This is something I can do to be there for our community

Judy Jolliffe’s connection to Bronson is lifelong. She was born at Bronson Methodist Hospital, and remembers as a young girl going with her grandmother to Bronson Women’s Guild sewing circles and ice cream socials. It seemed only natural that early in her career, while working for IBM, Judy joined the Bronson Health Foundation Board. “I fondly remember the Foundation’s support of new programs, including the Mothers’ Milk Bank and gathering books for babies,” says Judy.

When Judy became executive director of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, she included Bronson as a community partner. When Bronson started building its new hospital in Kalamazoo in the late 90’s, Judy and the Arts Council helped “dress up” the site. “We brought wood panels to the school kids to paint art on them to hide the construction work,” she recalls. She also helped launch the Promising Artists exhibit, bringing the artwork of students from Kalamazoo Public Schools to hospital hallways.

As an active emeritus Bronson Health Foundation board member, she notes how the Foundation is growing and evolving, reaching more patients and helping more people. “From child life specialists, and the addition of cameras in the NICU, to the FUSE program, Bronson Health Foundation is an integral part of this community,” she says.

Judy recently made a long-term commitment to Bronson through planned giving. By deeding her house to the Bronson Health Foundation as part of her estate plan, this legacy donation brings Judy’s relationship with Bronson full circle. “Because Bronson is always there for our community, I feel like this is something I can do to be there for our community, too.”