Trinity Health Oakland Receives $4 Million Donation from Retired Physician to Construct Food Hub on Hospital Farm

Photo: Ross Weinstein, M.D., middle, surrounded by team members from The Farm at Trinity Health Oakland.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Von Lozon
Pager: (248) 725-2400
von.lozon@trinity-health.org

PONTIAC, Mich. (Oct. 27, 2025) – Trinity Health Oakland has received a $4 million planned gift to advance its hospital-based farm in Pontiac. The funds will go to support ongoing farm operations and to establish a new Food Hub, a dedicated food distribution center on the hospital campus. The gift comes from Ross Weinstein, M.D., a loyal donor and retired emergency department physician at the hospital, who established the Susan Weinstein Alberts Endowed Farming Fund in 2021 in memory of his sister. A portion of the bequest will also support the established endowment.

“I am inspired by The Farm’s work to feed those in our community that are food insecure,” said Dr. Weinstein. “As a serious gardener, I like the forward-thinking idea of connecting nutrition to more traditional medicine, as well as community and resident education. I’m so impressed with how far The Farm has come in just five years, and I’m excited to make this planned gift to support the construction of a food hub, which is a key piece in fully realizing the vision of The Farm.”

The new Food Hub at Trinity Health Oakland is envisioned to be a vibrant community space that will support expanded food distribution and a wider range of programs. When complete, it will serve as a hub for important initiatives such as cooking demonstrations, culinary education classes, and community gatherings, helping connect patients and neighbors with access to nutritious food, education, and resources that promote their long-term wellness.

“At Trinity Health, we believe that food is medicine,” said Fabian Fregoli, M.D., chief medical officer and president of Trinity Health Oakland. “Whether it’s during a visit to the emergency department or a routine check-up, we’re committed to meeting our patients where they are, connecting them not only with high-quality medical care, but also with access to nutritious food and education. These early connections and physician-to-patient conversations can lead to small but meaningful lifestyle changes that dramatically improve a patient’s quality and length of life.”

Constructed in 2020 just outside the hospital’s North entrance, The Farm at Trinity Health Oakland spans 1.3 acres and features space for food production, a cut flower garden, an herb garden, two hoop houses, and a timber-frame pavilion that serves as a refreshing location for meals and community gatherings. It is one of three hospital-based farms within Trinity Health Michigan, alongside similar sites at Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Trinity Health Muskegon. The Farm is part of Trinity Health’s broader Food is Medicine initiative, which aims to address nutrition insecurity and advance health equity across Michigan communities.

Interested community members can sign up for a Farm Share, The Farm’s seasonal produce subscription program. To learn more about The Farm and how you can get involved, including volunteer opportunities, please click here: The Farm.