Sidney Eskenazi was a remarkable man – humble, hardworking and generous. He was a steadfast champion of Eskenazi Health who understood and believed profoundly in our mission to care for all.

When Sid and his beloved late wife, Lois, made their $40 million gift to help build our new hospital campus, it marked one of the greatest philanthropic gifts ever given to the people of Central Indiana and one of the largest gifts ever made to a public hospital in the United States. His belief in Eskenazi Health was not simply philanthropic; it was personal, heartfelt, genuine, and rooted in his lived experience. Having grown up on the south side of Indianapolis during the Great Depression, Sid carried with him a deep understanding of resilience and hope. He was truly moved by Eskenazi Health’s mission and our ability to impact the lives of so many across our community, and his vision was not only to make a transformative gift, but to inspire others to join in supporting our vital work.

In the years that followed their historic contribution, Sid remained engaged and active in advocating for Eskenazi Health. He shared our story with pride and purpose, encouraging others to learn about our important role in providing health care, education, and opportunity. Most of all, he valued our people, both patients and staff, and he never lost sight of the humanity at the heart of the work we do each day.

We are extraordinarily grateful for the time Sid spent with us and for his friendship. His legacy, shared so beautifully with Lois, will endure in the spirit of all that we do for years to come.

All of us at Eskenazi Health and across Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County extend our deepest condolences to the Eskenazi family, their friends, and all who were touched by Sid's life.