CAROL AND LOU DELLA PENNA

It was nearly 20 years ago that Louis Della Penna first became acquainted with Doylestown Hospital. He came to the ER with chest pains, where doctors stabilized his dire condition.

“I was told I had two hours to live,” said Louis. “They literally saved my life.”

The life he has lived since has included service on the steering committee of Friends of The Heart Institute, as well as the hospital’s Foundation Board of Trustees.

“Doylestown Hospital is a special hospital. They’ve attained a level of quality that is much higher than you’d find in most community hospitals. We’re very proud of what they’ve done,” Louis added.

Family Comes First

“We’ve been blessed with four children and seven grandchildren,” explained Louis. “Five of our grandchildren live in the Doylestown area.”

That’s a large part of the reason why the Della Penna’s took advantage of an opportunity to make a real difference in the community. Through an endowment funded by appreciated gifts of stock, their support of Doylestown Health established the Carol and Louis Della Penna Pediatric Center in 2014.

“It’s very exciting for us to think we’ve been able to do something for the community and for the hospital. We need a thriving, full-service hospital that covers all areas of healthcare,” said Louis.

“My husband and I both really love children and watching them grow. This is an investment for my grandchildren and all the grandchildren and young families in the community,” Carol, affectionately called ‘Grammy’ by her grandchildren, said.

A View Toward the Future

The Della Penna’s are eager to watch their namesake center grow.

“We are hoping that with our leadership gift, the community will embrace this and fully embrace the wonderful opportunity to enhance Doylestown Hospital and the community,” Louis shared. “This is something we believe in and we hope others in the community will as well.”