Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 | 2:06 p.m.
The University Medical Center Foundation received $1 million Thursday during a farewell ceremony for Dr. Anthony Marlon, a cardiologist and the founder and former owner of Sierra Health Services, at UnitedHealthcare Nevada's headquarters.
Sierra Health was sold earlier this year to UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.
During the ceremony, UnitedHealthcare presented a $500,000 check to UMC chief Kathy Silver. Marlon then made a surprise announcement that his Marlon Family Foundation would match the donation.
The money, to be paid over five years, is slated to fund cash-strapped UMC's cardiology services.
"It couldn't have come at a better time for us," Silver said. "I think that our situation with Medicaid reductions has been well-publicized and that has had a real negative impact on UMC's finances as a result of that. It's put a real crimp in our ability to raise and to provide capital for what the hospital needs."
Silver said that she had no idea about the matching donation and that the announcement "brought a tear to my eye. I couldn't believe it."
Marlon started his career in 1974 at UMC, Las Vegas' sole nonprofit and publicly funded hospital.
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