Vassar Brothers Medical Center: The Wave of the Future

But the new Vassar Brothers pavilion is the big shot across the bow. Officials hope the $545 million project and its upgrades will stop people from heading north or south for care and instead choose Vassar. "The thing that draws people to our region ... they look at the schools and hospitals, and unequivocally, you can get the same, excellent care in Poughkeepsie that you can get in Valhalla and Albany," says Vassar Brothers President Ann McMackin. "Our mission is to provide comprehensive services here at Vassar. Anything we can do the keep people close to home, that's our goal."