$120 million new gift from Catherine and Anthony Clifton for university hospital pavilion
The University of Pennsylvania has announced a landmark donation exceeding $120 million from philanthropists Catherine and Anthony Clifton to Penn Medicine.
In recognition, the Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania will be renamed The Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs.
Opened in October 2021, the $1.6 billion Clifton Center is the largest capital project in Penn’s history. Designed by Foster + Partners, it features 47 operating rooms and 504 private patient rooms, designed for patient comfort and family support.
The center has already cared for hundreds of thousands of patients, with 213,000 emergency department visits, 1,720 organ transplants, and 110 surgical procedures performed daily. It also plays a key role in clinical research, involving over 350,000 patients in groundbreaking studies like CAR T cell therapy for glioblastoma and advanced MRI techniques for coma recovery prediction.
The Cliftons, longtime supporters of Penn Medicine, are deeply committed to advancing innovative, accessible, and compassionate healthcare. Catherine Clifton, a University of Pennsylvania alumna, holds degrees in city and regional planning from Penn and a master’s degree from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. A Penn Medicine Board member since 2010, she has also served on the Kimmel Center Board, Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and other civic organizations.
Anthony Clifton is the principal owner and founder of AAC Holdings LLC, a consulting firm for small businesses and senior managers. His career includes leadership roles at Comcast Corporation, State Street Bank, First National Bank of Chicago, and the UK Treasury Department.
In a joint statement, the Cliftons expressed hope that The Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs will catalyze future medical discoveries. Penn leaders praised their generosity, with Interim President J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, noting its profound impact on patient care, research, and education. Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, emphasized that the center will push the boundaries of medicine, advance research, and train future physicians.
Lord Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners, commended the Cliftons for their dedication to patient-centered care and stated that their gift will further enhance the facility’s human experience.
This extraordinary contribution cements the Cliftons’ legacy within Penn Medicine and strengthens the institution’s ability to redefine healthcare for future generations.