Gift to support the Department of Neurology's Spine Oncology Program
The gift, to be paid in full by June 30, 2024, is personal to Dr. and Mrs. Rifkin as a close family member has and continues to be treated in this program led by Dr. Nicholas Theodore, director of the Johns Hopkins Neurosurgical Spine Center with whom they now have a close relationship. The first $2.4 million dollars was remitted last week. The capital funding portion of this gift at $2.3 million is earmarked for equipment for Dr. Theodore's lab located at Johns Hopkins Bayview, a part of the Johns Hopkins Health System. This equipment will be used in whole or in part for clinical patient care and/or research at the University. The balance of the gift of $3.4 million is designated for the University. "I am deeply appreciative for the generous gift provided by Dr. Scott Rifkin and Frances Rifkin to support our efforts at Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery in making significant advances in spinal oncology," said Dr. Theodore. "Along with my colleague Dr. Daniel Lubelski we will be launching a robust research effort that will include imaging, robotics, radiation, digital phenotyping, development of bio-markers and ultimately novel chemotherapies. This gift will transform our ability to make inroads on many fronts and I look forward to our partnership," he added.
"Dr. Theodore's research and compassion has been integral in helping our family navigate serious medical issues, said Dr. Rifkin. "I am so grateful for his groundbreaking work in spinal disorders and honored that Fran and I can support his work with a significant gift that will continue to help move his research and treatments forward making a difference for patients today and well into the future," he added. Dr. Scott Rifkin, an Internist who practiced for twenty years in Owings Mills, has spent his decades-long career focused on improving the health of vulnerable seniors in skilled nursing facilitates as the founder of Real Time Medical Systems and Provider Partners Health Plans. He is the former CEO of Mid- Atlantic Healthcare. Frances, a Registered Nurse, is committed to various animal welfare efforts. Real Time's suite of Interventional Analytics solutions enables long-term and post-acute care facilities to seamlessly collaborate with their partner hospitals, health systems, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and managed care plans to improve care, reduce costs, and achieve a level of interoperability.
Provider Partners Health Plans (PPHP) is a Medicare Advantage HMO plan for individuals enrolled in Medicare who reside in long-term care facilities. In partnership with local care teams, PPHP provides improved and more coordinated care that keeps members healthier.