Honoring A MENTOR'S LEGACY

When Sally Gammon learned of the naming opportunity for the chapel in Good Shepherd’s new 76-bed rehabilitation hospital in Center Valley, slated to open in 2023, she knew exactly where she wanted to direct her capital campaign gift. And she knew who she wanted to pay tribute to with the gift: the Rev. Dr. Conrad Raker, son of Good Shepherd’s founders, the Rev. John and Estella Raker.

Conrad was administrator from 1941 to 1980. After he retired, he remained a familiar and beloved figure at Good Shepherd where he kept an office in the Raker Center until his passing in 2002.

“I had the privilege of working with Conrad for 5-and-a-half years before he passed,” says Sally, who was Good Shepherd’s president and chief executive officer from 1997 to 2013. “And just like his father, it was all about ‘the cause,’ what we now call the mission, serving children and adults with disabilities.”

At Conrad’s insistence, chapels were incorporated into every new inpatient facility at Good Shepherd. Sally is pleased the new hospital will be no exception. “That was part of the culture from the Raker family,” says Sally. “He and his father were Lutheran ministers, and Good Shepherd is a ministry.”

Steeped in the Lutheran faith that guided his parents for the 72 years they ran Good Shepherd, Conrad also inherited their compassion, which made him a reassuring presence during his tenure as administrator. “Conrad just came from the same stock. That’s what I remember most about him,” says Sally. “He used to walk the halls with the (long-term care) residents, putting his hand on their shoulder and listening to whatever they had to say. He was so kind and such a strong presence.”

Sally recalls when she first came to Good Shepherd. She was thrilled and excited, but also a bit intimidated at the prospect of working with the legendary son of Good Shepherd’s founders. Her fears were quickly allayed.

“Conrad was such a good mentor for so many years,” she says. “He would give me advice and counsel, but he would never hold me back from making bold moves. He was so gracious and willing to help me. He became one of my top mentors of all time.”

As the life cycle of any organization inevitably has its ups and downs, Conrad’s steady faith and calm demeanor gave Sally the strength and support she needed when times got tough. “I would go to his office and sit there, and he would look at me with his kind eyes and say, ‘This too shall pass,’ and I would walk out of there knowing it’s going to be okay. He was really amazing,” she says.

Conrad taught Sally many things, she says, including the fine art of fund raising. Sally recalls lunches with Conrad and donors in his office. They were modest affairs, typically a ham and cheese sandwich. The humble fare was his unassuming way of assuring donors that their gifts would be faithfully stewarded according to their wishes.

“I would listen to him, and he would win people over by explaining the things Good Shepherd was doing,” says Sally. “And by the time he was finished, he had the gift! I learned so much watching and listening to him, which is so important to sustain any nonprofit. He taught me that even if you get a ‘no,’ because of the mission, you should never shy away from asking.”

Sally is proud and excited to support the Hope Starts Here capital campaign for the new hospital with its leadingedge technology, expertise and compassionate care that will transform lives in visionary new ways. She hopes many more donors will join her and be part of this revolutionary facility. “Good Shepherd is always on the leading edge of all the latest technology, and I think this is going to be one of the most successful, futuristic rehabilitation facilities in the country,” she says. “People will come regionally and nationally, because they won’t be able to get what Good Shepherd will offer anywhere else. It’s going to be a special place and help so many gain greater functional independence. That’s why I encourage people to give.” n

Your support of Good Shepherd's new hospital can impact the future of rehabilitation and transform lives. Find out how. Contact Rebecca McAtee, capital campaign manager, at RMcatee@gsrh.org.