He is now 16 years into his third career, which has included chairing the boards of CareSource and Greater Dayton United Way, serving on the board of University of Dayton, and co-chairing the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan and the Downtown Dayton Partnership Board of Trustees, among others.
His desire to help others took root in college, when he accepted a job as an orderly and found real satisfaction in helping people. He went on to become an emergency medicine physician, later leaving Philadelphia for Dayton to head Miami Valley Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Center. In Dayton he built his career and began his volunteer work that has blossomed into a full-time passion.
You were born in Columbus, raised in Pittsburgh and moved to Dayton to pursue a career. Why did you decide to stay here?
I fell in love with Dayton and its people. It’s large enough to have all the amenities, but small enough to welcome new people to jump right in and make a difference. This is a community that rallies around one another. Not many communities are fortunate to have such good people working to make their region a better place to live.
What motivated you to retire at such a young age and devote yourself to community service?
I’ve had three careers – an emergency physician, a healthcare executive and now a community volunteer. I’ve been a volunteer ever since I moved to Dayton in the 1970s. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, and I am fortunate that I’m in a position to be able to devote my time to public service to help make the community stronger.
What inspires you about Dayton?
I see so many people with really creative ideas and see lots of positive change coming. I think we’ve turned a corner and that Dayton will turn itself around and become great again. The key is believing in ourselves, and I’m seeing that more and more.
How is The Dayton Foundation helping you to help others?
The Dayton Foundation makes giving to charity so easy, particularly through the Charitable Checking Account Service. I’ve had an account for nearly 30 years, and it’s so efficient and convenient to use. It’s as simple as going online and, with a couple of clicks, recommending a grant to any charitable organization. The Dayton Foundation does the work for me.
Why is helping others so important to you?
The community has given me a good life, so this is my way of repaying it. People sometimes forget just how many ways they’ve been helped throughout their lives by others. I came from a family with very modest means, but I got help with my education through scholarships and loans, all of which were made possible thanks to people who cared. If everyone were really smart, they would give a hand to help the greater good. I get great satisfaction out of doing my small part to make our community better.
What advice can you share about giving to the community?
Just do it. If not your dollars, then give your time, which is a lot more precious than money. I believe that if we have done well, we haven’t done it by ourselves. If we can, we should help others in return. Giving makes people feel part of a project and part of the community. It’s the most rewarding thing you can do. And as a community, we’re a whole lot smarter when everyone brings something to the table.
How would you complete this sentence, “My giving makes me feel____?”
Good. It’s that simple.
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