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.
A decade after her first gift to support Baystate Health, she began to dream about establishing a named endowed chair to carry on her family’s legacy. She relied on trusted advisor Mark Teed, Principal of Teed Capital Management of Raymond James and former Chair of the Baystate Health Foundation Board of Trustees, to help carry out her wish to honor her father, mother, and brother, to give back in gratitude for care, and to further cancer research.
“Ms. Gallan dreamed for years about creating a named chair,” shares Mark. “She was pleased to know that by including a gift in her estate plans she could make her dream a reality.”
Diane passed away in spring 2024 at age 86. A gift from her estate funds the Gordon J. Gallan, Dorothy E. Gallan, and Bruce F. Gallan Endowed Chair – Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Health. This gift will support the chair of cancer care position in perpetuity, allowing them to further cancer research at Baystate Health and ensure the best in treatment, diagnosis, and care for patients.
The inaugural holder of this prestigious honor will be Dr. Rawad Elias, Vice President and Medical Director of Cancer Services. “This gift allows us to go above and beyond for cancer care, advancing our work, creating interdisciplinary connections across the health system, staying aligned with the rapid expansion of knowledge within the field, and providing us the ability to treat patients with the highest quality of care,” shared Dr. Elias. “I am grateful to Ms. Gallan for her generosity and for her dedication to local healthcare.”
In addition to honoring her family in the naming of the chair, Ms. Gallan also recognized her care providers for their outstanding work and contributions: Dr. Wilson C. Mertens, former Vice President and Medical Director, Baystate Regional Cancer Program; Dr. Julio Martinez-Silvestrini, Physiatrist, Baystate Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; and Dr. Richard Steingart, Medical Director, Adult Hematology, D’Amour Center for Cancer Care for his longtime service and care.
“Ms. Gallan’s bequest gift to help advance cancer research is so generous and forward-thinking,” says Dr. Steingart, “I am honored by her deep gratitude for the care she received and am moved that she was inspired to pay it forward for future generations of patients.”
By including this generous gift in her estate plans, Ms. Gallan has created lasting support for cancer research, honored the memory of loved ones, recognized and thanked her care providers, and created a bright future for Baystate Health. That is a true legacy.
Thank you, Ms. Gallan!