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It鈥檚 the largest private donation in Shore Regional Health history and one of the largest ever across the statewide University of Maryland Medical System.

The woman, who has requested to remain anonymous, was born over 90 years ago at the former Memorial Hospital in Easton. Shore Regional Health President Ken Kozel said in an interview that he was 鈥渦tterly amazed鈥� at the family鈥檚 generosity when he learned of the pledge.

鈥淚 see a woman and a family who just have the kindest heart and the biggest spirit for other people, the health and wellbeing of other people,鈥� Kozel said.

The $25 million will go toward Shore Regional Health鈥檚 new medical center, a near $550 million endeavor which is under construction on Longwoods Road. It is expected to open in 2028, replacing the current hospital on South Washington Street.

Rebecca Bair, vice president of philanthropy for Shore Regional Health, and members of her team made the donation possible. Kozel said it has been a yearlong process.

When Kozel spoke to the donor, they discussed how rural Americans often struggle accessing quality health care.

鈥淩ural hospitals are closing all around the country,鈥� Kozel said. 鈥淎nd those that haven鈥檛 closed yet are at risk for closure because of mainly financial challenges.鈥�

Easton鈥檚 new hospital has been touted as a game-changer for Eastern Shore residents. It will be over 100,000 square feet larger than the town鈥檚 current hospital, improve efficiency within the medical center鈥檚 different departments and increase accessibility with its proximity to Route 50.

During early stages of planning the new medical center, Kozel said $25 million was the first 鈥渃oncept of a goal鈥� leaders had for a fundraising mark. That 鈥渟eemed like an incredible challenge鈥� years ago, he said, but now they鈥檙e hoping to quadruple that number.

According to Shore Regional Health leaders, the recent $25 million gift has allowed the organization to expand its capital fundraising campaign from $50 million to $100 million. So far, $62.5 million has been donated, which has all been during the 鈥渟ilent phase鈥� of fundraising, Kozel said.

The $100 million campaign aims to bring funds not just to facilitate the construction of the new hospital, but what comes after as well, Kozel said. This includes recruitment and retention efforts, technology improvements and advancements to clinical services such as women鈥檚 health.

鈥淗er gift has been the catalyst and the catapult,鈥� Kozel said of the Talbot County donor.