Kaisers' blended gift benefits givers and receiver
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Promise magazine.
Dr. Stephen and Marty Kaiser
Adding to a lifetime of generous giving, Dr. Stephen Kaiser, a retired Summa Health physician, and his wife, Marty, a retired nurse, recently blended their generosity, combining an annual gift and a deferred estate gift. They were surprised to learn that such an arrangement came with tax benefits and permanent, prominent recognition in the new patient tower on the Akron Campus.
Dr. and Mrs. Kaiser have been both providers and patients at Summa Health, having undergone several successful cardiovascular procedures over the years. For that reason, part of their recent gift supports cardiovascular research and education. Other areas of care they have supported over more than three decades of giving include behavioral health, senior health, palliative care and emergency medicine.
“One of our first gifts to Summa Health was from an IRA,” said Dr. Kaiser. “Donating by direct transfer from the IRA to Summa helped us reduce our adjusted gross income. It gave us a great way to help ourselves and Summa at the same time.”
Their recent blended gift offers similar tax benefits. Summa Health is honored to recognize the Kaisers on a plaque in the elevator lobby on the fifth floor of the new patient tower. For Summa, it means a guaranteed gift now and later.
“Summa is something special,” said Dr. Kaiser. “As patients, Marty and I received excellent care. From the registration staff, to the housekeeping teams to the doctors and nurses who cared for us, we always had a great experience.”
“Everyone has such a positive attitude,” said Marty. “We are so blessed to have such wonderful care right here in Akron.”
As members of the Summa Health Seniors Institute Leadership Council, the Kaisers are generous with their time as well, serving as advisors, advocates and philanthropic partners of the health system. “We are so grateful to share our blessings,” they said. “It means a lot to us to know that our gift will still be helping generations to come after we’re gone.”
For more information about planned giving at Summa Health, contact Barbara Boyce at 330.375.6356 or boyceb@summahealth.org.