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.
Director of the Coronary Care Unit from 1969 to 1997, Hafer was a natural teacher as well as physician, earning “Teacher of the Year” and “Career Educator” Awards for his work in training and mentoring medical students and physicians. His wife Ruth had researched blood pressure medicines at Smith Kline Labs early in her career and went on to be active in local politics and community organizations.
Creating a Legacy
Dr. Hafer had often made his wishes known about creating a legacy which would benefit the hospital and his patients long after his death. He and his wife Ruth wanted to make a gift that resonated long after their lifetimes.
His family helped carry out their wishes, ensuring his legacy would not be forgotten. Ruth provided a generous gift in her estate to establish the Jesse G. Hafer Jr Cardiology Fund. Before she passed in 2003, Ruth had the satisfaction of knowing this fund would support cutting edge technologies to advance the quality of cardiac care and delivery for patients – a project her husband, who passed in 2000, would have loved.
Ruth also saw the opening, in May 2002, of the Jesse G. Hafer, Jr. MD Noninvasive Cardiology Unit at Baystate Medical Center, attending with her daughters. A game-changer when it was established, the Hafer Unit continues to support innovative care. Baystate Medical Center is ranked now as one of the nationals’ Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals* in the country.
Continuing Support
The Hafers also planned for continuation of their annual support by creating a donor advised fund which carries on their belief in the transformative power of Baystate’s visiting nurse and hospice programs. The Ruth M. and Jesse G. Hafer, Jr. Fund impacts the lives of hundreds of patients each year with gifts to support this crucial work.
“Dr. and Mrs. Hafer were outstanding members of the Baystate Health family,” notes Mark A. Keroack, MD, MPH, President & CEO of Baystate Health, “We are honored to celebrate their continuing legacy through the work of the Hafer Unit, our award-winning Cardiovascular Program, and the work of our home care and hospice.
“Gifts like those from the Hafers make a difference throughout Baystate Health by providing funding for advances that would not otherwise be possible,” says Scott Berg, executive director of the Baystate Health Foundation and vice president of philanthropy for Baystate Health.
How Your Gift Helps
Your gifts to Baystate Health Foundation help us improve the health of the people in our communities every day, with quality and compassion. Your generosity provides Baystate Health with the resources to…
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| Provide the best possible clinical treatment and improve the quality of life for patients; | Educate the next generation of physicians, nurses, researches and other care providers; | Bolster access to care, education and preventative medicine for underserved communities. |