My MetroHealth Story: Larry Mack

Like so many relationships in life, Larry Mack’s service on the Board of Directors at The MetroHealth Foundation is built on trust.

What started as a simple conversation with a friend and colleague has blossomed into work that aligns with his Jewish values of righteous giving and repairing the world.

“MetroHealth is certainly repairing the world, our city and our county on a daily basis, and we have an obligation to provide the support to those in need in the community, regardless of their circumstance,” Larry said.

Though MetroHealth’s mission aligns with his own values, Larry admits that he knew very little about the safety-net health system before being approached by Debbie Rothschild, Director of Principal Gifts at The MetroHealth Foundation. He first worked with Debbie at the Montefiore Home in Beachwood, where he was the Board Chair and Debbie led development efforts.

Before joining the Board, Larry spent several months learning about MetroHealth and meeting with Foundation leaders, including Kate Brown, President of The MetroHealth Foundation and Chief Development Officer at MetroHealth; Alfred F. Connors, Jr., MD, then-Chair of the Foundation Board; and Marcy Shankman, who chaired the Board Development Committee. The more he learned, the more convinced he became that MetroHealth’s mission aligned with his own commitment to service and helping those in need.

Larry found that MetroHealth’s tagline of “Dedicated to Hope, Health and Humanity” resonated with him.

“MetroHealth is devoted to the community. It’s an unwavering commitment to the community, which is something truly special that sets it apart,” Larry said. “MetroHealth provides hope to patients as they recover, both physically and mentally. They are treating the whole person and the whole community. Everyone is treated with dignity and compassion.”

MetroHealth’s mission also aligns with the work of organizations where Larry serves on the board, including Cleveland Hillel, the Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland and the Mandel Jewish Community Center. 

As a retired Executive Vice President at KeyBank, Larry has plenty of organizations seeking his involvement on their boards. He limits his board service to ensure each nonprofit gets the time, attention and support it deserves.

Larry says his service on The MetroHealth Foundation Board has been far more rewarding than he anticipated.

“In the two years that I’ve been involved, I’ve gotten back a lot more than I’ve put in,” Larry said. “The unbelievable work that MetroHealth does pushes me to do as much as I can to support the organization.”

As a Foundation Board member, Larry has seen firsthand how MetroHealth and philanthropy are changing lives throughout Northeast Ohio. He has been introduced to communities, cultures and needs he might not otherwise have experienced.

For example, he participated in Cleveland’s Puerto Rican Parade, an experience he found inspirational because of the strong community support on display. In November, he served at a MetroHealth food drive at the MetroHealth Parma Medical Center.

In addition to volunteer activities, Larry has gained a behind-the-scenes look at how philanthropy improves patient care. As a Foundation Board member, he helped evaluate proposals for funding through a generous grant made possible by the Roots & Wings Foundation. A total of $350,000 is available to support programmatic, research, educational and capital projects that benefit children from the prenatal period through age 3 and their families.

Reviewing proposals from teams across MetroHealth gives Larry a firsthand look at the creativity and compassion that drive the organization's mission.

As the Board considers those proposals, Larry said he sees firsthand the passion involved in caring for patients as caregivers strive to lighten the load for children and families in ways both big and small.

“It’s an eye-opener to what goes on at MetroHealth and just the little things that will make a difference in both the patients’ and staff's lives,” he said.

Spreading the Word

Larry likes to share personal stories of patients' triumphs and challenges when speaking with prospective donors. They don't all have to be dramatic stories, he said. Often, it's the everyday examples of compassion and care that resonate most.

Last year, Larry said he hosted a gathering at his house for friends to learn about MetroHealth. During the event, guests heard from Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager, President and CEO at MetroHealth, about plans for the transformation of the Main Campus Emergency Department. The conversation also highlighted MetroHealth's School Health Program, which provides care to students, families and staff throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan School District through school-based clinics, mobile units and telehealth services.

One guest who had never donated to MetroHealth before was so moved by the story of the School Health Program that she made a $25,000 gift to support it.

For Larry, it was a powerful reminder that philanthropy often begins with understanding.

"When people hear these stories and see the impact MetroHealth has on our community, they want to help," he said. "Everybody can relate to a story and understand better what the mission is all about."

Debbie said the Foundation Board appreciates Larry’s time, effort and expertise.

“Larry’s commitment to the work he does at MetroHealth and throughout the community – that’s the kind of commitment we’re looking for,” she said. “MetroHealth needs support, that’s a given, but we want people’s thoughtfulness and commitment with their big-picture ideas. That kind of commitment is really important as we build the Foundation and move forward.”

For more information, contact Debbie Rothschild, Director of Principal Gifts, at 440-592-1399 or drothschild@metrohealth.org.