Over a century of community members have turned their love stories into lifesaving legacies for Baystate Health – creating meaningful and lasting tributes that celebrate a loved one, a cause they are passionate about, a family legacy, or more. Whether you want to share your story to inspire others, like these donors, or you prefer to share your story one-on-one with us and remain anonymous, we are here for you – excited to connect with you and happy to help create a meaningful and lasting tribute. Read below to see how some of our donors carry on their love story for generations to come by creating a charitable gift through their estate plan.
Love Stories
From honoring a loved one to saving taxes to generating income for life, a planned gift lets you take care of you and yours while ensuring the vital future of Baystate Health.
Do more than you thought possible through charitable giving and financial planning. From honoring a loved one to saving taxes to generating income for life, a planned gift lets you take care of you and yours while ensuring the vital future of Baystate He
Turning a Dream into Reality: The Lasting Power of a Legacy Gift
In 1997, Longmeadow resident Diane Gallan made her first gift to Baystate Health. She lived quietly and with purpose, giving her time and treasure as a volunteer and as an anonymous donor to many charities. She was proud of the legacy her father Gordon Gallan created as long-time president of G. & C. Merriam Company in Springfield, known today as Merriam-Webster, Inc. She also struggled with illness and was deeply grateful for the care and compassion her Baystate Health team provided.
Milestone Gift Advances Women’s Healthcare: Ron and Millie Burkman Establish First Named Endowed Chair for Baystate Health
March 25, 2021
Former Longmeadow resident and Baystate Health Foundation Legacy Society member Dr. Ronald T. Burkman loves to share stories about fishing trips with his former colleagues at Baystate Health, or to talk about the latest University of Michigan basketball or hockey game.
Former Longmeadow resident and Baystate Health Foundation Legacy Society member Dr. Ronald T. Burkman loves to share stories about fishing trips with his former colleagues at Baystate Health, or to talk about the latest University of Michigan basketball or hockey game.
A Son’s Gift Ensures his Mother’s Legacy Will Live Forever
March 4, 2024
Nine years ago, Gregory K. Swanson’s mother was admitted to the MassMutual Wing of the Davis Family Heart and Vascular Center for what would be her last stay out of many. “I can’t say enough about the care she was given by her doctors and nurses, her social worker, and by her palliative care team,” Greg remembers.
Nine years ago, Gregory K. Swanson’s mother was admitted to the MassMutual Wing of the Davis Family Heart and Vascular Center for what would be her last stay out of many. “I can’t say enough about the care she was given by her doctors and nurses, her social worker, and by her palliative care team,” Greg remembers.
Upholding Values: Family and Community Honor Dr. Ken Frankel
January 9, 2024
“Extraordinary dedication.” Felice Frankel uses these words to describe her late husband Dr. Ken Frankel, former Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Baystate Medical Center, and clinical professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the former Tufts School of Medicine at Baystate.
“Extraordinary dedication.” Felice Frankel uses these words to describe her late husband Dr. Ken Frankel, former Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Baystate Medical Center, and clinical professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the former Tufts School of Medicine at Baystate.
Harold Grinspoon Advances Future of Mental Health through Donation
November 27, 2023
The role of psychiatry in our society has become even more prominent in the past five years. From the pandemic reshaping the world to an increased need in behavioral health providers, especially for children and young adults, mental health can be found among news headlines daily.
The role of psychiatry in our society has become even more prominent in the past five years. From the pandemic reshaping the world to an increased need in behavioral health providers, especially for children and young adults, mental health can be found among news headlines daily.
Honoring Her Family: Cathleen Esleeck’s Commitment to Baystate Franklin Lives On
September 20, 2023
Retired Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Edward O. Reiter was the key driver in forming Baystate Children’s Hospital more than three decades ago—and now, a generous investment from Dr. Reiter and his family ensures a lasting legacy of exceptional care for the children of western Massachusetts.
Retired Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Edward O. Reiter was the key driver in forming Baystate Children’s Hospital more than three decades ago—and now, a generous investment from Dr. Reiter and his family ensures a lasting legacy of exceptional care for the children of western Massachusetts.
Kevin and Sue Lawson Transform Patient Experience with Legacy Gift
May 22, 2023
When asked what Baystate Health means to their family, this is Kevin and Sue Lawson’s unequivocal answer. In 2020 both Kevin and the couple’s son Brian faced concurrent life-threatening health crises that required lengthy stays in intensive care, where they were placed just a few doors down from each other.
When asked what Baystate Health means to their family, this is Kevin and Sue Lawson’s unequivocal answer. In 2020 both Kevin and the couple’s son Brian faced concurrent life-threatening health crises that required lengthy stays in intensive care, where they were placed just a few doors down from each other.
A Legacy of Care for Children
May 5, 2023
Retired Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Edward O. Reiter was the key driver in forming Baystate Children’s Hospital more than three decades ago—and now, a generous investment from Dr. Reiter and his family ensures a lasting legacy of exceptional care for the children of western Massachusetts.
Retired Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Edward O. Reiter was the key driver in forming Baystate Children’s Hospital more than three decades ago—and now, a generous investment from Dr. Reiter and his family ensures a lasting legacy of exceptional care for the children of western Massachusetts.
Giving Blood, Giving Hope: Blood Donor Creates Gift for the Future
June 15, 2022
Meet Donna Feng, our newest Legacy Society member and longtime blood donor at Baystate Medical Center. Donna recently updated her estate plans to include a legacy gift to support Baystate Health’s Medical Transfusion Program.
Meet Donna Feng, our newest Legacy Society member and longtime blood donor at Baystate Medical Center. Donna recently updated her estate plans to include a legacy gift to support Baystate Health’s Medical Transfusion Program.
Celebrating Love and Legacy with the Anthony P. Lovell, MD Memorial Endowed Award for Excellence
June 7, 2022
Established in 2018, The Lovell Award supports a graduating medical student from UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate who enters a Baystate Health residency program, with a preference for a student entering internal medicine or a residency related to primary care. This award is funded by a grant from the Lovell family.
Established in 2018, The Lovell Award supports a graduating medical student from UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate who enters a Baystate Health residency program, with a preference for a student entering internal medicine or a residency related to primary care. This award is funded by a grant from the Lovell family.
Visionary Gift Honors Wife and Hospital
May 25, 2022
When Robert Collins was growing up in Three Rivers, Massachusetts during the Depression, he and his brothers would go hunting to ensure they did not go hungry.
When Robert Collins was growing up in Three Rivers, Massachusetts during the Depression, he and his brothers would go hunting to ensure they did not go hungry.
Ensuring the Future of Healthcare: A Bequest Gift from Paul Cohen
July 7, 2021
“To use the words of Lou Gehrig, I feel like I’m the luckiest person on Earth,” shares Paul Cohen, co-founder and chief financial officer of Planned Furniture Promotions.
“To use the words of Lou Gehrig, I feel like I’m the luckiest person on Earth,” shares Paul Cohen, co-founder and chief financial officer of Planned Furniture Promotions.
What Matters Most: Retired Baystate Leader Carries on his Legacy with an Endowed Gift
July 6, 2021
Like many of us during the pandemic, Dr. Benjamin Liptzin found himself pondering his legacy and thinking about what matters most.
Like many of us during the pandemic, Dr. Benjamin Liptzin found himself pondering his legacy and thinking about what matters most.
An Abiding Love and a Gift of Gratitude: Donors’ Gift Supports Hospice Care
March 23, 2021
Nancy Sbrega spent 63 years married to the love of her life, Louis, known to those around him as “Gino.” The couple met rollerskating at the Winter Palace in Holyoke when Nancy was 15.
Nancy Sbrega spent 63 years married to the love of her life, Louis, known to those around him as “Gino.” The couple met rollerskating at the Winter Palace in Holyoke when Nancy was 15.
Father and Son, Doctor to Doctor: a Conversation on Legacy
January 25, 2021
For the Broder family, a life of fulfillment seems to have a common thread that weaves through each generation – healthcare. Specifically for Dr. Martin Broder and Dr. Samuel Broder, that thread led them both to Baystate Medical Center.
For the Broder family, a life of fulfillment seems to have a common thread that weaves through each generation – healthcare. Specifically for Dr. Martin Broder and Dr. Samuel Broder, that thread led them both to Baystate Medical Center.
Nurse’s Gift Fights COVID-19 and Provides a Sustaining Legacy
April 30, 2020
Barbara Zygarowski loved Baystate Health, loved medicine, and loved her career as a nurse. Her good friend Paul Grennon confesses that he bought and read medical books so he could keep up with her in conversation – she was that passionate about her chosen career.
Barbara Zygarowski loved Baystate Health, loved medicine, and loved her career as a nurse. Her good friend Paul Grennon confesses that he bought and read medical books so he could keep up with her in conversation – she was that passionate about her chosen career.
Baystate Health Team Supported by Bequest Gifts
April 15, 2020
When Robert A. Shanley set up his trust decades ago, he never envisioned anything like the coronavirus pandemic.
When Robert A. Shanley set up his trust decades ago, he never envisioned anything like the coronavirus pandemic.
Celebrating Love, and a Career
August 13, 2019
In her final months of life, Aroxy Zacarian thought about what mattered most to her — four beautiful and accomplished children, nine wonderful grandchildren, one great-grandson, three siblings, and a dear husband of 51 years, Dr. Setrag A. Zacarian.
In her final months of life, Aroxy Zacarian thought about what mattered most to her — four beautiful and accomplished children, nine wonderful grandchildren, one great-grandson, three siblings, and a dear husband of 51 years, Dr. Setrag A. Zacarian.
Decades of Dedication and a Gift for the Next Generation
May 22, 2019
To serve as leaders, volunteers and stewards of the Baystate Health mission is almost second nature to David and Evie Woods. Dedicated to Baystate for decades, the couple has now found an additional way to extend their support.
To serve as leaders, volunteers and stewards of the Baystate Health mission is almost second nature to David and Evie Woods. Dedicated to Baystate for decades, the couple has now found an additional way to extend their support.
Barbara Clarke was Passionate about Helping Women
February 25, 2019
Barbara Clarke's husband, Arthur H. Clarke, ensured her values would be remembered by future generations by including a tribute gift to Baystate Health Foundation in his will to establish a permanent, living legacy, the Barbara M. Clarke Memorial Fund.
Barbara Clarke's husband, Arthur H. Clarke, ensured her values would be remembered by future generations by including a tribute gift to Baystate Health Foundation in his will to establish a permanent, living legacy, the Barbara M. Clarke Memorial Fund.
Thanks for the Love, Bud!
January 18, 2019
When pancreatic cancer threatened the life of Turners Falls resident Harold "Bud" Collins, he took it in stride.
When pancreatic cancer threatened the life of Turners Falls resident Harold "Bud" Collins, he took it in stride.
Sharing their Love: The Lawsons Give Back
August 27, 2018
For Kevin and Sue Lawson, giving back is about the difference they can make by sharing their time, talent and resources.
For Kevin and Sue Lawson, giving back is about the difference they can make by sharing their time, talent and resources.
'We Didn't Want Anyone Else to Go through That'
August 2, 2018
In 1989, when Bob Regnault had to undergo coronary bypass surgery, he worried about his wife, Frances, sitting scared and nervous in the waiting room.
In 1989, when Bob Regnault had to undergo coronary bypass surgery, he worried about his wife, Frances, sitting scared and nervous in the waiting room.
Endowed Gift Eases Grief through Giving
August 2, 2018
In 1996, seven-year-old Caitlin Dibble Ross was diagnosed with cancer. Caitlin's heartbroken parents, Ann and Tim, her four-year-old brother, and her extended family — including her uncle, Bulkley Richardson Attorney Francis Dibble, Jr., better known as Sandy — looked for every opportunity to bring joy to her days as the disease took its toll.
In 1996, seven-year-old Caitlin Dibble Ross was diagnosed with cancer. Caitlin's heartbroken parents, Ann and Tim, her four-year-old brother, and her extended family — including her uncle, Bulkley Richardson Attorney Francis Dibble, Jr., better known as Sandy — looked for every opportunity to bring joy to her days as the disease took its toll.
Not Forgotten: A Legacy of Love Celebrating a Life Dedicated to Mending Broken Hearts
February 14, 2018
Dr. Jesse Hafer was the “heart” of Baystate Health’s Cardiology Division. A respected cardiologist at Baystate Medical Center for more than 30 years, Dr. Hafer built a loyal following amount the thousands of patients he cared for over the years.
Dr. Jesse Hafer was the “heart” of Baystate Health’s Cardiology Division. A respected cardiologist at Baystate Medical Center for more than 30 years, Dr. Hafer built a loyal following amount the thousands of patients he cared for over the years.
Thanks for the Love, Mary!
February 9, 2018
In 1943, Mary Therese Dvarecka graduated from what was then the Springfield Hospital School of Nursing.
In 1943, Mary Therese Dvarecka graduated from what was then the Springfield Hospital School of Nursing.
Retired Employee’s Generosity Fuels Tomorrow’s Care
January 15, 2017
The Piepul Family and Baystate Medical Center go way back—almost sixty years. Jan was born down the street. Bernadette served as a surgical nurse for 36 years, working in the operating room, post-operative care, and then as manager of general surgery until her retirement earlier this year.
The Piepul Family and Baystate Medical Center go way back—almost sixty years. Jan was born down the street. Bernadette served as a surgical nurse for 36 years, working in the operating room, post-operative care, and then as manager of general surgery until her retirement earlier this year.
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