Invested in the Future
READ BETSY'S STORY
In This Issue: 2026 Edition
Philanthropy Impact
Excellent Care Sparks Desire to Give Back
Inspired by excellent care at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, this couple shared a passion for supporting their local healthcare community.
Gift to Help Patient Care in the ICU
A legacy gift to Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital's ICU was made by an Ohio man to express his gratitude for the care he received there before his passing.
Funding Joy One 'Tail' at a Time
A gift to support Cleveland Clinic Children's was inspired by the hospital's facility dogs and the positive impact they have on pediatric patients.
Ways to Give
A Second Chance, Paid Forward
Grateful for compassionate care and unexpected generosity, Erica and Hank Barnette are helping future patients through a planned gift.
LEGACY GIVING
A Gift of Life, A Legacy of Gratitude
More than 40 years after life-changing care helped them start a family, the Kehriers are supporting behavioral health services at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
Gift Planning Insights
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WAYS TO GIVE
Sharing your Gift Intentions: Top 5 Myths BUSTED
Making a legacy gift to Cleveland Clinic is a meaningful and accessible way to leave a lasting impact, but you may have heard several myths about whether it is a good idea to share your intentions.
LEARN THE FACTS
HOW WE CAN ASSIST YOU
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For Professionals: Estate Planners, Attorneys and Financial Advisors
There are many ways to include Cleveland Clinic in your client’s personal philanthropic plans. Learn how you can help your clients transform healthcare for our patients and shape the future of medicine around the world.
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Tax Planning
Tax Planning Pro Tip
With 2026 approaching, now is the time to consider charitable giving as part of your financial planning.
The Pyramid Legacy Society honors those who have made planned gifts to Cleveland Clinic, expressing deep gratitude for their commitment to advancing medicine and inspiring others to support our mission of the highest-quality patient care, research and education.
View our 2026 new member list
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Cleveland Clinic’s future Neurological Institute will feature the most advanced technology and house care teams in various neuroscience subspecialties to enable a new level of clinical collaboration and individualized treatment planning, including expanded digital distance health services to reach tens of thousands of patients dealing with neurological disorders.
Donor generosity has helped develop Cleveland Clinic's art collection.
2026 George W. Crile Sr. Award Recipients share a commitment to advancing care and giving back
2026 Edition
FInancial, estate and gift planning insights
The Pyramid Legacy Society honors and shows appreciation for our friends and supporters whose commitment to the future of medicine has led them to create planned gifts to Cleveland Clinic.
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9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2026 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved.
From Patient to Philanthropist
After Cleveland Clinic successfully treated three major health issues, Knoxville resident Bob Page honored his wife through a gift annuity supporting neurological care—leaving a legacy of gratitude, hope and healing for future patients. READ MORE
2025 CRILE AWARD
A Legacy of Love and Kindness
Scott and Karen Fitzpatrick were honored with the 2025 George W. Crile Sr. Award for their decades of generosity, volunteerism and lasting impact at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and beyond. READ MORE
GIFT PLANNING
Oklahoma Couple's Gift Will Support Lung Transplant Patients
After a lifesaving lung transplant, Dennis and Elaine Stell made a gift supporting research in honor of Dennis’s physician by including Cleveland Clinic in their estate plans. READ MORE
“By collaborating with your advisors early, you can create a lasting impact through strategic philanthropic planning and purposeful action. Working together, we can help align your wealth with your values, empowering you to support organizations like Cleveland Clinic that are making a meaningful difference in our communities.”
— Christine Millen, VP, Wealth Advisor, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
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For Professional Advisors
Whether you’re an estate planner, attorney or financial advisor, there are many ways to include Cleveland Clinic in your client’s personal philanthropic plans. Learn how you can help your clients transform healthcare for our patients and shape the future of medicine around the world.
read TRACY and Kenny's STORY
Tracy and Kenny Knauss
Betsy HErold
2026 George W. Crile Award recipients Tracy and Kenny Knauss give back to advance care and research
Pyramid 2026 Newsletter >> Tracy and Kenny Knauss Give Back
From day one, Kenny and Tracy experienced a sense of being in capable hands. Comprehensive tests were scheduled and their questions were answered thoroughly. Conversations with Kenny’s cardiologist Brian Griffin, MD and a consultation with surgeon Lars Svensson, MD, PhD, Chief of the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute and Delos M. Cosgrove M.D. Chair for Heart Disease Research were clear, direct and unhurried. They felt reassured that they were being given all the information they needed to make difficult decisions and trusted their team implicitly. Their trust was not only based on the clinical excellence of Cleveland Clinic; it was because of the culture. “From the minute we walked in the front door, we knew it was a different kind of place,” says Kenny. “There’s a level of care and treatment that comes only when a culture is created that enables people to understand the importance of what they’re doing. This is only possible when caring for people is foundational to an organization’s mission and vision.” As a business owner, Kenny understands the importance of culture. He took pride in his own company's culture that he cultivated over decades of hard work. "I watched the way that he treated employees, managers, staff and the customers they served with respect and honesty. He genuinely cared about them, not just the bottom line. It was always about the people," says Tracy. "Cleveland Clinic is the first place that I've ever seen that mirrors those values and that culture. And that gives me hope for the future." The Knausses' journey to healing with Cleveland Clinic did not end with Kenny's heart surgery. Gradually they transitioned all their health care needs to Cleveland Clinic. Tracy has been a longtime champion of women's health and in addition to receiving excellent medical care, she discovered a powerful connection with Pelin Batur, MD and Jessica Strasburg, MD. Both Tracy and Kenny are excited about the mission and the innovative work being done at Cleveland Clinic’s Women's Comprehensive Health and Research Center. The Knausses' personal experience opened their eyes to what is possible when research, compassion and innovation come together. They came to Cleveland Clinic with a health emergency and in the process discovered that the care and the attention to detail within the organization reflected their own values. They were inspired to give back. "We saw that here, people come first; that excellence is not just a goal, but a standard, and we knew that we could trust that every dollar would be used with care and purpose," says Kenny. The Knausses decided to show their gratitude through an estate gift — with one portion going to Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute and another to support the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center. And while they are honored to accept the George W. Crile Sr. Award, they are clear to point out that giving has never been about having their name attached to something. It’s truly about impact. “It all comes down to people caring for each other,” says Kenny. “When we give to a place like Cleveland Clinic that is at the forefront of care, we know that our investment doesn’t just go to healthcare, but to help society serve one another. We believe that healthcare is foundational to a stronger, healthier society, and we are honored to be a part of it.”
Nikki Skrinak and Kim Skrinak were both diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
"It’s been hard with all of these cancer diagnoses in our family, but we have so much hope and a deep conviction that Cleveland Clinic is going to be able to change people’s lives, that people are going to live not only longer lives, but healthier and happier lives. It takes a concerted, persistent effort to do that.”
Tracy and Kenny Knauss aren't just investing in healthcare— they are investing in what they believe healthcare can become. A lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Kenny built his company around a simple philosophy: people come first. His goal was to serve his community. Employees and customers were always treated with respect, honesty and compassion. Those same values also shape the Knausses' philanthropy. Today, they are excited to be investing in the future of healthcare possible at Cleveland Clinic. From pioneering advances in treating heart disease to groundbreaking research in women's health, they see an organization where innovation is matched by compassion. "You hear a sense of excitement from people here," says Kenny. "They're doing the research right here at Cleveland Clinic. This is where new discoveries are being made.” For Tracy, supporting the Women's Comprehensive Health and Research Center is especially meaningful. "It's super exciting for me because they’re on the forefront," she says. "It's long overdue, and they're taking it seriously. There is so much work to be done, and the people leading it are so smart and so passionate.” More than 25 years ago in their hometown of Las Vegas, Tracy and Kenny were part of the original group of donors who supported the inception of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which later became affiliated with Cleveland Clinic. As longtime members of Cleveland Clinic’s 1921 Society, the Knausses had been to Cleveland Clinic's main campus for events, but not for health care. In 2024, that changed in an instant when Kenny faced a serious diagnosis. Hearing the words “you need open-heart surgery,” immediately plunged the couple into unknown territory. The only thing they knew for certain was that they would travel to Cleveland Clinic for Kenny’s care.
— Liz Skrinak
Past Crile Award Winners
Each year Philanthropy is proud to select an individual or couple whose extraordinary service, commitment and contributions of time, talent and resources are an inspiration to others in furthering Cleveland Clinic’s mission. Named for one of the four founders of Cleveland Clinic, the George W. Crile, Sr. Award recognizes extraordinary service, long-standing generosity and a legacy commitment to Cleveland Clinic. Known for his imagination, creativity and innovation, Dr. Crile was a driving force behind the medical excellence that continues at Cleveland Clinic today.
Kenny (left) and Tracy Knauss (right) in Cleveland Clinic's Miller Pavillion lobby.
Explore the site
Our experienced Gift Planning team works with you and your advisor to select the donation option that best meets your personal and philanthropic goals. Learn more about the many ways to make a legacy gift on our Gift Planning website.
Check out our Giving website!
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Recipients of the George W. Crile, Sr. Award
2003 Melvin H. Burkhardt* 2004 Jack J. Belcher 2004 E. Bruce* and Virginia R.* Chaney 2005 Josephine Haywood* 2006 Rose Mary Kubik* 2007 Howard* and Marjorie* Fosler 2008 Chuck Clark* 2009 Tom Kay* 2010 Margaret Whittemore 2011 Audrey* and Hubert* Kleasen 2012 Joan Repp* 2013 Richard T.* and Marjorie E.* Garrett 2014 Bertram* and Alice* Lefkowich 2015 Norma and Albert* Geller
2016 Mark Maynard 2017 Susan Coyne* 2018 Salma and Sam Gibara 2019 David and Jan* Logsdon 2020 Paul Offutt 2021 Carole and Robert Hartless 2022 Jeanette Grasselli Brown* 2023 Jan P. Jones Artz and Dr. Sheldon "Shelly" Artz* 2024 Robert “Bob”* and Carol* Weissman 2025 Scott and Karen Fitzpatrick 2026 Elizabeth “Betsy” Herold, and Tracy and Kenny Knauss
*Deceased
Betsy Herold, 2026 George W. Crile Sr. Award Recipient, honored for enduring commitment to Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Pyramid 2026 Newsletter >> Betsy Herold Gives Back
While her generosity extends beyond any single initiative, one event has become a meaningful expression of her family’s shared commitment to Martin Health. For years, Betsy has gathered her children, grandchildren and close family friends for the Chrysanthemum Ball — affectionately known as the Mum Ball — where she served as co-chair for four years and offered a generous matching gift to encourage others to give. In February, she will be presented with the George W. Crile Sr. Award at the annual Barstow-Reed Appreciation event in her home community. As a new recipient of the Crile Award, Betsy says giving has never been about recognition. It is her way of expressing gratitude, strengthening her community and ensuring others receive the same exceptional care that meant so much to her family. “As the needs of our community continue to grow, it’s important that those of us who have the ability to help step up and make a difference for our entire community,” says Betsy. Her legacy is measured not only in the programs and facilities her generosity has made possible at Cleveland Clinic Florida, but also in the family she has inspired to carry that tradition of giving forward.
Betsy Herold (left) with Debbie Textor (right) at the Mum Ball.
For more than two decades, Elizabeth “Betsy” Herold has quietly shaped the future of healthcare on Florida’s Treasure Coast through her generosity, steadfast leadership and gratitude for the care she and her family have received at Cleveland Clinic. Whether investing in innovative technology, supporting nurses, advancing heart care or helping ensure Cleveland Clinic Martin Health can meet the community’s growing needs, Betsy’s philanthropy has touched nearly every corner of the organization. Her latest commitments include a matching gift for the 30th Anniversary Chrysanthemum Ball and a planned gift to support Martin Health’s strategic priorities, reflecting a lifetime devoted to giving back. “Cleveland Clinic has really stepped up to the plate for our community, and I’m proud to support their efforts to enhance the patient experience at our local hospitals,” Betsy says. A resident of the Sailfish Point community of Stuart, Florida, since 2000, Betsy relocated to the area from Huntington, New York with her late husband, David, following his retirement. Her connection to Martin Health became deeply personal as David faced multiple health challenges over the years. More recently, Betsy herself experienced the compassionate care of the hospital’s emergency department. “Martin Health was there for David through multiple health crises, and more recently for me,” she says. “The nurses and doctors were absolutely wonderful.” Following David’s passing, Betsy honored his memory through a gift that established the Herold Suite on the fifth floor of Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital — a lasting tribute to the exceptional care he received. Betsy’s philanthropy has helped strengthen cardiovascular care through the Frances Langford Heart Center, expand nursing education and bring leading-edge surgical and imaging technologies to the community. Her planned gift will ensure that commitment continues well into the future, helping Martin Health respond to the evolving healthcare needs of generations to come.
From L to R - Craig Rosen (family friend), Betsy Herold, Philip Cadorette (Betsy's grandson).
new 2026 pyramid members
Pyramid 2026 Newsletter >> Pyramid Legacy Society
"When an estate planning attorney consults with a client who displays charitable intentions, it is the attorney’s duty to discuss potential gift options. For many clients, there is no better place to make a difference than Cleveland Clinic, working with the Gift Planning Team.”
The Pyramid Legacy Society honors friends, patients and alumni who include Cleveland Clinic as part of their legacy. Our Legacy Society members support Cleveland Clinic through gifts in wills or trusts; life-income gifts like annuities or charitable remainder trusts; lead trusts; naming Cleveland Clinic as a beneficiary of life insurance policies or retirement plans; or making estate-backed pledges. We are deeply grateful to our Pyramid Legacy Society members, whose generosity helps transform healthcare for future generations. Together, we are making a positive impact on the lives of the patients and communities we serve.
— Robert J. Bux, Attorney at Law Williams and Batchelder
ONE CUDDLE AT A TIME, Trotter is brightening days across Cleveland Clinic Children’s. And those bows? Let’s just say Trotter loves to accessorize. Thanks to the generous support of many, including visionary gifts from Gerry and Diane Wendel and J.M. Smucker Co., the Dogs for Joy and Paws for Caregivers programs make an impact on patients and caregivers every day.
The Pyramid Legacy Society honors those who have made planned gifts to Cleveland Clinic, expressing deep gratitude for their commitment to advancing medicine and inspiring others to support our mission of the highest-quality patient care, research, and education.
Reach Out
VISIT US ONLINE give.ccf.org
CONTACT Call us: 800.223.2273 Ext. 41245 or 216.444.1245
Be sure to check out our Cleveland Clinic Magazine online at magazine.clevelandclinic.org
Email us: giftplanning@ccf.org
Christel M. Adam* Roy K. Amiet* Erica Arbogast-Barnette and Payne Henderson Barnette, Jr. James and Maryann Armour Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Barski James and Joanne Biltekoff Mr. and Mrs. Reginald T. Blauvelt III Timothy N. and Frances M. Borato David and Debra Bruton Barbara and Neal Caldwell The Honorable Anthony P. Capretta Keith and Mary Kay Crain Marcia DeLuca Kristal Dockery Barbara A. Dolan Beth S. Everett, MPH, RD and Michael W. Everett, PhD* Robert M. Garcia Deborah and Thomas Gentile Gwendolyn C. Griffith* Mark Edward Grube Diane Hawley and Carol Przybycien Gary and Linda A. Hayden Richard C. Hyde Rosemerry F. Iannotti and Joseph P. Iannotti, MD, PhD Jerome P. and Janet A. Ivacic* Christine and Thomas Jones
Kristi Patterson and John Klosek Dorothy J. Petrancosta Diane Phillips Craig K. Pickering Carolyn and Charles Rainger Roger W. and Nedra K. Richards Ronald F. and Nancy S. Rosner William and Barbara Rudner Cynthia “Cinda” Collis Ryans* Sheldon and Wendy Sam John and Laurel Melani Schwinn Carol Scribner and Gerald Montgomery Alan and Sally Sefton Fareed Siddiq Marion L. Smith* Cheryl Carter and Stanley D. Smock* Brenda S. Starwalt Judith Ann Steffens Kevin and Kristen Stein Walter “Joe” Stewart Joan E. Thoman, PhD, RN* Scott B. Thompson John and Ann Tickle Debra and Mark Trusty Caryn A. Weaver Harold A. White, MD Mr. and Mrs. John N. Woelfl Catherine L. and Donald F. Woodcock
Bruce R. Abernathy, Jr. Bruce R. Abernathy Jr., PA Dana M. Apfelbaum, Esq. Dean Mead Minton & Moore Kathryn F. Barton, CPA, CFP Offutt Barton Schlitt CPAs Brandon A. Borgmann, Esq. Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP J. Vincent Boyle, CPA Morgan, Jacoby, Thurn, Boyle & Associates, PA Garrick Cashatt Raymond James – The Kanner Group Susan Chenault Northern Trust Marie S. Conforti, Esq. Law Offices of Marie S. Conforti P. Ross Cotherman II, CPA Rehmann Brian J. Elwell, CPA Kmetz, Elwell, Graham, CPAs Rebecca F. Emmons, Esq. Rossway Swan Patrick Alan Farrah, Esq. Wilmington Trust NA Todd W. Fennell, Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA Michael J. Garavaglia, Esq. Collins Brown Barkett, Chartered Glenn Grevengoed, Esq. Glenn Grevengoed, PA Anthony P. Guettler Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA
Cleveland Clinic Allied Partners in Philanthropy 2023
New members of Allied Partners in Philanthropy are welcomed for helping clients establish philanthropic gifts to Cleveland Clinic. A special welcome for our new members representing Cleveland Clinic Indian River.
Troy B. Hafner, Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA Todd Heckman Estate Planning Advisors Beckett C. Horner Block & Scarpa Mike Kanner Raymond James – The Kanner Group William N. Kirk, Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA Michael L. Kmetz, CPA, PFS Kmetz, Elwell, Graham, CPAs Keith Lambert Raymond James – The Kanner Group Justin K. Larson, Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA E. Steven Lauer, Esq. E. Steven Lauer, PA Ronald Keith Lawn, JD, LLM Lawn & LeBlanc, Attorneys at Law Stephanie M. LeBlanc, JD, LLM Lawn & LeBlanc, Attorneys at Law Thomas C. Lee, Esq. Gunster Lawrence Y. Leonard, Esq. Campione, Campione & Leonard, PA Robin A. Lloyd Sr., JD Robin Lloyd & Associates Melissa Medlock, CPA Melissa Medlock, CPA, PA John E. Moore, III Dean Mead Minton & Moore
Scott Nuttall Nuttall, Donini & Associates CPAs David L. Osgood, AWMA Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Jennifer D. Peshke, Esq. Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peshke, PA Dean C. Phillips, AAMS Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Dillon L. Roberts, Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA Matthew Rundels Northern Trust William F. Schlitt, CPA Offutt Barton Schlitt CPAs Brian M. Shambo, CFP Merrill Lynch – Shambo, Schwibner & Associates Jeffrey J. Spina-Jennings, Esq. Gould Cooksey Fennell, PA William J. Stewart, Esq. Rossway Swan Michael J. Swan, Esq. Rossway Swan Andrea B. Thurn, CPA Morgan, Jacoby, Thurn, Boyle & Associates, PA Sue Tompkins Warren Capital Management David H. Walker, CFP Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Mark C. White, Esq. Andrew W. Williams Colton, Williams, & Reamy CPAs
(Aug. 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026)
Roy M. and Lorna L. Jones Michael and Brenda Kehrier Mark Keschl Herbert S. Kipnis* Teresa C. Kirk Richard Klunder Dr. David B. Konikoff Richard A. and Patricia Kosenski Susan Kosierowski Richard T. Lepman Andrea C. Levine Robert Lindner* William and Gertrude “Trudy” Loeb* Thomas E. Louderback* Elisabet and Wes Lucas James M. Lucke* Mary Anne and William B. Luttrell Elizabeth and Michael MacIver Jacqueline G. and Alan M. Massing MD* W. Jeanne McKibben MD* Ge Song and Dean McLellan Peggy A. Mears Boyd D. Metz, Jr.* Michael D. and Julia M. Milone Chuck and Mary Ann Naso Jim and Dale Naylor Lisa Ann Nigro, MS, APRN, CRNA Mark and Paula Nylander John D. O’Brien*
Life-changing treatment sparks the Barnette family’s gift
A Second Chance Paid Forward
Pyramid 2026 Newsletter >> A Second Chance Paid Forward
"Scotty" the germ-eliminating robot disinfects patient areas at Mercy Hospital thanks to a generous donation from the FItzpatricks.
"Blended giving provides our clients a lot of flexibility in how they choose to support organizations. Gene appreciated being able to provide both immediate and future financial support through his donor-advised fund, and the Gift Planning Team at Cleveland Clinic made it such an easy process.”
Erica Barnette’s day had started out like any other. She took her two dogs for a walk to the park down the hill from her Greenville, South Carolina, home. But on the way back, something felt off. “It wasn’t pain or shortness of breath,” she recalls. “I felt like my legs weighed a million pounds.” What should have been a 10-minute walk home stretched into an hour. She stopped every few houses, taking breaks, while trying to understand what was happening. After a series of appointments and tests, Erica was told not to worry. A small blockage, doctors said, wasn’t significant enough to cause concern. But her condition didn’t improve. “I kept saying, ‘I’m not feeling any better. I’m exhausted.’ And I felt like nobody was listening.” Erica went back to her primary care physician, who told her she needed to go to Cleveland Clinic. Within days of arriving in Cleveland, her care team reviewed her scans. What they found was alarming: a major coronary artery was 90% blocked. “If I had not come to Cleveland Clinic,” she says, “I probably wouldn’t be here.” The surgery happened the very next week. Erica was grateful for her doctors, who worked together as a team to save her life. Beyond the clinical expertise, what stood out most to Erica and her husband, Hank, was how they were treated. “Everybody was kind. Everyone was patient. No one made me feel like I was asking stupid questions.” Even her diabetic alert dog, Henri, was welcomed with open arms — an experience she still smiles about. “They treated him like gold,” she says. “That meant a lot to me.” After returning home, relief turned into shock when Erica learned that her surgery was not covered by her insurance. “When you’re not expecting something like that, it’s overwhelming,” she says. “We could pay it, but not all at once.” Erica and Hank began making monthly payments, doing what they could. After a few months, she called to check on the balance and was told it was zero. At first, she thought it was a mistake. “They said, ‘The bill’s been paid for you by an anonymous source.’ I still get chills thinking about it,” she says. Overwhelmed by this unexpected turn, Erica and Hank decided to include Cleveland Clinic in their estate plans, ensuring that one day, they could offer someone else the same relief they experienced. “I want someone else to have that moment,” she says. “To hear, ‘You’re taken care of. You’re going to be OK.’” As new members in the Pyramid Legacy Society, the Barnettes are thankful for the opportunity to “pay it forward” using a beneficiary designation. Their gift is designated for patient support services within the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic and will help future patients in need. “Kindness — real kindness — can change everything,” says Erica.
— Lisa A. Spada, CFP(R), CRPC(R) Senior financial advisor, Senior vice president, Investment officer Wells Fargo Advisors
Simple and Impactful Beneficiary Designations
A beneficiary designation can be a simple way to make a meaningful impact. You can designate Cleveland Clinic as the beneficiary of a financial account, such as:
Erica and Hank Barnette with Henri the dog
Additionally, the Fitzpatricks provided the lead gift for the renovation and expansion of the Mercy Cancer Center, which will be named in their honor. In keeping with their dedication to bettering the lives of others in their Canton community, Scott indicated his and Karen’s intent to leave a portion of their estate to the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Strategic Priorities Fund, ensuring that their altruism will continue making a profound impact for generations to come. The Fitzpatricks’ philanthropy has touched many lives beyond the Canton area as well. Learning that Cleveland Clinic needed funding to continue community Parkinson’s disease (PD) exercise classes, the couple stepped in to facilitate, providing three years’ worth of resources to sustain the program, which is offered in eight Northeast Ohio locations. The weekly PD-specific exercise classes, taught by physical therapists trained to address the symptoms of the disease, demonstrate ways to mitigate stiffness, imbalance, tremors and gait impairments, offering patients the opportunity to enhance their quality of life.
There may be significant tax advantages if you designate Cleveland Clinic as the beneficiary of your retirement account. Assets in traditional retirement accounts are generally subject to income tax when distributed to individual heirs. However, when these assets pass to a qualified charitable organization like Cleveland Clinic, they are generally not subject to income tax. Contact the Gift Planning Team at 216.444.1245 or giftplanning@ccf.org. Your legacy can help shape the future of healthcare for generations to come.
Pyramid 2026 Newsletter >> A Gift of Life, A Legacy of Gratitude
Brenda and Mike Kehrier’s son, Gregory John Kehrier, age 2.
Brenda Kehrier and her husband, Mike, struggled for years with infertility while trying to start their family. The source of the issue was eventually found to be a pituitary tumor that would require complex surgery near Brenda’s brain. Realizing that Cleveland was just a few hours’ drive from their home in Bay City, Michigan, and that they wanted someone with a high degree of expertise performing this delicate surgery, Mike suggested they call Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion. “The minute we walked into Cleveland Clinic, I was just so at ease,” says Brenda. “It’s hard to describe, but you just got a warm feeling going in there. Everyone treats it like it’s their home and they want you to be welcome in their home.” Her surgery was successful—and soon after, she and her husband welcomed their son, a moment she says would never have happened without the exceptional care and compassion she received. The Kehriers even gave their son the middle name “John” in honor of Brenda’s surgeon, John Little, MD. Since 1981, Cleveland Clinic has remained the Kehriers’ trusted place for care. When planning their estate, Brenda and Mike asked: Who has made a lasting difference in our lives? The answer was clear. “The primary reason for us was the quality of doctors and also the way the staff works together,” says Brenda. “It’s a very welcoming, very calming place where the care is coordinated and the patients have a say in their care.” Their legacy gift is designated to support the Department of Behavioral Health at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, inspired by Brenda’s work as a teacher for more than 30 years.
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a simple agreement between you and Cleveland Clinic that will pay you and/or one other person income for life. The remaining balance will support an area within Cleveland Clinic that you choose. Bob Page was able to make his legacy gift to Cleveland Clinic through a charitable gift annuity (CGA). A CGA is a simple way to support Cleveland Clinic while receiving fixed, partially tax-free lifetime payments. Payments are based on age, backed by Cleveland Clinic’s assets and made quarterly. The most common assets to fund a CGA are cash, stock and real estate. Many of our supporters establish one or more charitable gift annuities with Cleveland Clinic. Call 216.444.1245 or send us an email at giftplanning@ccf.org to find out if a CGA is the right gift option for you.
WHAT IS A CGA?
Oklahoma Couple’s Legacy Gift Will Support Lung Transplant Patients
Pyramid 2025 Newsletter >> Oklahoma Couple’s Legacy Gift Will Support Lung Transplant Patients
After a career that took him across the country, retired chemical engineer Dennis Stell and his wife, Elaine, settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2016, Dennis began experiencing unexplained fatigue and shortness of breath. He urgently needed a lung transplant, but other hospitals rejected him as a candidate due to a prior heart surgery. Then he was connected with Marie Budev, DO, of Cleveland Clinic, who became his lifeline and gave the green light to perform the transplant. Dennis received his transplant in 2022. Today, he’s back in the gym, traveling and living life to the fullest. “Cleveland Clinic does healthcare the way healthcare should be,” Dennis says. “In my opinion, they are the gold standard.” Grateful for the life-changing care he received, Dennis and Elaine included Cleveland Clinic in their estate plans to support lung transplant research at Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute in honor of Dr. Budev. Aware of the financial burdens many patients face when relocating and recovering after surgery, the Stells also wanted to help ease the path to transplantation for others. By sharing their plans with the Gift Planning Team, they ensure that future patients have access to lifesaving procedures, compassionate care and leading-edge research.
9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2023 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved.
Dennis and Elaine Stell
2025 Edition
If you’ve included or are considering including Cleveland Clinic in your estate plans, here are three good reasons to let us know:
Top 3 Reasons to Share Your Legacy Gift Intentions with Cleveland Clinic
Pyramid 2025 Newsletter >> Top 3 Reasons to Share Your Legacy Gift Intentions with Cleveland Clinic
1. You Ensure Your Wishes Are Honored. By sharing your legacy gift intentions, we can fully understand your goals and how you want your gift to be used. Whether you’ve left a bequest through your will or trust or named Cleveland Clinic as a beneficiary of a retirement or investment account, we can help ensure your plans are carried out exactly as you envision— including designating support to the area of care that matters most to you. 2. You Create a Lasting Partnership. When you share your plans, we can express our gratitude during your lifetime—and hear the story behind your decision to give. As medical discoveries and priorities evolve, we’ll also be able to keep you informed and aligned with new areas of impact that may inspire you. 3. Your Plans Remain Confidential— And Flexible. Sharing your intentions with us is completely confidential. We will never share your information with anyone outside of Cleveland Clinic. We understand that personal circumstances can change; therefore, your plans are not binding, giving you the flexibility to revise your gift at any time if needed. Let’s start the conversation. Our Gift Planning Team is here to help with sample language and guidance to make the process easy. Contact us at 216.444.1245 or email giftplanning@ccf.org.
Questions about designating Cleveland Clinic as a beneficiary?
Check with your legal or financial advisor or call Cleveland Clinic’s Gift Planning Team to see if this gift vehicle is right for you and your family. We are available to assist you with a gift to Cleveland Clinic to support any aspect of our mission to care for life, research for health and educate those who serve. Call 216.444.1245 or email to giftplanning@ccf.org.
See the latest stories of how Giving Does Good at Cleveland Clinic and learn about the many ways to give and how you can make a difference in helping us transform the future of healthcare for our patients and our communities.
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Making a legacy gift to Cleveland Clinic is a meaningful and accessible way to leave a lasting impact, but you may have heard several myths about whether it is a good idea to share your intentions. Here are our Top 5 Myth-busters that explain why sharing your intentions can help our team ensure that your gift intentions are fulfilled to make the most impact.
Sharing Your Gift Intentions: Top 5 Myths BUSTED
Pyramid 2026 Newsletter >> Sharing Your Gift Intentions: Top 5 Myths BUSTED
Myth #1: I need to donate a considerable sum to make a difference. **Busted! You can leave any amount through a bequest, whether it is a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder after other bequests. Every gift, regardless of size, contributes to supporting vital programs and initiatives at Cleveland Clinic. Myth #2: Legacy gifts are complicated and time-consuming to arrange. **Busted! A bequest, the most common form of legacy gift, is quite simple. It involves naming Cleveland Clinic in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary on assets like life insurance policies or retirement accounts. With the help of your attorney or tax advisor, this process can be straightforward and customized to your wishes. Myth #3: I must choose between providing for my family and making a charitable gift. **Busted! You can do both. Many people choose to make specific or percentage bequests to their loved ones and then designate Cleveland Clinic as the recipient of any remaining assets. This ensures your family is cared for, while also supporting a cause that is important to you. Myth #4: I do not need to inform Cleveland Clinic about my bequest intentions. **Busted! Sharing your intentions with Cleveland Clinic is beneficial. It allows us to understand and honor your wishes and gives you recognition during your lifetime. Additionally, it opens a line of communication that can help you stay informed about new developments and align your gift with emerging priorities. Myth #5: My personal information will not be kept confidential. **Busted! Cleveland Clinic takes confidentiality seriously. Any information you share regarding your gift intentions is kept strictly confidential and is not shared with other institutions, ensuring your privacy is protected.
Where do I begin?
The Gift Planning Team at Cleveland Clinic is available to answer your questions about bequests and other forms of charitable giving. Call 216.444.1245 or send an email to giftplanning@ccf.org. We look forward to assisting you.
Pyramid 2025 Newsletter >> Tax Planning Pro Tip
With 2026 approaching, it’s important to plan for upcoming estate tax changes. Unless Congress changes it, the current federal estate tax exemption—now just under $14 million—will drop to about $7 million, potentially exposing more of your estate to taxation. Now is the time to consider charitable giving as part of your financial planning. Including Cleveland Clinic in your estate plan can reduce estate and capital gains taxes while supporting lifesaving medical research and care. Charitable bequests— via a will, trust or retirement account—allow you to leave a lasting impact on causes that matter most to you.
Tax Planning Pro-Tip
We Can Help You Create Your Legacy
Pyramid 2023 Newsletter >> We Can Help You Create Your Legacy
Cleveland Clinic continues to exceed expectations as one of the world’s top hospitals. Through patient-centered care and a focus on research, our dedicated experts provide the highest-quality care to ensure excellent outcomes. We are grateful for our patients, supporters and caregivers throughout Cleveland Clinic’s worldwide enterprise who continue to make Cleveland Clinic the best place to receive care anywhere and the best place to work in healthcare. Cleveland Clinic’s Gift Planning Team can help you explore charitable giving options that make a lasting impact at Cleveland Clinic in an efficient and beneficial way for you and your family.
See the latest stories of how Giving Does Good at Cleveland Clinic and learn about the many ways to give. You can make a difference in helping us transform the future of healthcare for our patients and our communities.
Get Inspired
2023 Edition
Pyramid 2023 Newsletter >> Excellent Care Sparks Desire to Give Back
Former New York resident Emilie Brady and her late husband, John, have a long history of contributing to their community through volunteer work and philanthropy. Their support of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital was inspired by a visit to its emergency department more than 20 years ago after John suffered an allergic reaction from a bug bite. “The caregivers took such fantastic care of him that I thought, ‘I want to get involved with this hospital,’” said Mrs. Brady. Mrs. Brady joined the hospital’s volunteer organization and became its membership chair. Likewise, after his retirement in 1993, Mr. Brady donated his time to several organizations including the Indian River Shores Public Safety Department and Habitat for Humanity before his passing on August 16, 2023. In addition to the Bradys’ shared passion for volunteer work, they decided to contribute to Indian River Hospital’s mission through charitable gift annuities. Since 2012, the Bradys have given six charitable gift annuities to the Indian River Hospital Foundation. “We give from our heart,” said Mr. Brady. “It’s important to support your local hospital because donations allow the hospital to grow and attract the best doctors. Best of all, the whole community can reap the benefits of receiving quality care.”
Funding Joy One ‘Tail’ at a Time
Pyramid 2023 Newsletter >> Funding Joy One 'Tail' at a Time
Through a blended gift — a combination of a current gift and a legacy gift — to Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Gerry and Diane Wendel have been able to share their passion for finding creative ways to improve the lives of children. Most recently, during a stay at Cleveland Clinic, the Wendels met Kid and Trotter, Cleveland Clinic Children’s golden retriever facility dogs. “It was love at first sight,” said Diane. Upon seeing the joy the dogs brought to the kids receiving treatment, they decided to contribute to the facility dog program too. "A child who is going through an infusion sitting and petting a beautiful golden retriever and as a result not being concerned so much about the infusion — you can see that result,” Gerry said. “You can see that you’re making a difference in people’s lives, and that’s where we get the most joy. A true act of giving is to be able to give and ask for nothing in return but that joy.”
