For the second time in a little more than two years, Martin Memorial Health Systems has honored David Smythe by naming something after him.
On Aug. 10, 2009, Smythe made a cash gift of $2 million to Martin Memorial, benefiting children’s services at the health system. In gratitude for his generosity, on Jan. 7 the David L. Smythe Center for Children was commemorated at Martin Memorial Medical Center.
Smythe also made a $500,000 gift to Martin Memorial in June 2008 after being impressed with the care he received at the health system’s wound medicine center. In November 2008, the David L. Smythe Wound Center officially opened its doors after moving from its previous location to a new office at 314 Hospital Ave. in Stuart.
“You receive a tremendous benefit from the act of giving,” Smythe said. “I wanted to be able to help children and their families and this is one way I can accomplish that.”
Funds from the gift will be used to support Martin Memorial’s maternal-child, pediatric rehabilitation and pediatric programs in Martin and St. Lucie counties. In addition, an endowment established by the gift will also provide annual funding for those programs as well as other programs within the health system.
Smythe, who splits his time between Stuart and Summit, N.J., has had a long history of community involvement, thanks in part to his business success. In 1959 he purchased an American Motor Corp. franchise in Summit and a few years later opened Smythe Volvo there. Today, the Smythe Volvo Organization is celebrating 50 years in the automobile sales industry and is one of the largest Volvo dealerships in the United States.
“David exemplifies the partnership we share with the communities we serve,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer. “He truly understands the critical role philanthropy plays in providing exceptional health care, and he has provided a perfect example of how one person’s compassion can help improve countless lives.”
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