The Gift that Keeps Giving Back – Meet Joan Cohen

Joan Cohen is a longtime volunteer at St. Joseph’s Health, and one of our Planned Giving donors.

Harvey and Joan Cohen have made a lasting impact on the heart and mission of St. Joseph’s Health. As longtime patients, volunteers, and benefactors, they have both left an indelible mark throughout their involvement with St. Joseph’s. Through their efforts they have embodied St. Joseph’s values of dignity, charity, justice, excellence, and stewardship.

After Harvey’s successful triple bypass heart surgery at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center (SJUMC) in 1996, the Cohen’s decided it was time to increase their involvement with St. Joseph’s in appreciation for the quality care and attention Harvey received while being a patient at the hospital. Having previously supported the Annual Fund, they increased their financial support of St. Joseph’s Health Foundation to help underwrite the purchasing of new equipment such as regular and bariatric wheel chairs for patients.

Once Harvey retired he decided it was time to volunteer at St. Joseph’s Health, a position he held for many years. After Harvey’s passing, Joan decided to continue her beloved husband’s legacy of volunteering by giving of her own time as a volunteer on the same unit as Harvey did, the Bed Management and Transport Department, a position Joan still holds today. Since that time, Joan has continued to support the Foundation with annual gifts and attends quarterly Spotlight on St. Joseph’s seminars and other events.

Most recently, Joan decided to take another step in leaving a lasting legacy to St. Joseph’s by including St. Joseph’s Health Foundation in her estate plans.

Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to show your support to St. Joseph’s Health Foundation within the framework of your own personal, estate-planning and philanthropic goals. With smart planning, you may actually be able to increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs while making a meaningful contribution to St. Joseph’s Health Foundation.

We are thankful for benefactors like Harvey and Joan who have committed their personal time and resources to invest in the mission of St. Joseph’s Health. Through the Cohen’s generosity, they have helped to improve care for countless patients, and will continue to make a lasting impact for generations to come.