ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The University of Rochester Medical Center received the largest single gift in its history on Tuesday. Tom Golisano donated $50 million for a new institute for intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

 “I have great expectations for it, even though I probably won’t be here for the best part of it. But it is certainly something worthwhile, and I think we got the right organization, the right leader to get us there,” Golisano said. 

 This donation hits close to home for Golisano, whose son has a developmental disability. The idea for the institute came about five years ago when Dr. John Foxe, (Killian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Chair in Neuroscience and director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience) said there was room to do better. The university has three federal designations for intellectual and developmental disabilities. So Foxe thought, why not do something big? 

 “You know he basically challenged us, said get it together, make investments, show me that you are serious about this, and I think we did that in spades, and hence the $50 million dollars today. It’s some day for us!” Foxe said. 

The money will create a new institute and put all resources in one place — including dental care, research, complex care, and more.

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