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Dr. Kavle Remembered Through Endowment
For thirty-five years, Bryn Mawr was truly a central part of life for the Kavle Family.
A proud member of the medical staff from 1968 to 2003, Dr. Jim Kavle practiced anesthesiology at the Hospital, while his wife Hazel volunteered in the Thrift Shop and held several positions on the Devon Horse Show Committee. Their sons Ed and Jim were also no strangers to Bryn Mawr. "Our sons kept the Emergency Department busy with their numerous sports injuries!" Hazel fondly recalls.
Dr. Kavle, a graduate of the University of Buffalo Medical School, first toyed with the idea of becoming a surgeon before deciding on anesthesiology. An avid lover of fishing and boating, he met Hazel during their undergraduate days at the University of Pennsylvania.
Bryn Mawr Hospital was the only place where he practiced during his thirty-five year career in medicine.
"My husband Jim felt very much at home at Bryn Mawr and enjoyed witnessing the Hospital's growth and progress during his tenure. He felt that the environment was professional with the latest technology and experienced clinicians," Hazel says. "He was a very kind physician and most of all, he loved his patients," she continues. "In a collection of letters, several patients exclaimed, 'I gave my life to you; thank you for giving it back to me.'" In September 2003, Dr. Kavle was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Sadly, the disease quickly spread and he passed away in December 2003.
The Kavle's lifelong tie to Bryn Mawr Hospital is what motivated Hazel and her family to establish the C. James Kavle, MD Memorial Endowment for Community Services in memory of their husband, father and grandfather through a charitable remainder trust. "I know my husband would be thrilled that we are making a gift in his honor," she says. "He strongly believed in the power of charitable giving, and supported numerous community programs and causes throughout his lifetime."
Mrs. Kavle, who resides in New Jersey, explains, "We expect Bryn Mawr Hospital to be there for the community, as it was for our family. We know that Bryn Mawr Hospital was built with charitable support and will continue to grow with charitable support."
This story is taken from page 8 of the Fall 2009 Bryn Mawr Hospital Partners magazine.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of creating a charitable remainder trust.