As a child, Patrick White, MD, had the unique opportunity to make house calls with his father, a physician, on patients who suffered from cystic fibrosis, a life-limiting lung disease.
“It was inspiring to see the gratitude of patients and families as my dad offered compassion and care,” Patrick says.
This example led Patrick to follow in his father’s footsteps. Patrick became a physician and directed his medical focus to finding better ways to care for patients at the end of life. Today, Patrick is chief medical officer for BJC Hospice and is leading the care team for a new hospice house in St. Louis known as Evelyn’s House.
Philanthropy through The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital was essential to making Evelyn’s House a reality. After Patrick saw firsthand the impact that giving has on patient care, he was moved to become a donor, too.
“It’s humbling to see the altruism of our community,” Patrick says. “It has inspired me and my wife, Libby, to personally donate, knowing that we, too, can help.”
While Patrick gives as a donor personally, his work allows him to use other donor gifts to improve patient care. Because of donor generosity, Patrick and the hospice care team can provide a full spectrum of end-of-life care to patients through Evelyn’s House and BJC Hospice.
“Gifts through the Foundation are making it possible for us to train and educate more doctors and nurses around the community about how to provide the most compassionate, skilled care at the end of life,” Patrick says. “I’m forever grateful to the patients, families, and other donors who have given to make life better for so many others.”