HdG Addiction Treatment Center Gets $13 Million Gift

Father Martin's Ashley received a significant gift recently, which will help it serve nearly 20 percent more people at its inpatient facility off Tydings Lane.

The Skip Viragh Foundation provided a $13 million donation to the drug and alcohol treatment center in Havre de Grace for a new building, according to the Baltimore Business Journal.

Viragh was a Maryland investor known for his financial contributions to the medical field, according to The Baltimore Sun.

"Historically, large gifts are given to health issues other than addiction," Fr. Mark Hushen, president/CEO of Father Martin's Ashley, said. "A gift of this magnitude signifies a deep understanding of addiction as our nation's most serious public health crisis..."

Father Martin's announced last year it planned to expand its facility from 85 beds to 100 beds to meet the demand for treatment and to keep its offerings, like the number of patients per room, up to the industry standard.

"Skip's Hall for Integrated Addiction Treatment" broke ground on Thursday, according to Marketwired, which reported the 44,000-square-foot building will house an intake area, fitness and wellness center, nursing stations and coordinated treatment.

The expansion project is intended to serve the "21st-century patient" who may have addictions to multiple substances and complex medical conditions requiring various services in one building, according to Marketwired.

The $13 million gift from the Skip Viragh Foundation will go toward the $20 million project, according to the Baltimore Business Journal, which reports Father Martin's has raised funds and created a capital campaign to cover the $2 million it still needs.

Father Martin's Ashley projects completion of its new center by 2015.

Related: Father Martin's Ashley Looks to Expand