A pair of retired medical professionals who have been donating to Asante since 1986 are committing themselves to a final gift in the seven figures.

Dr. Alan Binette was a prolific obstetrician who helped deliver more than 10,000 Rogue Valley babies throughout the course of his career, and his wife, Susan, retired after a nursing career spanning decades. The Binettes are pledging more than $5 million of their estate to the Asante Foundation. The nonprofit fundraising arm of the healthcare provider stated in a release issued Thursday that it’s the “largest estate gift commitment in its history.”

To honor of their commitment and philanthropy, their name adorns the new Binette Family Birth Center within the Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which opened within Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center at the start of last month.

The fifth-floor birthing center has seven labor and delivery rooms, two operating rooms, and boasts Oregon’s first OB Emergency Department specializing in patients experiencing pregnancy problems.

The birth center is part of RRMC’s $455 million, 323,600-square-foot patient pavilion expansion, which opened Feb. 5 after years in the making and some of Asante Foundation’s largest donations in its history, including $12 million from the Olsrud family and $3 million from Rogue Credit Union.

The first infant delivered in the new center was born Feb. 6, according to Asante. The parents got a note from the Binettes “signifying the historical moment, for them and for the community,” the release states.

The couple have been giving to Asante since 1986, according to quotes attributed to the Binettes in the release. Susan’s first gift was a $10 donation to the Smullin Education Center in 1986.

“I am so pleased to be part of this great community of people,” Susan Binette said in the release. “This is our legacy and it’s heartfelt.”

In addition to giving to Asante, the family has given to other organizations focused on women’s and children’s services, behavioral health and the Sexual Assault Response Team program.

Alan Binette said in the release that the legacy gift allows them to demonstrate gratitude to those they’ve worked alongside long after they are gone.

“Having worked alongside the nurses, physicians and staff at Asante for many decades, this gift is a demonstration of our gratitude, immense trust and faith in the people who will continue the amazing legacy of care at Asante well into the future,” he said.

Andrea Reeder, Asante’s senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer, praised the Binette’s nearly four-decade professional and philanthropic involvement with the organization.

“Through this remarkable gift they once again have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to excellent health care, now and in the future,” Reeder said.

For information about estate giving and other fundraising programs, see asantefoundation.org.