Named for its donors, the Harold and Myra Spratt Chair in Minimally Invasive Surgery will support the hospital's successful program in minimally invasive surgery, and comes at a time of tremendous growth in these types of procedures, especially at Danbury Hospital.

Income from the endowment will allow the hospital to provide more minimally-invasive treatments and services, and will support additional research, postgraduate medical education and development and promotion of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Dr. Zuccala is the third endowed chair. Pierre Saldinger, M.D., chairman of the Department of Surgery, holds the Carmen L. and Peter Buck Chair in Surgical Oncology. Alan Dietzek, M.D., holds the Linda and Stephen R. Cohen Chair in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.

"I am honored and very excited to be offered this chair," said Dr. Zuccala. "The cutting edge of general surgery technology today is minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery.

"With this generous donation, we will be able to remain at the cutting edge for the foreseeable future. The Spratts' generosity will ensure that the surgery department at Danbury Hospital continues to provide world-class care to our patients far a very long time."

Dr. Saldinger was equally pleased with the endowment. "A chair gives you money for things that are otherwise unfunded, which is very important," he said.

"Federal and insurance reimbursement for medical care is continually being cut. We're in an age where the demands of doing medicine are higher and the costs are increased. What suffers first is medical education, research and program development."

Harold Spratt has a long history of giving to Danbury Hospital. Together with his late wife, Cora, he funded the purchase of high-tech Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Recently, he and his wife, Myra, have enabled the purchase of high dose rate brachytherapy and high-definition screens for the operating suites to assist in minimally invasive surgery.

Those seeking additional information may call www.danburyhospital.org.