Sherry and David Kirchheimer

Dr. Mathies was the longest serving board member in the hospital’s history. His career began in 1974 as dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC and it included helping Huntington secure its transformational affiliation with Cedars-Sinai in 2021. He was appointed president and chief executive officer of Huntington Hospital in 1985, followed by president emeritus upon his retirement in 1995. Over his nearly 50 years of distinguished and innovative service to our community, Dr. Mathies helped lead the expansion of our emergency department, the construction of our east and west towers, and the ongoing elevation of our care services.

Centered on our community.

Since moving to the Crescenta Cañada Valley four decades ago, Sherry and David Kirchheimer and their family have considered Huntington and our personnel among the community’s greatest treasures. Thus, they were thrilled to become involved. Sherry, a family nurse practitioner, did her training at Huntington, while David has been a board member here since 2009.

In grateful recognition of Allen W. Mathies, Jr., MD
President and CEO • 1985 to 1995
Continuing service as president emeritus and board member

Sherry and David Kirchheimer recently made a gift in honor of Allen W. Mathies, Jr., MD. The main board room that Dr. Mathies created as president is now named the Mathies Board Room.

As Sherry and David got to know Dr. Mathies and his lovely wife, Weta, they learned that they had more in common than just their mutual affinity for Huntington, dogs, the San Gabriel Valley and trips to Utah. By a striking coincidence, all four were undergraduates at small a Colorado College! “To us, that liberal arts education helped explain Allen and Weta’s broad range of interests, roles and community activities,” says Sherry. “In so many professional and personal respects, you couldn’t find more inspiring individuals.”

Huntington heroes.

David provides a perspective from his Huntington service, now including the boards of trustees and Cedars-Sinai Health System. “Dr. Mathies stands out by virtue of his longevity and influence, but what’s truly remarkable is that Huntington is full of extraordinarily skilled medical and administrative personnel who possess the same inspiring attributes,” he says.

One such individual is Michael Gurevitch, MD, who was medical director of our respiratory services and pulmonary laboratory in 2011. Dr. Gurevitch inspired the Kirchheimers to make a gift in support of our pulmonary rehabilitation program. Sherry recalls, “Working for Dr. Gurevitch as a nurse practitioner, I saw firsthand how the benefit of our philanthropy was multiplied many times over through the vision, resolve and compassion of Huntington’s amazing people.”

Building a brighter future.

How could the Kirchheimers best honor Dr. Mathies with their latest gift to Huntington? Between Sherry’s family history with cancer and the community’s pressing need, Huntington Cancer Center seemed most compelling. And to further sustain his legacy, the main board room that Dr. Mathies created as president is now named the Mathies Board Room.

Huntington has long provided exceptional cancer care, from screening and diagnosis through treatment and supportive services. By enhancing Huntington Cancer Center, we are able to take this care to a higher level. Expanded services will include an on-site infusion center and access to clinical trials offered by Cedars-Sinai Cancer. Support from donors like the Kirchheimers will ensure patients conveniently have access to this level of care in Pasadena.

Enduring legacies.

“Just as Drs. Gurevitch and Mathies inspired us,” concludes David, “we’re gratified by how countless others have made gifts to honor those at Huntington who have made profound contributions to the well-being of our community, while supporting important funding needs. That said, the list of potential future honorees and funding needs remains long.”

David and Sherry also were gratified that Dr. Mathies knew of the gift and naming in his honor shortly before his death in February 2023, at the age of 92.

Transformational giving.

To honor and thank our most generous supporters, Huntington Hospital established our Benefactor Circle program. Donors contributing gifts of $250,000 or more join this program and help provide the highest level of support for ongoing needs and other transformative work here.

Benefactor Circle donors receive a Benefactor Card to facilitate additional patient support services on campus and in our Nan and Howard Schow Emergency & Trauma Center. They also enjoy special recognition on our campus.

For more information about our Benefactor Circle, please contact Cathi Chadwell, executive director of philanthropy and public affairs, at (626) 397-3241.