Doing His Part Rick Kalish
When Rick Kalish first visited the Adventist Health Glendale medical center, it was just a regular shortcut though Glendale on his bike ride home. The West Tower wasn’t yet built, and he never thought it would become such an integral part of his full and busy life with his wonderful wife Patricia, three children, and four grandchildren.
Rick Kalish, Adventist Health Glendale donor and grateful patient
About five years ago, congestive heart failure triggered the first of seven trips to the hospital. As a contractor and commercial developer of medical, pharmaceutical, and professional projects, Rick understands when a system is working well, and when it isn’t. What he experienced right away at Adventist Health Glendale was the compassionate and attentive care he received from the many physicians, nurses and caregivers at the medical center.
One visit amid the pandemic, he had to wait in the Emergency Department for over 16 hours, yet his appreciation was not deterred. Rather, his insightful observations included how diligently the care staff tended to patients even at full capacity. He noted the many sacrifices caregivers made during the pandemic, even if it meant risking bringing Covid home with them to their families. This keen understanding of what a health system requires to work at its best is why Rick appreciates every smile he receives and getting a response when sharing his admittedly dry sense of humor. His generosity also includes paying for a nurse’s parking or sharing a positive experience on the Daisy Awards form — a priceless effort demonstrating how he values every component contributing to a well-run medical center.
As a charitable donor to several different causes, Rick does his due diligence to understand how an organization stands behind its communications, and whether they are efficient in their appeals. He feels good supporting the causes he’s chosen, and while he knows no system is perfect, it’s clear that his success in life is credit to his optimism and curiosity about the underlying reasons of an organization’s success.
Rick feels seen by Adventist Health Glendale, a system he relies on for his care. And as a frequent observer, he appreciates a medical center for the personal connections and the conscientious caregivers. He knows that every gift matters, and by doing his part, he can help his hospital and all those within in to prosper.
We are so grateful for thoughtful and generous donors like Patricia and Rick Kalish, who make every gift count. At Adventist Health Glendale, Annual Giving is just one way to keep the system of community healthcare available to all. Make your gift today!