’s most serious public health crisis and further validates Ashley’s approach to addiction treatment,” said Fr. Mark Hushen, O.S.F.S., president and CEO for Father Martin’s Ashley. “Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment reflects Ashley’s nearly 32-year commitment to treating the whole person – the biological, psychological, social and spiritual health of each patient.”

Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment will create dedicated space to deliver innovative programs and services to treat the evolving needs of addiction patients. The new structure will provide a larger platform for Ashley’s recently introduced Pain Recovery Program as well as a Wellness & Fitness Center, Admissions and Nursing. Addiction to pain medication continues to rise. Ashley has treated thousands of patients addicted to pain and other prescription medications.

“We are treating an increasing number of patients who are dealing with addiction to multiple substances and complex medical challenges,” said Dr. Bernadette Solounias, M.D., vice president of treatment services at Father Martin’s Ashley. “Research has evolved dramatically in the last five to 10 years and we know much more about addiction as a brain disease as well as the role of co-occurring medical conditions, both physical and behavioral. The new building will facilitate integrated, individualized treatment designed for the 21st century patient who requires a multi-disciplinary approach.”

Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment will allow Ashley to treat a total of 100 patients at a time, offering primarily single or double-occupancy rooms for greater privacy and comfort. This capability responds to the challenges of the 21st century patient who may require a 24/7 certified nursing assistant or special consideration when dealing with co-occurring medical or psychological conditions.

The design of the space streamlines the admitting process for patients and their families – seamlessly transitioning from admissions to medical assessment to residence. This will reduce the stress often associated with the decision to seek treatment. Additionally, Skip’s Hall will house the Pain Recovery Program allowing patients in that program to move easily from one treatment modality to another maximizing their time in active therapies and as a cohesive therapeutic group.

The new facility will enable a stronger therapeutic alliance between the patient and his or her treatment team. As an example, multiple nursing stations will allow for faster and easier distribution of medicines to accommodate today’s patients who often require multiple medications at more frequent intervals.

“Skip’s generous gift toward the creation of this new facility will greatly enhance our ability to help those suffering with the disease of addiction and their loved ones find a path to healing,” said Hushen. “We are well aware that addiction is often the source of many of our society’s problems. Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment will enable us to make a larger impact on reversing the dangerous addiction trends in our local region and beyond.”

The Campaign
A total of $20 million is required to complete Skip’s Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment. Ashley named the fundraising effort, “The Father Martin Legacy Campaign” to honor one of the organization’s founders and addiction recovery pioneer. In addition to establishing Ashley with co-founder Mae Abraham, the late Father Joseph C. Martin is considered instrumental in changing the face of addiction treatment through his “Chalk Talk” videos, which are still used around the world. To learn more about the Father Martin Legacy Campaign, contact Catherine Hryncewich, vice president of development for Ashley, atchryncewich@ashleytreatment.org.

ABOUT FATHER MARTIN’S ASHLEY
Father Martin’s Ashley is a nationally-recognized leader in the treatment of alcoholism and chemical dependence. Accredited by The Joint Commission and located on a 147-acre campus in Havre de Grace, Maryland, Father Martin’s Ashley has helped chemically-dependent people, those in recovery, and their families, since its co-founding by Father Joseph C. Martin, S.S., and Mae Abraham in 1983. Father Martin’s Ashley is a division of Ashley, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and has treated nearly 40,000 patients, offering inpatient treatment as well as sobriety enrichment, community and family and children’s educational programs.