Andy and Phyllis Chamra have lived in Bucks County for 23 years. Their interest in St. Mary began 11 years ago when Phyllis’s mother came to live with them because she needed a great deal of medical care. During that time, the Chamras realized just how important it is to have great, state-of-the-art healthcare close to home. Through the numerous hospitalizations and multiple surgeries, they came to appreciate the wonderful care the physicians and nurses at St. Mary provided for her mother. That’s when their charitable giving to St. Mary started. “We have never thought of ourselves as people of means, however, we think of ourselves as blessed; and because of this we feel it’s important to give back to St. Mary. We want to help other families who are dealing with a long term illness of a loved one.” What they came to realize is that St. Mary Medical Center is not just a place to come when you are ill. For eight years, daily visits to the St. Mary Wellness Center have become part of their own routine. They attend many community health seminars and events and are still impressed with the warm, friendly, caring and compassionate staff they encounter every time they are at the hospital. “We feel so privileged to support the innovation, growth, and expansion at St. Mary. It makes us feel like we are paying it forward for all the great care our family member...
Dr. Joseph Conroy took a moment from his busy schedule as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of St. Mary Medical Center to reflect on some of the reasons why he chose St. Mary as the facility where he wanted to practice his profession. As a young man, I had a vision of working at a hospital that identified the needs of its community, and then fulfilled them,” he said. “Our community has embraced St. Mary because of the philosophy that has guided its development.” When Dr. Conroy first joined St. Mary in the late 1980’s, the hospital was in its infancy. He had already practiced medicine at other hospitals, but St. Mary’s philosophy of treating three aspects of patient care — mind, body, spirit — reinforced his own long-standing beliefs for becoming a physician. As he explained these aspects, it became abundantly clear why he has become such an enthusiastic supporter of the hospital. “As medical practitioners, we understand that a patient and/or their family may need spiritual help as they face whatever medical challenge is before them,” he said. “St. Mary is a member of the Catholic Health Initiatives, a national non-denominational health care system that offers pastoral care to all its patients. Spiritual support is an important component in the healing process.” He went on to discuss the numerous outreach programs designed to help patients better understand what is happening to them. “When a patient talks with someone who has undergone a similar crisis, the conversation becomes productive,” Dr. Conroy said. “The ill person realizes that he can get better and can talk with someone who...
In 1987 Dr. Anil Deshpande and his wife Aparna moved to Bucks County to start his medical career. St. Mary Hospital, as it was known then, was a small community hospital servicing a growing population. With the arrival of Dr. Deshpande came the expertise for advanced cardiac care that he used to help develop a comprehensive cardiac program. In 1997 he performed the first Open Heart procedure in Bucks County. Twenty-five years ago the Deshpandes had no way of knowing how their involvement with St. Mary would move beyond his medical training. But it has, and their role as leaders in the philanthropic effort at St. Mary has reached well beyond the medical community. Dr. & Mrs. Deshpande are Co-Chairs of this year’s Gala; Dr. Deshpande sits on the Foundation Board; served as the Co-Chair for Medical Staff Committee during the Access to Excellence Capital Campaign; and was Co-Chair for the Expanding on Excellence Capital Campaign. Part of their reasoning for getting involved was the early realization that quality medical care close to where they live is extremely important. And because they plan to stay in the community long after Dr. Deshpande retires, St. Mary isn’t just a place of work, it is their hospital of choice. Dr. & Mrs. Deshpande also believe in the vision and mission of St. Mary Medical Center. Along with the growth of Bucks County they have witnessed the growing generosity of the community and the steadfast commitment to providing world-class healthcare right here in Bucks County. Additionally, the culture of philanthropy has taken hold among his peers. In part, because Dr. Deshpande led...
Louis DiFranco, Lower Makefield resident, is a very busy man. He and his wife Jacki are fully engaged parents of two “tween” children who participate in many school and extra-curricular activities. His professional career is equally demanding. As an executive in the field of Finance and Asset Management, Louis’ time is a precious commodity. However, he has found the time for St. Mary Medical Center, and says that decision has led to a tremendously rewarding and enriching experience in his life. How does a New Jersey transplant find his way to St. Mary? According to Louis, he and Jacki moved from Lawrenceville several years ago to Bucks County, and as a responsible member of his new community, he was looking for a way to volunteer in a meaningful way. A long time colleague, Bob Field, who serves on the St. Mary Medical Center Board, began the conversation about St. Mary, and indicated that Louis’ background might be a good fit to the board. “Bob talked to me about the high caliber of individuals who are leading St. Mary,” said Louis, “and that sparked my interest to pursue an involvement.” A meeting with Board Chairman Frank Guarrieri and CEO Greg Wozniak sealed the deal. “I was totally impressed with the professionalism of these men and the focus they placed on maintaining the integrity of the ministry and mission of St. Mary,” said Louis. “Their plans were broad based, expertly constructed with considerations for the financial well being of the hospital as well as responsive to community needs. When they encouraged me to join the St. Mary Medical Center Board, I...
What would you say to a cherished loved one if both of you knew he had only thirty six hours to live? Jane Eagleston faced that excruciating moment two years ago, and her answer is truly a love letter to her beloved husband Mark, and in the telling, to St. Mary Medical Center. “Mark and I are both New York born and bred,” admitted Jane. “Moving to Bucks County in 2003 was a major move for me, but Mark was enthusiastic about expanding his company into Southern new Jersey and Pennsylvania.” They spent the next few years exploring this new environment and enjoying the beauty that is Bucks County. Life, however, began to darken in 2007. Mark started to complain about a terrific pain in his chest and general malaise. Initially, his physician thought he had developed pleurisy and ordered a complete series of tests. The good news was that all the tests showed negative results; the bad news was that the pain persisted and became more severe. Then one day Mark sneezed. “I heard him sneeze, and instantly thereafter, he screamed in agony, ‘I feel as though every rib in my chest is broken!’” Jane recalled. “his pain was so intense he threatened suicide.” Immediately, Jane rushed him to St. Mary Medical Center where indeed, it was determined that he had fractured his ribs. More tests were ordered, and this time, the results were dire. “Mark was diagnosed with a most lethal, aggressive form of blood cancer,” said Jane. “His oncologist Dr. Evan Alley said there was an inoperable tumor behind his rib cage, causing the fractures. he...
Leadership happens when individuals seize the moment and show others the path to a greater good. Certainly, leadership was demonstrated when the physician partners at the Endoscopy Center at St. Mary pledged a major gift to the St. Mary Medical Center Capital Campaign, Expanding on Excellence, Your Health, Your Hospital. Drs. John Volpe, Anne-Marie Marcoux and Richard Goldstein led their partners Drs. Salowe, Barash, Kravitz and Modena to become one of the first medical groups to make a donation. Through the Expanding on Excellence Campaign, the group saw an opportunity to help the hospital further its mission in an important way. It was, in Dr. Marcoux’s words, a group decision to say “thank you” to a medical center whose leadership has recognized the needs of physicians by creating a medical environment that better serves the needs of the patients. “The Endoscopy Center has enhanced the way we practice medicine,” explained Dr. Volpe. “We can give better care to the patient because we have the tools and state of the art technology to do so.” “St. Mary is a good friend professionally and a strong pillar of the community,” Dr. Goldstein added. “We see ourselves as partners in the process and recognize the philanthropic efforts St. Mary makes in the community through the work they do at the Mother Bachmann Maternity Center and other outreach programs in Bensalem.” And they also see St. Mary worthy of their philanthropic support. Having worked with other hospitals, they are incredibly impressed by the leadership, transparencies, and stewardship of a well-run organization. Drs. Volpe, Goldstein and Marcoux are trailblazers in their support for this...
