Inspiring Stories

When Robert A. Shanley set up his trust decades ago, he never envisioned anything like the coronavirus pandemic.

Barbara Clarke's husband, Arthur H. Clarke, ensured her values would be remembered by future generations by making a tribute gift to Baystate Health Foundation to establish a permanent, living legacy, the Barbara M. Clarke Memorial Fund.

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 1989, when Bob Regnault had to undergo coronary bypass surgery, he worried about his wife, Frances, sitting scared and nervous in the waiting room.

When pancreatic cancer threatened the life of Turners Falls resident Harold "Bud" Collins, he took it in stride.

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.

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.

Benjamin Liptzin, MD, former chair of psychiatry at Baystate Health, is widely recognized for the extraordinary care and kindness he provided to his patients and for his commitment to bringing the best in psychiatric care to western Massachusetts.

For Kevin and Sue Lawson, giving back is about the difference they can make by sharing their time, talent and resources.