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...
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...
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...
A Note on a Napkin: Marsha Brown, a friend of St. Mary Medical Center, is on a wonderful life journey. From humble beginnings in New Orleans, she has always been driven by her faith and her desire to help others. Working in banking in New Orleans, Marsha was feeling unfulfilled. Her client Ruth Fertal had connections in the community and Marsha thought if anyone could help her make a change it was Ruth. While at a dinner party one night with Ruth, Marsha wrote a note on a napkin; “I am unhappy and want to make a change. If you know anyone who is looking to hire, let me know.” A simple note on a napkin changed Marsha Brown’s life forever. She never thought that Ruth would be the one hiring, but immediately after the party, Ruth asked Marsha to come and talk with her about a job in Ruth’s newly formed business empire; Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses. A deep life-long personal and professional relationship was born. That was the first of what Marsha would call “divine interventions,” encounters that changed her life. “I wanted to be in the people business, not the numbers business. Ruth gave me a chance to do both and be successful. She was an intelligent, warm, spiritual, colorful character — a perfect reflection of the city of New Orleans where we are both from.” The next life changing event happened during a Ruth’s Chris Board of Directors meeting, where it was disclosed that the person who intended to buy the franchise rights for the Philadelphia region had bounced his check. Marsha saw this as...
Although Gary Buch doesn’t recall exactly when he became a donor to St. Mary, he does remember why. Over the course of several years, Gary and his family had all been treated here for various health issues and came away impressed with the advanced technology and quality of care. But it was his daughter Mindy’s fierce devotion to her husband during his battle with cancer that sparked his transformation from occasional patient to ardent supporter. Mindy became an active advocate for the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, initiating a giving plan that included the whole family. And the timing couldn’t have been better, as shortly thereafter, Gary’s son Todd was also diagnosed with cancer. As his son waged his battle against non-Hodgkins lymphoma at St. Mary, Gary was grateful that his family had access to a first-rate medical facility nearby. It was then that he made his commitment to ensure that St. Mary will always be there for his family and for every family who needs world-class healthcare. The Buch family is committed to their long-standing tradition of giving back to the community. With each donation, they all know that they are helping to advance the state of healthcare in Bucks County by making it possible for St. Mary to acquire the most effective technologies to fight cancer. Gary hopes neither he nor his family will ever have to use it again. But knowing that it is there—knowing that other families will have access to life-saving care—that’s why he supports St....
John Celentano, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Public Affairs, and Philanthropy at Bristol- Myers Squibb, proudly announced a partnership with St. Mary Medical Center with an extraordinary $2 million grant from the pharmaceutical giant. This generous grant will support the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pediatric Emergency Care Center at St. Mary Medical Center as part of “Expanding on Excellence, The Campaign for St. Mary Medical Center.” John is passionate about their mission to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Bristol-Myers Squibb’s commitment to addressing unmet medical needs, improving access to medical care, and eliminating health disparities in the communities where we live and work—especially for the most fragile and underserved—ties into the core values at St. Mary Medical Center. This common commitment creates the perfect opportunity for a community partnership to offer the best medical care to our smallest patients. This gift will be used to build additional pediatric patient rooms and provide advanced equipment and expanded physician coverage to meet the urgent medical needs of families...
