Although Jonathan Deutsch is serving his first year on the board of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, his connection to the hospital and BJC HealthCare actually began three generations ago.
It started when his grandparents were involved with the leadership of Jewish Hospital, along with fundraising and volunteering efforts. His parents continued this tradition of helping the hospital.
“The hospital system has always been hugely important to my family and now having an opportunity to get involved and help advance the great work being done is just a small way for me to give back and continue my family’s tradition of supporting BJC HealthCare,” Jonathan says.
He says he was extremely excited when approached about the possibility of joining the board and participating in efforts to support the Foundation’s partnering organizations, including Washington University School of Medicine and The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, and the missions they have to provide world-class health care.
“Since joining the board I have learned just a tiny amount of the great things happening in our medical community and I look forward to learning more and engaging people from our region so they too can better understand and support the medical gems right here in St. Louis,” Jonathan says.
In addition, being on the board has given Jonathan the chance to meet new people outside of his regular circle of acquaintances.
“I have been involved with various boards for the past 26 years and some of my closest friendships have been born out of board service and programs,” he says.
Jonathan is the president and CEO of privately-owned DEMA Engineering Co., a global maker of chemical dispensing equipment and fluid control products.
Active in the community, Jonathan holds the positions of chair of the Millstone Institute and Learning Center advisory committee and president of the Ladue Lacrosse Club. He previously served as chair of the board of the St. Louis Jewish Community Center and member of the boards of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Holocaust Museum and Learning Center and St. Louis Hillel at Washington University.