Former Marblehead Resident Pledges Historic Donation To NSMC

SALEM, MA – North Shore Medical Center announced the largest donation ever received in its 144-year history this week. Longtime Marblehead resident Arthur J. Epstein pledged $5 million toward NSMC's plan to build a behavioral health center at its Salem campus.

The center will be named in honor of Epstein, and will add 24 new beds to the area for psychiatry and behavioral health care. According to a statement from NSMC, the center will integrate addiction treatment with inpatient and outpatient care, mental health services, and community programs.

"Many families face mental health or addiction issues and they often struggle to find high-quality care," said Epstein. "I’m proud to support North Shore Medical Center’s efforts to address this dire need in our health care system, and I’m grateful that North Shore families will have a place to go where they are assured their loved ones will receive excellent care."

The new facility is expected to open in fall 2019.

"North Shore Medical Center is deeply grateful for Arthur Epstein’s extraordinary support," said NSMC president David Roberts, M.D. "There is increasing demand for behavioral health services across the country and throughout local communities here on the North Shore. Arthur’s generosity will enable NSMC to build a state-of-the-art facility to provide much needed care to the children, adults and seniors of this region."

Epstein lived in Marblehead with his family for more than 50 years, and currently lives in Brookline. His first major donation to NSMC was in 2002, and he has served on the Board of Trustees since 2006. The NSMC statement noted that Epstein is an entrepreneur and investor, and began his career with Midas Muffler in 1965.

Earlier this year, Epstein pledged $5 million to Cohen Hillel Academy, an independent Jewish school in Marblehead. The school will be renamed after Epstein this summer.

Image via NSMC. (From left to right): David Torchiana, M.D., CEO of Partners HealthCare, DavidRoberts, M.D., President of North Shore Medical Center, Arthur Epstein and Brian McCarthy, both members of the NSMC Board of Trustees. They are seen at an event celebrating Epstein’s historic gift to NSMC.