A Chance to Give Back

After his retirement as a Northwest Community neurosurgeon, Dr. René Pecson and his wife, Ellen, wanted to "give back" to the community where René enjoyed a successful 30-year career, the couple raised their three children and Ellen was especially active in voluntary service. The Pecsons chose to make a special gift to ensure the quality of nursing care at Northwest Community Hospital for generations to come. They endowed a fund for nursing excellence to support the recognition, education and advancement of the Hospital's nursing staff. Concerned about long-term nursing shortages, Ellen and Rene believe a strong nursing excellence program will help Northwest continue to attract, retain and inspire the loyalty of top quality nurses.

The Pecsons' generous endowment has been invested wisely. While the principal will remain protected, a portion of the earnings will be made available each year to support nursing excellence programs such as ongoing educational opportunities, communication skills training and special recognition of contributions made by nurses at all levels—students, LPNs and RNs.

The Pecsons believe their investment is, ultimately, an investment in excellent patient care for their community, their friends and their loved ones. René says, "I hope that it will truly help the cause, as it is a noble cause—and that it will bear much fruit."