A New York couple whose granddaughter needed intensive care after birth is helping fund expanded medical care for newborns through a $10 million philanthropic commitment. According to Catholic Health’s official announcement, the $10 million matching commitment from the Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation is the largest philanthropic gift in the history of Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, Long Island. The funding will support the transformation and expansion of the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where critically ill and premature babies receive specialised treatment. The commitment will also match eligible community donations, encouraging more families and supporters to contribute to the project.
A family’s experience inspires a major gift
The donation comes from the Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation. Barbara Hrbek Zucker explained that her family experienced the need for specialised neonatal care when their youngest granddaughter was born and required intensive medical support. According to Catholic Health, the granddaughter received the care she needed and is now thriving. Barbara Hrbek Zucker said the family wanted to help ensure that other families could access specialised neonatal care close to home.The contribution is significant not only because of its size but also because it comes from a family that has personally experienced the uncertainty surrounding a newborn’s health. The foundation’s support is intended to help other families navigate similar circumstances with access to specialised medical teams and a more supportive hospital environment.
How the $10 million matching commitment will work
The foundation’s commitment is structured as a matching gift, meaning qualifying community donations will be matched dollar for dollar under the programme’s terms. Catholic Health is seeking the first $2.5 million in qualifying community commitments by the end of 2026, as part of a four-year effort to secure $10 million in community support. This approach is designed to encourage broader participation in the project. Rather than relying on a single philanthropic contribution, the hospital hopes to involve individuals, families and other donors in financing the NICU’s transformation.The matching arrangement can increase the impact of eligible donations while giving community members a direct way to support neonatal care. The overall fundraising effort will help advance the hospital’s plans to modernise the unit and provide resources for vulnerable newborns and their families.
What the upgraded neonatal unit will offer
The planned expansion and modernisation will introduce advanced medical equipment and technology, private patient rooms, and dedicated areas for family counselling, respite and support. A neonatal intensive care unit provides specialised treatment for newborns who need close monitoring or advanced medical intervention, including premature babies and infants with complex health conditions. Such care can require specialised equipment, continuous observation and coordinated work by doctors, nurses and other clinical professionals.The hospital intends to create an environment that supports both clinical needs and the emotional demands experienced by families. Private rooms can offer greater privacy during difficult periods, while designated counselling and respite areas can give parents space to receive guidance, rest and discuss their child’s care with medical teams. Justin Lundbye, president of Good Samaritan University Hospital, said the project would provide greater comfort and privacy for families while giving clinical teams an environment better suited to the care they deliver.
A regional centre for high-risk newborn care
Good Samaritan University Hospital, located in West Islip, is home to the only Level III NICU on the South Shore of Suffolk County, according to Catholic Health. It serves as an important regional destination for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies and families whose newborns need specialised care. The hospital delivered more than 2,500 babies in 2025, while its NICU treats hundreds of newborns each year. The planned improvements are intended to strengthen this service and help the hospital respond to the needs of families across the surrounding communities.The project also reflects the importance of having specialised neonatal services available close to home. When a baby needs intensive care, families may face extended hospital stays, uncertainty and significant emotional pressure. Access to experienced clinical teams and suitable facilities can help support babies while giving parents opportunities to remain involved in their care. The foundation’s gift will support the hospital’s effort to improve these services, while the matching campaign offers the wider community an opportunity to contribute to the project.
Investing in the future of neonatal care
The $10 million commitment marks a milestone in Good Samaritan University Hospital’s philanthropic history and gives its neonatal care expansion a substantial funding boost. It also demonstrates how personal experiences can motivate long-term investment in healthcare services that benefit other families.For the Zucker family, the gift is rooted in gratitude for the specialised care their granddaughter received. For the hospital, it represents an opportunity to modernise its NICU, strengthen family support and continue caring for vulnerable newborns across Long Island. With additional community donations expected to be matched through the programme, the initiative aims to turn one family’s experience into a wider investment in neonatal care.
About The Author
