Registered Investment Advisor, teacher, surfer, public speaker, author, licensed pilot, car enthusiast, triathlon runner…all these adjectives describe Steve Mazda. But if there is a common theme to all of his endeavors, it is his firmly held belief that you can be whatever you dream, and Steve Mazda has dreamed big all of his life. However contagious and spontaneous his enthusiasm, Steve is very disciplined about the decisions he makes, applying specific principles for making prudent decisions. “Become aware of your options, don’t make decisions based on emotion alone, read the small print, evaluate the investment properly, and gain as much knowledge as possible to make a prudent decision,” explained Steve. He admits, once he makes a decision, he goes forward full bore. That energy, insight, and commitment have led Steve and his wife Cindy to join the ranks of St. Mary Medical Center financial supporters. In 2004 Eileen Moser invited the Mazdas to a banquet and seated them next to Sue and Michael Wert, and Carter Van Dyke. “We were in the process of building our dream house at the time, so we welcomed the conversation with Carter, who engaged us in the Healing Gardens project, and Sue and Mike invited us to participate in a few St. Mary activities,” said Steve, explaining how he became part of the St. Mary family. “Before I buy a stock for my company, I investigate. I visit the company. I ask questions. I find out about the leadership,” said Steve. “I went through the same process with St. Mary. I met the members of the Board. The outreach programs are important because...
Putting a smile on the faces of our littlest patients One of the most important decisions expectant parents will make during the course of their pregnancy is where to go for prenatal care and where to deliver their precious bundle of joy. That decision is even more vital when potential complications exist. While other area hospitals have shown a decline in maternity and labor & delivery care — in fact, some have closed their departments altogether — St. Mary has experienced a dramatic increase in the need for these services, a trend that promises to continue well into the future. Dr. Prem Marlapudi, Director of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Chairman of Pediatrics, is a strong supporter of the plans for the upcoming expansion and renovations to the Labor & Delivery Unit including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and together with his wife, Dr. Grace Marlapudi, recently gave a generous donation to these projects. “These renovations are long overdue. It is critical that parents and babies have access to the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment and qualified medical professionals.” These modifications and expansion of the NICU will allow for the best care in a semi-private setting, a component that is crucial in allowing these babies to thrive and bond with their parents. Dr. Marlapudi explained that in effect, Labor & Delivery is the backbone of a community hospital. It is generally a department where lifelong relationships begin and many decisions for the future are made. Based on what a family experiences, they will encourage other family members, friends and community members to utilize the services of St. Mary for everything from a...
A Family Focus on Serving: Dr. Richard Leshner and his family share a history with St. Mary Medical Center that is generational. “My father was a physician whose office was three blocks away from the original St. Mary Hospital located on Frankford Avenue and Palmer Street,” said Richard. “Other kids my age went with their dads to the ballpark, I accompanied my father to the hospital and made home visits. That was when I made the decision to become a physician myself.” Richard’s office, Newtown Cardiology Associates, is located at St. Mary Medical Center, where he also serves as Chief of Cardiology. He has been an ardent supporter of St. Mary since 1991 through his participation in the Spring Galas, golf outings and generous gifts to the hospital. To understand his support, one needs only to trace his family connection with St. Mary. Richard’s path to the medical profession began with the influence of his grandfather, Samuel Erlichman. “My grandfather was a Russian immigrant to this country,” Richard explained. “He had to leave his native Kiev because Jews were being persecuted, and America represented the land of opportunity and personal safety.” Samuel became a dress manufacturer and raised his family in Philadelphia. For this industrious immigrant, making it in America was to become educated because it opened other doors for success. His daughters all went to college, and his son Irving became a physician. “My grandfather would ask me every day, ‘How many years before you become a doctor?’, and I would have to figure out the years of education that lay before me. Fortunately, he did not know...
It is not an overstatement to say that St. Mary Medical Center attracts compassionate, caring community leaders who take on the facility’s mission and make it one of their own. Howard and Helena Hopenwasser are two individuals who exemplify the character of St.Mary supporters. Their personal lives have been touched by St. Mary, and now, both work enthusiastically to help the institution. Helena has served in the Community League since 2001, and Howard is a member of the Foundation Board. “When my mother and Howard’s were waging their individual wars against cancer, we saw firsthand the importance of having a medical facility that nourished the spirit while trying to heal the body,” recalled Helena. “I spent many an hour sitting in the cafeteria watching the first Healing Garden being installed just outside the cafeteria’s walls. The gardens provided solace for me, and I decided to help raise funds so that others would be helped just as I was.” In honor of both mothers, Helena and Howard purchased two bricks in the Healing Gardens in their names, and draw comfort from that spiritual connection with their loved ones. “Although the sale of bricks is a vital part of fund raising, their greater importance is that they memorialize your loved ones,” Helena said. “Anyone can purchase a brick by contacting the Foundation at 215.710.2591 or calling SueWert, President of the Community League.” Howard readily credits Helena for getting him involved with St. Mary, and a telephone call from then Foundation Board member Jim McCaffrey sealed the deal. Howard has been an ardent advocate, reaching out to his colleagues in the dental...
Music to fill the soul and uplift the spirit of chapel visitors Having a sick loved one or experiencing their loss in the hospital can be physically and emotionally draining. Kay Hendrickson knows firsthand how the chapel at St. Mary Medical Center can be a place of solace and reflection on such occasions. Kay and Robert Hendrickson were happily married for fifty-three years. They were proud of their family and enjoyed spending time with their children, Bruce and his wife, Nancy; Kimberlea and her husband, Thomas; as well as their three wonderful grandchildren Chelsea, Ryan and Conor. Robert spent many years involved with the Free and Accepted Masons, and the International Union of Operating Engineers. He was an avid pond and koi fish enthusiast, showcasing his calming, serene hobby in their home’s backyard for all to enjoy. Robert’s health took a turn and he found himself fighting a courageous battle with cancer. His illness required frequent trips to the hospital as well as the need for hospice care. On October 26, 2011, he passed away at St. Mary Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Though she knew he was free from the pain and suffering his illness had caused, Kay felt a sudden and significant absence in her spirit immediately after his passing. She made her way to the chapel for a quiet moment alone to pray. Gazing at the stained glass and religious imagery, Kay began to feel a calm not unlike staring into one of her husband’s ponds. Kay felt as if he wasn’t gone at all; she felt Robert all around her in the chapel....
