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PAYING IT FORWARD:  EXTRAORDINARY VISION SECURES TECHNOLOGY TO EXTEND LIFE
Gifting Philanthropy of Malcolm and Sandra Berman
Helps Fight the Battle Against Cancer

When Malcolm and Sandra Berman realized Malcolm needed the expertise of a cancer specialist in November, 2002, it did not take them long to determine that GBMC was one of the best cancer treatment centers in the region and the only hospital locally that offered what he needed. “We had consulted with physicians at Duke and Johns Hopkins and were considering going up to New York to meet with doctors at Sloan Kettering,” explained Mr. Berman, “but GBMC was six minutes from our Baltimore condominium, and the only local hospital doing the Brizel protocol.”

Mr. Berman chose this organ-preservation treatment, named after the doctor who perfected it, because of its potentially good outcome to treat his oral cancer. It involves the concurrent use of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. “Nobody sails through this treatment,” says John R. Saunders, Jr., MD, Director of the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Rehabilitation Center. “But having made this choice is the reason Mr. Berman is doing so well today. We put our first patient on the Brizel protocol four-and-a-half years ago, and have used it on 53 patients,” says Dr. Saunders.

The partnership that developed over the next few months between the Bermans and GBMC’s head and neck cancer program was remarkable. There are those among us who have the ability to turn difficult situations into positive outcomes, and the Bermans can be counted among this group. As Drs. Saunders, Levine and Zinreich worked cohesively as a healthcare team to bring health and healing back to Mr. Berman’s life, the Bermans, in turn, are helping bring healing to the lives of others. “Six weeks in bed gives you a lot of opportunity to think,” notes Mr. Berman. "During my recuperation period I frequently thought, ‘It’s time to do something significant. It’s time to step up to the plate.’ ”

And stepping up to the plate is just what they did. As a result of this extraordinary journey, the Bermans were motivated to pay forward their feeling of gratitude and say thank you to the team of cancer caregivers by making an extremely generous gift to the GBMC Foundation–$2.4 million. This donation helped purchase a new linear accelerator, with cutting-edge Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) technology, for GBMC’s Radiation Oncology Department. Hardware and software add-ons allow the delivery of a higher dose of radiation to cancer patients with pinpoint accuracy. Additionally, their philanthropy has lent support to other Cancer Center programs, allowing the hospital to name the Comprehensive Breast Care Center and the Radiation Oncology Patient Waiting Area in their honor. 

The Bermans, married for over 47 years, have an association with GBMC HealthCare that dates back to the hospital’s earliest days. “One of our sons had his tonsils out at the Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital, which was one of GBMC’s founding hospitals,” says Mrs. Berman, “and two of our grandchildren had theirs out at GBMC. Also, our last grandchild was a GBMC baby.” Mrs. Berman also had a surgical procedure done at GBMC with excellent results. Key to successful treatment, say the Bermans, was the support team that assembled for them. This included: John Saunders, MD, Head and Neck Surgery; Dario Kunar, MD, Otarlaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery; Marshall Levine, MD, Medical Oncology; Eva Zinreich, MD, Radiation Oncology; as well as the nurses and staff of the Joseph S. Keelty Inpatient Oncology Care Unit (34), the Sheila K. Riggs Radiation Oncology Department, and The Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Rehabilitation Center.

“The attention and care we have gotten from the entire GBMC staff has been absolutely phenomenal,” says Mrs. Berman. “God forbid if someone has an illness, but if they do, this is the place they want to be.” The care and service GBMC can offer was most aptly demonstrated to the Bermans by Barbara Messing, MA, CCC-SLP, Manager, Speech-Pathology, who worked with Mr. Berman for many months after his treatment, often three times a week, to help him re-learn how to swallow. “Barbara was truly an inspiration,” adds Mr. Berman. “Our contribution is a way of showing GBMC how appreciative we are for the care and service that has been given to us.”

The gift the Bermans made to GBMC will support the hospital’s continuing commitment to cutting-edge medical care. "Philanthropists, like Mr. and Mrs. Berman have extraordinary vision which has helped GBMC obtain the technical advancements to match the expertise of our physicians,” says Laurence M. Merlis, President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare. “We are extremely grateful for their generosity and the compassion they have for helping others improve their odds of wining the battle against cancer.”

Sandra and Malcolm Berman (center) join Dr. John Saunders (far left) and
speech/pathology manager, Barbara Messing, for a photo.