Jim & Lisa McCaffrey

When Jim McCaffrey opened his first supermarket in 1979, he wrote a prophetic letter to all his customers, promising that his store would be an integral part of the community.

“I wanted everyone to know that we would provide financial support whenever possible, but equally as important, we would be involved with the social well-being of the area as well.”

St. Mary Medical Center can attest that Jim is a man of his word. However busy he may be in running his successful businesses, Jim has found time to serve St. Mary in several leadership capacities for 18 years, both as a Foundation Board member for nine years and an equal amount of time on the Medical Center Board. Currently, he is Chair of that Board and was co-chair of the last capital campaign. Jim and his wife Lisa are generous supporters, donating both time and financial resources.

When Sister Clare invited Jim to become involved with St. Mary, Jim admits he had not considered what a life-changing invitation that could become.

“I found that once I became engaged in activities at the hospital and learned about the wonderful medical practices that were happening here, the feeling of wanting to do more became contagious,” Jim said. “It has never been a matter of not having the time or energy, but what can I do next to help St. Mary’s mission.”

Jim is often asked to give speeches to the St. Mary community, and likes to tell his audiences that he is the highest paid person on campus. That statement usually makes his audiences sit up and take notice. Jim explains himself by pointing out the huge personal rewards he has received because he and his wife have been a part of the St. Mary family. “One cannot put a price tag on the relationships my family has found and the feeling that has resulted from belonging to a caring community,” Jim stated. “We have made life-long friends within a compassionate culture.”

That is just one of the messages Jim likes to impart about the significance of being involved. He is equally as passionate about the outstanding reputation of St. Mary as a medical facility. “The community is blessed in that St. Mary has been able to marry compassionate care with excellent medical services,” Jim said “The healing process is regarded as a total entity, and everyone benefits as a result.”