For the Goldman family, saying thank you to the physicians and nurses who helped save Julia Goldman’s life is a high priority.
Seven years ago, Mrs. Goldman, an active senior citizen, visited her cardiologist and collapsed in the office. Taken by ambulance to Morristown Medical Center, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that was attacking her heart. Surgery was scheduled a few days away, but as her symptoms worsened, James Slater, MD, cardiovascular cardiothoracic surgeon, quickly assembled his team and went to work.
“If this had not happened, my mother wouldn’t have survived,” says daughter Donna Goldman, MD.
Following her chemotherapy, Mrs. Goldman has been in remission, able to see three granddaughters born, watch another granddaughter graduate high school and celebrate her golden wedding anniversary.
“My mom had a spectacular outcome from a horrible illness,” says Dr. Goldman. “Her medical care was excellent. The care and compassion of her physicians and nurses made a huge difference.”
To show their gratitude, the family established the Goldman Family Nursing Scholarship in honor of Kenneth Adler, MD, hematologist/oncologist; Gregory Sachs, MD, cardiologist; and Dr. Slater. The scholarship, extended beyond 2020, provides funds to cardiac and oncology nurses for continuing education.
“We’re honored to give back in a way that’s meaningful,” says Dr. Goldman. “My mom was a nurse who put herself through school; she remembers how hard it was to buy books and pay for her education.”
Pictured: Julia Goldman with granddaughter Teia