Passion, commitment to excellence and community support from area leaders; these are some of the reasons John Gilbert and Sarita Tirpak got involved in St. Mary Medical Center. Both are lifelong residents of the area. Sarita grew up in Levittown and John in neighboring Washington Crossing, New Jersey. John’s first contact with the hospital was through his friend and business associate Sid Yates, one of the founding members of St. Mary. John started working in Newtown in 1975 when Sid introduced John to many other area business leaders who were also involved with the hospital. From the early days of Sister Clare to the current leadership of Greg Wozniak, John and Sarita have been impressed with the hospital’s focus on quality, growth and mission. Faith plays an important role in Sarita’s life and the healing environment at St. Mary made it their hospital of choice when her father was in the late stages of his cancer. “Our family was truly appreciative of the quality of care he received. The nurses and nurse assistants are amazing people. They treated my father like a gentleman and always showed him respect in all aspects of his care.” “What has impressed me over the years is the level of passion and commitment our community members have to providing access to excellent healthcare to our area. Passion is contagious, and being part of something special makes us want to do more.” Two years ago John and Sarita’s interests took a new turn. They made their first gift to St. Mary and have been advocates ever since. They take their role as community leaders very...
As First Vice President — Investments, Global Wealth Management Group for Merrill Lynch, Greg Hayes knows a thing or two about the meaning of the word “currency.” For sure, we know it means legal tender, but Greg’s understanding of currency extends its dimensions so that it embraces many reasons for supporting a worthwhile institution such as St. Mary Medical Foundation. “Dollars are just one form of currency, and certainly one means of contributing to St. Mary,” Greg said. “But there are other forms of currency which are equally as valuable, such as contributions of time, wisdom and work. Greg’s commitment to his community attracted the attention of long time St. Mary supporters Jim McCaffrey and Todd Buch when all three men served together on the board of the American Red Cross. “Both Jim and Todd are passionate about St. Mary and encouraged my involvement,” said Greg. “We shared the common belief that everyone has to do their part in the community and that we should lead by example.” Greg has moved far beyond being just a financial supporter of SMMC. He serves on the Foundation Board, and is an articulate speaker before potential donor groups and community organizations. “There may be a time in your life when St. Mary will be at the end of an ambulance ride for you or for a loved one,” Greg said. “You want the peace of mind of knowing that the right physicians, technology and life saving solutions are in place when the ambulance pulls up to the entrance. Because if it’s you, your spouse or one of your children in that ambulance,...
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....
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...
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...
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...
