Bob and Pauline Young were honored by Munson leaders and staff this past weekend for a recent $1 million donation which has provided new cutting-edge technology to Munson Medical Center’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
The Youngs made their first donation to Munson Healthcare almost a half-century ago, but this latest gift has special meaning as it was in tribute to their son Michael who passed away in 2021. A sign crafted from Koa wood, unique to the Hawaiian Islands, now hangs near the Cath Lab to honor the Youngs commitment to enhancing healthcare in Northern Michigan and Michael, whose boundless generosity of spirit inspired everyone who knew him.
“Mike loved the Hawaiian Islands and woodworking was one of his passions,” said Bob Young. “We could not imagine a more fitting way to honor his memory than giving to an organization that has such a positive impact on people’s lives, just as he did.”
This is not the first time that Bob, 92, and Pauline, 90, have made such a generous gift in the name of a loved one. They were among the first to support construction of the Cowell Family Cancer Center with a $1 million donation in honor of Pauline’s brother, Malcolm A. Bagshaw, MD, who pioneered radiation therapy as a resident at the University of Michigan and during a brilliant career at Stanford University in California.
“Bob and Pauline truly embody the powerful impact that philanthropy can make in a community,” said Ed Ness, Munson president and chief executive officer. “Their generosity and commitment to Munson Healthcare plays a vital role in supporting our mission to deliver on our exceptional cardiac care to the 500,000 people we serve across Northern Michigan.”
The Young’s donation now equips three out of the four MMC Cardiac Cath Labs with Philips Azurion 7 imaging technology. This high-performance image-guided therapy solution is an advanced tool to perform complex cardiac and peripheral procedures that provide safe, high-quality care to patients. Dino Recchia, MD, Munson Healthcare Heart and Vascular Medical Director, offered a reminder of the profound ways in which this gift will improve lives.
“Someday in the future, a father will get to walk his daughter down the aisle because six months prior, our team and this technology saved him during a heart attack,” said Dr. Recchia. “A college graduate will take a photo with his grandmother while another is now healthy enough to dance with her granddaughter. They may never meet any of these grateful people, but this is truly the gift the Youngs have given.”