FALL 2024

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

The Judds’ decision to make a significant gift to Sarasota Memorial will come as no surprise to much of the area’s philanthropic community. Their history with Sarasota stretches all the way back to 1953 when Ann’s family made their move here from blustery Chicago. Like many transplants, Ann’s family was drawn to the vibrant cultural scene—she recalls there was even an orchestra back then—but the move was also to “get out of the cold.” Of course.

The weather up north did not stop Ann from returning to Chicago to study psychology at Northwestern University. There, she met and fell in love with Steve. Theirs is a love story with longevity; the couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at their summer home in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

After completing their undergraduate degrees, Steve joined Ford Motor Company and the Judds moved to Detroit. Following several business transfers including a couple of wonderful years in Canada, Steve and Ann decided to make a permanent move back to Sarasota, where Steve has been practicing law for 45 years and Ann has been an active member of the real estate community. They both enjoy tennis, boating and golf.

The Evolution of SMH
For nearly 100 years, Sarasota Memorial has been providing excellent healthcare and expanding to serve a growing community. Opening as a 32-bed hospital, Sarasota Memorial has grown to a 1,075-bed, two-hospital health system spanning the entire county and outpatient centers into Manatee County.

As far back as the Judds can remember, philanthropy and volunteerism have always been a part of the hospital’s legacy. With the hospital’s growth and advancements in medical technology, the need for more organized fundraising led to the creation of the Century Club in 1965. Members donated $100 per year or $1,000 for a lifetime membership. The funds raised primarily helped SMH stay technologically current by assisting in the purchase of unbudgeted equipment. In 1974, the hospital wanted to acquire another costly piece of state-of-the-art medical equipment, but the Century Club’s coffers just could not cover it.

According to Steve, it was around that time that the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation was born. The nonprofit organization was incorporated and renamed Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation in 1976. Fast forward to 1989, and Steve Judd was recruited to join the board and help step up its fundraising efforts.

Strengthening Ties
Over the years, the Judds, their family members and their friends relied on the hospital for healthcare. As active members of the community, Ann and Steve developed personal relationships with both hospital leadership and medical staff. Fostering those relationships, along with philanthropic support, served them well when they navigated their own healthcare needs. “SMH has always been such a valuable asset to this community,” says Ann. “We’ve been well taken care of and are so grateful for the care we’ve received.”

Giving with Intention
There are myriad ways to make a gift through the Healthcare Foundation. Like most couples who worked hard and accrued assets over their lifetime, the Judds occasionally review their estate planning and recently notified the Healthcare Foundation that they have made a planned gift. “Between my tenure on the board and our personal experiences at SMH, supporting the hospital was always on our minds,” Steve says. “When to make our major gift was just a matter of timing.”

Intentionally, their gift will honor those who cared for their family for over seven decades and will help secure SMH’s future for years to come. Personally, for this couple who lost their only child in 2010, it also creates a meaningful legacy.

There are other benefits of planned giving, too. Gifts can be made with a variety of assets and reduce income tax or capital gains. Also, planned gifts can be directed to a particular program or service that has special meaning. Several years ago, Steve underwent quintuple bypass surgery at SMH. So grateful for the care he received, the Judds chose to direct their gift to Cardiac Services. In recognition of their generosity, the Non-Invasive Cardiology area at SMH-Sarasota bears their name.

“To know our gift will help to sustain the quality of care at SMH for years to come is both powerful and heartening,” says Steve. “I would encourage others to do the same if they can—it’s a great feeling when you do it.”