Helping Those Who Care For Others

By Walter Groff, M.D.

As a member of Overlook's medical staff for 35 years, I can attest that top-notch nurses are vital to top-notch care. That's why my wife, Patricia, a former nurse, and I decided to establish a scholarship fund to help Overlook employees who want to pursue a nursing degree.

After we had written our final tuition check for our youngest daughter and were finally able to make a meaningful difference in others' lives, we set up a fund with the help of Overlook Foundation in memory of our late parents.

The Dorothy and Edward Brill and Muriel and Donald Groff, M.D., Scholarship Fund began in 2009 as a way to help paraprofessionals who were not yet nurses earn their associate degree in nursing or registered nurse diploma. As the nursing profession grew in complexity, we recognized the importance of supporting RNs who wanted to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing, a more expensive but broader educational path.

Each year we contribute from our Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to the fund. If you're older than 70½, like us, and don't rely on the IRA income, it's a very convenient, tax-efficient way to reduce taxable income and still make a donation.

Last year, we awarded eight stipends. One student wrote to tell us that the money enabled her to purchase a computer, which she desperately needed for her coursework.

We've always been inspired to help "bootstrappers," those who juggle a full-time job and family responsibilities with school on the side. I respect them so much, and they deserve assistance.

I'd like to do more, so I am exploring ways through my estate plan to build the endowment large enough to sustain the scholarship program indefinitely.

Would you like to sustain top-notch care through a planned gift? Contact Kenneth D. Cole at 973.818.9874 or kenneth.cole@atlantichealth.org. He's been talking with me and can talk with you, too.