Chris and Mary Jane Beck

Inspired by Impact

Doylestown area residents Chris and Mary Jane Beck met during their senior year at the University of Delaware while Mary Jane was studying nursing, and Chris was a business student. According to Chris, “I walked past the nursing building every day,” but it wasn’t until their roommates started dating that they finally made a lifelong connection.

After graduation, Mary Jane and Chris pursued their respective careers. Chris earned an MBA from Lehigh University and began a decades-long career in investment management, even returning to the University of Delaware for a time to serve as chief investment officer (CIO). Chris recently retired from his leadership role at Delaware Investments/Macquarie Group where he served as CIO for the firm’s Small and Mid-Cap Value Equity team. Mary Jane continued her nursing education, specializing in oncology, and then worked as a visiting nurse. She retired from nursing to raise their three children, but “I’ve always felt very connected to healthcare,” said Mary Jane.

When the Becks approached retirement, they envisioned spending more quality time with their children and two grandchildren—all living in the Philadelphia area. They also considered where their philanthropic giving could continue to make the biggest impact. “When we thought about where we want to give, we focused on causes we value—quality healthcare, wounded warrior programs, cultural programs, and the arts,” said Mary Jane. “It is important to us to support healthcare right here in our own community where our friends and family can benefit from it,” she continued.

Through ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health, the Becks invested in a number of strategic priorities over the past few years, including the rebuilding of Children’s Village, surgical services enhancements, prenatal care and education, to name a few.

Chris and Mary Jane Beck are inspired by the impact their gifts to ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health have already made for families in the community— from rebuilding Children’s Village to the purchase of new fetal monitoring technology for the VIA Maternity Center.

More recently, Chris and Mary Jane gave a lead gift to support the purchase of wireless fetal monitoring technology for the VIA Maternity Center after learning about its benefits to laboring moms from hospital leadership. “Our conversations with the Foundation leaders and the clinical teams underscored the positive impact wireless fetal monitors have for moms in labor,” said Mary Jane. The wireless fetal monitoring technology encourages movement during labor and allows mothers to be more mobile, which research shows can potentially shorten the duration of labor. The new wireless monitors are also waterproof, allowing a patient to shower to ease the discomfort of labor.

“I appreciate Chris and Mary Jane’s interest in learning about what Doylestown Health’s goals are to improve the patient experience, and also how their investments will impact our patients,” said Laura Wortman, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for Doylestown Health. “We always welcome the opportunity to facilitate conversations between our clinical teams and our donors. These connections truly benefit everyone involved and highlight the difference philanthropic partnerships can make for our patients’ well-being and comfort.”

Nearly thirty-year residents of Bucks County, Chris and Mary Jane appreciate the quality and close proximity of Doylestown Health’s network of care. Following recent health challenges, Mary Jane sought the support of the occupational, physical and speech therapists at the Doylestown Health Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. “Everyone was so kind and helpful,” said Mary Jane. “I quickly learned that all the elements of therapy, including speech therapy, were essential to making strides in my recovery.” The Becks’ most recent gift is directed to the support of the rehabilitation program. “We can always count on Doylestown Health to deliver excellent care,” said Chris.

The Becks are confident that investing in the future of Doylestown Health is sure to yield a high-impact return. “We trust Doylestown Health,” said Mary Jane. “We also believe that if you’ve been given good things in life as we have, that it’s essential to give back,” Chris added. “Strengthening healthcare for our community, and our future is worth it.”

To learn more about the VIA Maternity Center, please visit DoylestownHealth.org/Maternity

Fill Our Bucket

A person who shows kindness and does something special for someone else is known as a “bucket filler.” Doylestown Health invites bucket fillers of all ages to continue to join in supporting the needs of Children’s Village as they become established in their new home. Everything from art supplies to additional classroom seating to library books is still needed to enhance learning needs.

Naming opportunities are also available at a number of gift levels.

To learn more, please visit: doylestownhealthfoundation.org/bucket

Article appears in the 2024 Philanthropy Report

To learn more about the One Vision Campaign and to make a gift to support expanding programs, please visit:
DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/Donate

About Doylestown Health Foundation

As the philanthropic arm of Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, the Doylestown Health Foundation raises funds to safeguard the future of excellence in patient care and to improve the quality of life for all members of our Central Bucks County community and beyond.