The Reporter: February 1997, Vol.8, No.1
Columbia's Profiles in Giving
Herbert and Florence Irving

Herbert and Florence Irving

Herbert and Florence Irving are recognized as the largest donors in CPMC history. That incredible relationship has played an important role in some of the breakthroughs in medical and clinical research at CPMC. Mr. Irving is a co-founder and former vice chairman of SYSCO Corporation, which evolved from Global Frozen Foods, a business his brother-in-law started in the 1940s. After Mr. Irving returned from his service in World War II, he built Global into the largest frozen food distributorship in New York City. In 1969, Global and eight other distributors from across the country created one of the first and largest successful business partnerships known today as SYSCO (Systems and Services Company). Today SYSCO is a $13 billion Fortune 500 company and America's largest marketer and distributor of food service products.

Since the 1980s, the Irvings have generously supported programs in research and clinical care at CPMC. In 1987 they provided funds to sponsor young researchers, known as Irving Scholars, and established the Irving Center for Clinical Research. In 1995, they sponsored the construction of CPMC's new cancer treatment facilities that bear the Irving name. Most recently, the Irvings gave funds to create the Herbert Irving Professorship, to be held by the director of the cancer center, and four additional professorships. CPMC's cancer programs will operate as the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Karen Antman.

Why have they given so generously to CPMC? "There is a renaissance in cancer care going on at Columbia-Presbyterian," says Mr. Irving. "Florence and I are enormously proud to be a part of it. We hope our contribution will lay the groundwork for advances in research and treatment for this deadly disease."