Eisenhower Medical Center is a story of turning adversity into great advantage.

A tragic event precipitated the idea of building a world-class medical center in the Coachella Valley: A prominent valley resident suffered a heart attack and died before reaching a hospital.

And after 10 years of development, President Richard Nixon and California Governor Ronald Reagan finally dedicated the new Eisenhower Hospital in 1971.

During nearly four decades, there have been many milestones at Eisenhower Medical Center.

■ In 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hope donated 80 acres upon which to build the new hospital.

■ In 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Probst made the single largest contribution at the time--$1 million--to open the Probst Medical Building.

■ In 2001, Eisenhower Medical Center received $25 million from The Annenberg Foundation, the largest charitable donation ever made in the Coachella Valley.

■ In 2005, the Arnold Palmer Prostate Center at Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center became the first center in the country to combine the use of External Beam Radiation Therapy with onsite seed stranding, using a new radioactive, isotope "seed" made from Cesium-131.

These are only a few examples, but they enabled Eisenhower Medical Center to keep its founders' promise to President Eisenhower that it would always be a place of medical excellence based on personal commitment and philanthropy. The generosity of many benefactors (the Annenbergs, the Hopes and others) charted the course for taking a small, community hospital into new frontiers of medicine and technology.

This year, Eisenhower Medical Center will celebrate 35 years of providing medical care to Coachella Valley residents. For the past several years, the foundation staff has been hard at work, alongside its dedicated leadership and community volunteers, raising private contributions to fulfill the promises of Campaign Eisenhower, our capital campaign to raise $200 million.

We have many promises to keep: 

■ Construction of the new 168-bed Annenberg Pavilion, in response to state mandates regarding seismic upgrades. 

■ Renovation and expansion of Eisenhower's three Centers of Excellence:

1. Cancer: In 2004, Eisenhower treated and/or diagnosed 20 percent of all cancer patients in Riverside County. Our state-of-the-art facility combines diagnostic and treatment services in one location-a focal point for technology, tranquility and innovation in cancer care.

2. Cardiac: Eisenhower is the only cardiac center in the Coachella Valley with a dedicated electrophysiology suite where many advanced procedures are performed. Our rehabilitation facilities rank in the top 1 percent of more than 3,000 cardiac rehab facilities nationwide.

3. Orthopedic: Eisenhower provides state-of-the-art prevention, diagnosis, treatment and surgical intervention for orthopedic conditions. Sports medicine, joint replacement, and physical and occupational therapy are among the areas of expertise.

Today, Eisenhower Medical Center has been distinguished by being named a 100 Top Hospital(r) by Solucient, a healthcare information and research company. The designation is a reflection of the dedication and excellence of the medical providers who practice here.

With the support of benefactors and physicians alike, the Eisenhower Medical Center stands ready to serve the population of the Coachella Valley, which is expected to grow nearly 60 percent in the next decade.

Barbara Hemingway is director of development of the Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation in Rancho Mirage. She can be reached at 760/773-1567.