DuPage facility renamed for retired judge
A DuPage County-operated nursing facility in Wheaton has been renamed in honor of a retired judge who donated $2 million to help its residents.
The DuPage Convalescent Center is now known as the Kenneth Moy DuPage Care Center.
Moy, a Hinsdale resident who served as a DuPage judge from 1996 until his retirement in 2007, announced last May that he was donating $2 million to the DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation because he wanted to help seniors and disabled adults. County board members responded a month later by voting to change the center's name.
On Tuesday, county and state officials attended a ceremony to unveil the new sign on the side of the building along County Farm Road.
"Although we're changing the name of the facility, it's important to note that we are not changing the mission," said Robert Larsen, chairman of the county board's health and human services committee. "We're trying to enhance the mission of what we do."
The 368-bed facility offers long-term care and short-term rehabilitative services for hundreds of patients, most of whom are on Medicaid.
Moy said he hopes his gift will inspire others to donate to the facility.
"It's very, very important for you to maintain this fantastic safety net for our people that need the help," Moy said to the crowd attending Tuesday ceremony.
DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation officials said Moy's donation is the largest the group has received. The foundation was established in 1993 to provide support and supplemental funding to improve the quality of life for residents at the facility.
Larsen said officials want to continue to raise money to help pay for interior renovations, services and programs that would benefit the center's residents.
County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said the center, which has been in operation since 1888, has an important mission.
"It's part of our fabric," he said. "It's part of our history. We are committed to it."
In addition to being a judge, Moy served as a member of the county board, winning election in 1984, 1988 and 1994.
Cronin said Moy's life and generosity serve as an example of the impact that one person can have in the community.
"His legacy will be here for a long time," Cronin said.