St. Mary Medical Center is an absolute gem here in Bucks County,” asserts Dr. Alan Brackup. “This institution is on a par with medical centers anywhere.” Dr. Brackup knows whereof he speaks. He is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, board certified in both cosmetic surgery and ophthalmology, presently a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a principal in his own practice located in the St.Clare office building at St.Mary Medical Center. Dr. Brackup credits his wife Eileen for introducing him to St. Mary. She is a tax attorney with special expertise in inheritance and planned giving. “I was asked to give lectures to various groups through St. Mary,” Eileen explained. “This is part of an on-going educational service offered by St. Mary to the community. Frank Guarrieri, a partner at my former law firm, and Jim McCaffrey encouraged my further participation in the Planned Giving Advisory Board, and the rest, as they say, is history.” Both she and her husband have been enthusiastic supporters for St. Mary since 1994. Dr. Brackup says supporting St. Mary was an easy decision to make. “The philosophy of the institution mirrors the way we practice medicine,” he explained. “We see people whose bodies may have experienced serious trauma and/or people who wish to enhance their image. In both instances, we are seeking to improve the quality of life for these people, and that is precisely what happens on a daily basis at St. Mary.” He also wants others to become aware of the caliber of professional talent who practice medicine at St. Mary. “The credentials of the...
Fifteen years ago Joe and Cathy Bondi heard words no parent wants to hear. Their six year old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It proved to be a call to action that has led the family to reaffirm what is truly important in their lives—family, friends, and community. “We were given a tremendous medical challenge which thankfully turned out well for our son,” said Joe. “At the end of the day we appreciate all that we have been given, and now it is our turn to take these blessings forward to help others.” The medical crisis began innocently enough. they noticed that their son’s left hand was unsteady and decided to take him for a medical examination, never dreaming that a brain tumor could be the cause of the problem. The tumor was successfully removed surgically a few days before the child’s seventh birthday. Joe vividly recalled his feelings as he and Cathy returned to their home on that day. “When we drove into our driveway, we saw that someone had cleared all the snow from a recent storm and on the front step was a large pan of homemade lasagna,” Joe said. “It was a very humbling experience knowing that we were fortunate enough to be surrounded by loving family and friends, yet each day at the hospital we saw parents from all over the country, with both their ill and well children, trying to cope with what life had given to them.” Once Joe and Cathy knew their son would survive the crisis, they sought out other parents who were going through the same issues...
The Emergency Department is not a likely setting for meeting one’s life partner, except perhaps in a daytime television drama. But for Meg and Howard “Pete” Ashton, the ER of St. Mary Medical Center was where Meg was first introduced to Pete, a Pennsylvania State Trooper, who was there as a patient 25 years ago. “At the time I was Head Nurse and Manager of the ER,” Meg recalled. “Before long, Pete was making regular visits on official business to the ER, and the rest is history.” Meg is a 35 year employee of St. Mary, presently holding the position of Trauma Program Manager. Pete, now retired from the State Police, works in the Security Department, and their son Pete is an employee in the Health Information Management department. “St. Mary is an integral part of our lives,” Meg said. “All our children, Pete 23, Kim 22, Melanie 20, and Jimmy 18, were born here. They attended the Child Development Center, and in the early days they would occasionally come to work with me. Our children have participated as junior volunteers, and Jimmy worked for two summers at St. Mary Thrift Store in Langhorne.” Given these strong ties to St. Mary, it was a very natural progression for Meg and Pete to become active participants in the annual Colleague Giving Campaign. This is an opportunity for employees to make a donation to St. Mary Medical Center. Meg and Pete are members of the Giving Hour Society, each donating one hour per pay period to the hospital, and their son Pete contributes an amount each pay period as well. “I...
As St. Mary Medical Center positions itself to stay ahead of the ever changing healthcare landscape and continue to be the most comprehensive and compassionate provider in Bucks County, three key priorities have been identified: • Ambulatory Care • Behavioral Health • Physician Recruitment and Graduate Medical Education Investing in St. Mary’s future ambulatory care means providing prompt, local access to outpatient care including diagnosis, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation. We want to bring our excellent and compassionate care even closer to home. More details of the site location and service offerings coming soon! Behavioral health is a critical unmet need in our community. When patients come to us, we want to deliver care to the whole patient, addressing all of their immediate and related healthcare needs. Your gift to the St. Mary Initiatives Fund will support our expansion of services including early identification and intervention for those at risk, integrated services, care, and treatment. The proceeds of the St. Mary Foundation Spring Gala will support new programming and care in behavioral health. Graduate medical education (GME) is about preparing for the future of healthcare today. Here at St. Mary, we want to recruit talented physicians who value collaborative environments and put patient safety and care first. Your support will help us welcome a new cohort of internal medicine residents in Summer 2018 and primary care residents in 2019. Online giving form ...
Since its inception, St. Mary Medical Center has received generous gifts of resources, time and talent, making it possible to secure the wherewithal and technology needed to maintain its position as a leader in healthcare — caring for the whole person — mind, body and spirit. The philanthropic activities of the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation help ensure that all people of Bucks County, especially the underserved, are guaranteed the most comprehensive, cutting-edge medical attention — now and for generations to come. Foundation Staff Foundation Board Hospital Board Physicians Board LIFE Board Contact...
