Long before Robert A. ever turned to the MGH for care, he and his wife were devoted to the hospital. “We sent contributions to the MGH for many years,” says Mr. Anderson. “It was on general principle. We both felt the same way about the MGH. We knew it was a renowned institution.”
Mr. A. turns to the MGH for his own medical treatment. Douglas Mathisen, MD, chief of general thoracic surgery at the hospital, performed a thoracoscopy on Mr. A. six years ago. This minimally invasive lung surgery uses an endoscope and a tiny camera to examine the lungs and obtain biopsy tissue. Mr. A.’s biopsy fortunately was found to be benign. “I go back to see Dr. Mathisen once a year,” he says.
Mr. A. attended the Yawkey Center open house prior to the building’s opening in the fall of 2004, and was very impressed. “My neighbor and I came to tour the Yawkey Center,” he recalls. “I’m sure the hospital received larger gifts than mine, but it does make me feel good to support such an important building.”
Mr. A. continues to give to the MGH Fund and regularly attends the Bulfinch Lectures, special speaking presentations that are open to annual donors. “I enjoy those talks,” he says, noting that he has learned about conditions ranging from neurological diseases to lung cancer.
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