HERSHEY, Pa. — Mary Simmonds, an oncology physician, educator and leader with deep roots in central Pennsylvania, has made the largest leadership commitment to date to support the new Penn State Health Cancer Center at Hampden Medical Center. Additional leadership gifts have also been made by the Jordan Hill Foundation, Bruce and Ruth Rudderow, Carole DeSoto and Doris Brytz.
“We are grateful for the many dedicated partners and community friends who have helped bring our exceptional cancer care closer to home for more of our patients, while meeting ever-growing patient care needs on the West Shore,” said Michael Kupferman, CEO of Penn State Health. “Together we have created not only a state-of-the-art facility, but also a vibrant, welcoming place for our patients, families, staff and visitors.”
For Simmonds, supporting the new Cancer Center brought her career, volunteerism and philanthropy full circle. A fourth-generation medical provider, Simmonds completed her fellowship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and went on to join the faculty of Penn State College of Medicine. Later, she served as an oncologist with Andrews Patel Hematology/Oncology, and was proud to be the first female physician to care for patients in her hometown of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. After retiring from Andrews Patel, which joined Penn State Health in 2018, Simmonds chaired Penn State Health’s Cancer Development Committee, helping to raise funds and awareness for oncology initiatives at Penn State Cancer Institute, the College of Medicine and across the health system — including the new Cancer Center at Hampden Medical Center. When patients, families and visitors enter the center, they will recognize Simmonds’ familiar name on the center’s main reception and registration area, which has been named in honor of her gift.
Penn State Health includes cancer victory bells in oncology clinics and units across the health system. These bells are an important way for patients to celebrate completing treatment and to mark the beginning of the next phase of their cancer journey — hopefully remission and full recovery. One bell installed at the Cancer Center at Hampden Medical Center was sponsored by the Jordan Hill Foundation in memory of Jordan’s father, Larry Hill. The second was sponsored by Ruth and Bruce Rudderow in honor of Ruth’s mother, Patsy Karns. Ruth Rudderow also serves on the Cancer Development Committee.
The art on view in Penn State Health hospitals and the new Cancer Center is also an intentional part of creating a welcoming environment of belonging, comfort and healing. Four commissioned original art works, made by Pennsylvania artists, have been sponsored by Carole DeSoto and will be on view in highly visible public areas in the Cancer Center.
Additionally, an exam room in the medical oncology department of the new Cancer Center has been named in memory of Jeffrey A. Schremp and in recognition of a leadership gift to the new Cancer Center from Schremp’s widow, Doris Brytz, an alumna of Penn State Harrisburg.
These leadership donors and other founding contributors will also be recognized on a donor wall in the lobby of the Cancer Center.
Additional space naming and sponsorship opportunities exist at various gift levels. Individuals interested in supporting the Cancer Center should contact the Office of Development at giving@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or 717-531-8497.
Donors to Penn State Health advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.