Donor Stories
Why Give?
The generosity of our donors has been critical to MetroHealth’s success for nearly two centuries. Learn more about this compassionate community and what drives them to give to The MetroHealth Foundation.
Champion of Philanthropy: Dr. Justin Mistovich
Dr. Justin Mistovich approaches his job as a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon much as he would approach taking care of a tree – problems won’t be fixed by plucking one leaf, but rather by applying care at the roots.
My MetroHealth Story - Jon Pressnell
For Jon Pressnell, Chair of the MetroHealth Foundation Board of Directors and Partner at Blue Point Capital Partners, MetroHealth is more than a hospital. It’s part of his family’s story.
Dr. Al Connors and Dr. Mimi Lam: A Legacy of Care, Commitment and Community
For Drs. Connors and Lam, philanthropy has never been about recognition. It has always been about responsibility to the community, to our patients, to future trainees and to the mission that shaped their lives.
Champion of Philanthropy: Jessica Chupnick
A child’s laughter can brighten even the grayest of days. Jessica Chupnick is one of the lucky ones; she gets to hear children giggling with excitement all the time, even though they may be facing what seem like insurmountable odds.
Honoring Excellence: Dr. J. Daryl Thornton Invested as the Inaugural Mary Elizabeth Connors Professor in Critical Care Research
On March 31, 2026, colleagues, family members and friends gathered in the Alfred F. Connors, Jr., MD Auditorium to celebrate a milestone for both The MetroHealth System (Cleveland, OH) and the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine: the investiture of Daryl Thornton, MD, MPH, as the inaugural Mary Elizabeth Connors Professor in Critical Care Research.
Healing With Purpose: Dr. Meera Kondapaneni and the Future of Heart Care at MetroHealth
For Dr. Meera Kondapaneni, healing is both a calling and a responsibility – a commitment rooted in the values she learned in a small town in South India, where doctors and teachers were the people who shaped community life.
Nourishing Health, Nourishing Hope: Kristen Matlack and the Power of Food as Medicine
For nearly five years, Kristen Matlack, Manager of Social Care Initiatives at the MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E.™, has built her career on a simple but profound belief: every person deserves the basic conditions that make good health possible.
Champion of Philanthropy: Mala Singh Inspires Colleagues to Give Back
Mala is of the belief that the more you give, the better, because it comes back to you in some way.
Partnering for Parents: MetroHealth and Project NICU Launch Respite Room
“All the things they thought their pregnancy and birth would be are now different. The Respite Room is another way for parents to know that we really care about them. We’re here to support them and give them as much comfort as we can.”
Champion of Philanthropy: Diane Dunleavy Leads by Example – At Work, On the Course and Across the Community
“I’ve always believed in giving back. I know that at any point it could be me, my family, my friend. It’s important to set an example and lead by example.” – Diane Dunleavy