Copyright WDIV ClickOnDetroit
PONTIAC, Mich. – An Oakland County hospital has received a $4 million gift to support its farm operations and establish a new food distribution center. Trinity Health Oakland, which is located at 4405 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, received the planned gift from Ross Weinstein, M.D., a retired emergency department physician at the hospital and a loyal donor. Dr. Weinstein started the Susan Weinstein Alberts Endowed Farming Fund in 2021 in memory of his sister, according to a release from the hospital. The funds from the $4 million gift will support Trinity Health Oakland’s hospital-based farm, a new food distribution center on the hospital’s campus, and the endowment. “I am inspired by The Farm’s work to feed those in our community that are food insecure,” said Dr. Weinstein. “As a serious gardener, I like the forward-thinking idea of connecting nutrition to more traditional medicine, as well as community and resident education. I’m so impressed with how far The Farm has come in just five years, and I’m excited to make this planned gift to support the construction of a food hub, which is a key piece in fully realizing the vision of The Farm.” The Farm spans 1.3 acres and is located outside Trinity Health Oakland’s North Entrance. It was created in 2020 and features a cut flower garden, herb garden, two hoop houses, and a pavilion for meals and community gatherings. The hospital said the new food hub will support a wider range of programs, including cooking demonstrations, culinary education classes, community gatherings and more to provide people with resources that support long-term wellness. “At Trinity Health, we believe that food is medicine,” said Fabian Fregoli, M.D., chief medical officer and president of Trinity Health Oakland. “Whether it’s during a visit to the emergency department or a routine check-up, we’re committed to meeting our patients where they are, connecting them not only with high-quality medical care, but also with access to nutritious food and education. These early connections and physician-to-patient conversations can lead to small but meaningful lifestyle changes that dramatically improve a patient’s quality and length of life.” The Farm is part of the hospital’s Food is Medicine initiative, and Trinity Health also has similar farms at its Ann Arbor and Muskegon hospitals.
