Every day as I walk through the hallways at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), I see the impact of philanthropy. It is evident in our one-of-a-kind clinical programs and advanced technologies; in our innovative research and groundbreaking discoveries; and in the compassionate and comprehensive care we provide to our patients.
I have the unique privilege to meet with and get to know many of our dedicated partners in philanthropy. They invest in our institution and the future health care needs of our patients, and turn our ambitious visions into notable realities.
Two of our most steadfast partners, Roslyn and Leonard Stoler, have embraced the future promise of UMMC by giving the largest gift in the history of our institution. Their extraordinary generosity, along with a significant commitment from the State of Maryland, has led to the realization of a longtime vision for UMMC: a new, state-of-the-art building that will change the face of our medical campus and expand our prestigious Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.
I invite you to read more about the Stoler family and their extensive legacy of giving at UMMC. (See their story on Page 6). We are forever grateful for their partnership in making our oncology program among the finest in the world.
Joining the Stolers in demonstrating outstanding generosity toward UMMC are many more partners, featured in this issue of IMPACT. Their collective philanthropy plays an indispensable role in all of our pursuits, providing us with the resources to turn our creative ideas into tangible solutions.
On behalf of the entire UMMC community, I thank you for your dedication to our mission. It is through your support that UMMC will continue to reach even greater heights.
Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA President and Chief Executive Officer
University of Maryland Medical Center
The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Professor of Radiation Oncology University of Maryland School of Medicine
In April the University of Maryland Medical Center unveiled the Fannie Angelos Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility that will allow scientists to create the next generation of cell therapies for advanced and resistant forms of leukemia and lymphoma.
Baltimore attorney and Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos made a lead gift to the lab, which was named in memory of his sister who passed away in 2015 of complications from a bone marrow disorder. The laboratory is also made possible thanks to the partnership of Neil and Emily Kishter and the family of Hamish and Christine Osborne.
“We are extremely grateful to our partners in philanthropy who made significant contributions to this remarkable new lab,” says Kevin Cullen, MD, the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Distinguished Professor in Oncology and director of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC). “Philanthropic support is crucial for our success. It allows us to invest in innovative research, advanced equipment and technology, and state-of-the-art facilities, all of which improve health outcomes locally and worldwide.”
Kim Hankey, PhD, is the new director of the Fannie Angelos Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory and will help to implement new research and cellular therapy projects, and Clarissa Saba is the new quality manager of the lab.
In the Fannie Angelos Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory, scientists produce cell-based therapies and cancer vaccines for immunotherapy research. Prior to the lab’s opening, researchers relied on outside facilities and other academic institutions for genetically modified cells to treat patients in clinical trials.
“Having our own cell-processing laboratory
increases our ability to offer novel and promising cell-based therapies to our patients,” says Aaron P. Rapoport, MD, professor of medicine and the Gary Jobson Professor in Medical Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program and co-leader of the Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy Research Program at UMGCCC. “It also helps our investigators move their basic and preclinical research into the clinic more quickly so that patients may benefit from our discoveries.”
In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for certain types of cancer. A patient’s own immune cells, or T cells, can be genetically engineered to recognize and attack a cancer. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two versions of immunotherapy, which are known as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies — one for children and young adults with leukemia and another for adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The latter is now offered at UMGCCC. In addition, researchers are testing cancer vaccines and antibody-based therapies to stimulate the immune system to kill other kinds of cancer cells.
Since 1998, Dr. Rapoport has led six major clinical trials with more than 150 patients. In his most recent study, patients with multiple myeloma — a cancer of the bone marrow — underwent a stem cell transplant to harvest their T cells. While T cells typically use a protein to fight off an infection, they often do not recognize cancer cells. As a result, the disease spreads.
In the clinical trial, Dr. Rapoport and his team reengineered the harvested T cells and infused them back into the patient. The results showed significant success using genetically modified T cells to treat patients with multiple myeloma.
Aaron P. Rapoport, MD“
after 20 years, Bobby ginsberg’s partnership with the university of maryland marlene and stewart greenebaum comprehensive cancer continues to evolve
For S. Robert “Bobby” Ginsberg, it’s always been about relationships.
Over the years, his connections with people have led to many great successes. Bobby is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Contracting Group, an established general contracting business in the Mid Atlantic; and he is extremely charitable, especially to the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.
As an active member of the UMGCCC Board of Advisors and chairman of its biennial golf tournament, Bobby has raised significant funds and donated much of his time to the cancer center over the years. This year’s golf tournament alone raised more than $550,000.
“Building and maintaining relationships with people is everything,” Bobby says. “It is important in every area of a person’s life — both personally and professionally. It is through these relationships that doors open and new opportunities develop.”
Baltimore roots
Born and raised in Baltimore, Bobby had an early interest in construction
and got his first professional glimpse during a summer job in college. He left shortly thereafter to enlist in the Air Force Reserve, where he served six months on active duty in the medical unit.
Upon his return to Baltimore, the same owner of the construction company offered him a position to work on a larger project. It was there that he started to learn the business side of the construction industry.
Two years later, Bobby moved on again — this time to finish his degree at the University of Maryland. After graduation, he began working with a former work colleague at a startup construction company.
“At this job, I literally did everything from digging ditches in the morning to writing payroll, paying bills, and estimating the next job in the afternoon,” Bobby recalls. “My days were long, but evidently I must have loved it.”
Six years later in 1979, Bobby founded Chesapeake Construction Company, known today as Chesapeake Contracting Group (CCG). In the company’s first year, Bobby was the only employee. While he found success working on small projects, he wanted the opportunity to build something bigger.
Building and maintaining relationships with people is everything. It is important in every area of a person’s life — both personally and professionally. It is through these relationships that doors open and new opportunities develop.”
Bobby Ginsberg
“I had an approach from the very beginning that I wasn’t going to fail,” Bobby says. “I would do whatever it takes to succeed.”
Through a connection at his former workplace, Bobby was recommended as the project manager for the Hunt Valley Mall project in 1981. It would be the first of many large-scale projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including the demolition and revitalization of that same mall almost 20 years later.
Today, Chesapeake Contracting Group employs more than 140 people.
In the 1990s, as his company continued to grow, Bobby wanted to give back to the community and make a difference in people’s lives.
Bobby reached out to his work colleague and friend, Stewart Greenebaum, a local real estate developer and philanthropist who would later name UMGCCC. Stewart scheduled a tour for Bobby of the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) led by Dr. Mohan Suntha, who now is its president and chief executive officer.
As Bobby walked through UMMC and its cancer center, he was inspired by Dr. Suntha and the cutting-edge research in the lab, the patient-focused treatment environment, and the expertise and compassion of the faculty and staff. He knew right away he wanted to be involved with the cancer center and build on its success.
“Everybody is affected by cancer. You can’t find a family that it hasn’t touched,” Bobby says. “I’ve had cancer in my family, and I’d love to see the disease erased. But it seems that the major challenge with cancer is that it keeps changing, which is why investing in cancer research, innovative
technology, and patient care continues to be so important to me.”
For more than 20 years, Bobby has devoted a significant amount of his time and resources to UMGCCC. Through his relationships in the community, Bobby has recruited new event partners, donors, and sponsors who share his passion for the institution.
“In my company, we are relationship driven and have a sense of loyalty to everyone we encounter — from the client to our CCG team to our subcontractors,” he explains. “When I develop a relationship, I stand behind it and stay with it. This same mindset applies to my commitment to the hospital.”
In 2014, Bobby stepped up as chairman of UMGCCC’s charity golf tournament with two goals in mind: to raise money for the cancer center and to bring awareness to the remarkable advancements and amazing work that is being done every day. Under his leadership, the golf tournament has raised $1.5 million since 2014.
“The money that we raise from the golf tournament all goes directly to the hospital,” Bobby says. “While philanthropy is extremely important, it is just as important to raise public awareness of the cancer center. Many people do not realize all of the wonderful discoveries and
amazing breakthroughs in cancer that have happened here. It is my ongoing purpose to ensure that the faculty and staff of the cancer center have the tools they need to continue to advance their research and make new discoveries that will save more lives.”
Everybody is affected by cancer. You can’t find a family that it hasn’t touched. ”
“
the generosity of Roslyn “Roz” and Leonard “Len” Stoler runs deep at the University of Maryland Medical Center: from an outpatient pavilion to a chemotherapy robot, the Stolers have supported a vast range of priorities over more than two decades of charitable giving to the medical center
Their extraordinary dedication has made an indelible mark on UMMC history — and now, thanks to their latest gift, it will have a profound impact on the future.
By committing $25 million of giving, Roz and Len Stoler help fund a major expansion of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and become the largest private donors to UMMC and the University of Maryland Medical System. Scheduled to open in 2023, the expansive new facility will place the entire cancer center on contiguous floors, connecting to existing areas in the north hospital. Named for Roslyn and Leonard Stoler, the new building will ensure that all people who seek UMGCCC’s advanced care are treated with the most patient-centered approach.
“We knew immediately that this was the kind of project that we wanted to be a part of,” says Len.
Long before Roz and Len were in a position to give this landmark gift to UMMC, they were a young married couple struggling to make ends meet in 1960s Baltimore.
“Roz and I were as poor as church
mice,” Len says. “It was tough.”
Roz and Len were able to draw from their strong work ethic, learned during their respectively modest childhoods, to begin to build a strong future for their family. After working first as a used car salesman and then as a general manager of Maryland
Volkswagen, Len purchased a small car dealership in 1968. He made the business into a tremendous success, leading to the purchase of another car dealership — and then another.
With Len working nearly around the clock, Roz recalls some evenings when she and their two young children, Barry and Harriet, would bring dinner down to the car dealership so the family could be together.
“We would go into Len’s office, and the four of us would have dinner together as a family,” she says.
Ultimately, what started in one 7,500 square-foot building with 22 employees evolved into one of the nation’s largest automobile dealership groups. Today, the Len Stoler Automotive Group has 11 dealerships in Maryland and two in New York, employing a total of more than 400 people.
Helping people is what’s so important to me. It’s what’s so important to us both.”
Roslyn Stoler
As their business became well established throughout the region, Roz and Len began to expand their focus to include community investment as well.
“Helping people is what’s so important to me,” says Roz. “It’s what’s so important to us both.”
The Stolers’ commitment to helping those in need grew even stronger in the early 1990s, when their 4-year-old granddaughter, Lindsay, was diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer at what was then University Hospital, now UMMC. Roz and Len realized that even when patients receive the highest levels of comprehensive care, the experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment can have a tremendous impact on families. The process can involve months and possibly years of consultations and appointments, when the patient must endure what can be very complex therapeutic approaches at facilities that lack the comforts of home. Roz and Len wanted to improve this experience for all involved.
“Our deepest wish is that we can bring some light to people who have less than we have,” Len says. “People with cancer are suffering physically and mentally, and if we can help them in any way, we’re satisfied.”
The couple saw their first opportunity to help in 2002, following a behind-the-scenes tour of UMGCCC by their friend and center namesake, Stewart Greenebaum. They were extremely impressed by the expertise, compassion, and friendliness they found from all of the faculty and staff who crossed their path.
“The staff genuinely cares for their patients and you can see it all of the time,” Len says.
Shortly after the tour, the Stolers made their first major gift to UMMC, supporting the construction of the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Pavilion — a multidisciplinary outpatient treatment facility at the heart of the cancer center. Inside of the pavilion, the couple
also invested in a Nutrition Center to provide snacks to patients and families as they wait for appointments.
In 2007, Roz and Len made another significant investment that funded the Center for Image Renewal, which promotes personal wellbeing and positive self-image for patients dealing with the physical effects of cancer treatment and other conditions.
The center provides an atmosphere of supportive personal care to restore and enhance appearance through individualized consultations, custom
services for skin, hair and body, and other related personal services.
Over the next several years, Roz and Len continued to invest in the cancer center, purchasing advanced equipment, including the Trilogy Linear Accelerator, which combines the capabilities of several external beam radiation technologies in one state-ofthe-art machine, and the Apoteca Chemotherapy Robot, which prepares drug doses three times faster than a pharmacist or technician. They named the latter the “Lindsay Robot” in honor of their granddaughter.
“We truly believe in the leadership of Dr. Mohan Suntha and Dr. Kevin Cullen, as well as all of the extraordinary faculty and staff at the cancer center,” Len says. “It is just an amazing group of people who all have a willingness to serve and care for their patients.”
The Stolers’ historic gift for an expanded, cutting-edge building will enable UMGCCC to provide the most technologically advanced and integrated care to cancer patients.
“Do you know how many times Len and I look at each other and say, ‘Can you believe we’re doing this? Isn’t it wonderful?’” Roz says.
The new building will help cancer center experts meet the escalating demand for treatment well into the future.
“We’re growing very, very rapidly, and it’s really been the success of what we do here in providing multi-disciplinary care, access to cutting-edge clinical trials, and stateof-the-art therapies that has expanded our ability to serve patients,” says Kevin J. Cullen, MD, the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Distinguished Professor in Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Director of UMGCCC. “The Stolers’ gift ensures that we will have a facility that enables us to provide care in as patientcentered a manner as possible.”
Leonard StolerOur deepest wish is that we can bring some light to people who have less than we have. People with cancer are suffering physically and mentally, and if we can help them in any way, we’re satisfied.”
In its most successful year to date, the 2018 Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center Golf Tournament raised more than $550,000 for the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. Thirty-three foursomes played golf at the beautiful Caves Valley Golf Club on Oct. 15.
Starting in 2006, the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center Golf Tournament has evolved into a premier event for UMGCCC thanks to the leadership of Bobby Ginsberg, founder of Chesapeake Contracting Group, this year’s champion sponsor. Involved since the beginning, Bobby stepped up as chairman in 2014 with a desire to transform the tournament into an even larger benefit for the cancer center. Since then, the golf tournament has occurred every other year, raising a combined $1.5 million.
Bobby works in close partnership with Mark Bennett, who also has been involved with the golf tournament since 2006 and is the Senior Vice President of Land Development and Construction for Greenebaum Enterprises, Inc. Together, they recruit many of the golf tournament’s sponsors, foursomes, and partners.
Special thanks to Bobby and Mark for their continued drive to ensure the golf tournament’s success and for their dedication to UMGCCC’s mission. Thank you also to Stuart Weitzman and Marie Bowers for their involvement.
This year’s tournament benefited the pioneering translational research of Dr. Aaron Rapoport. His research demonstrates the potential for genetically engineered patient-derived immune cells to treat advanced and resistant forms of leukemia and lymphoma. This exciting and innovative form of cell therapy is now being applied to other types of cancers as well.
Celebrating its 10th year, the Maryland Half Marathon & 5K brought together more than 1,700 runners and walkers on June 9 to benefit the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s event.
Under the 2018 tax law, it can pay to make a philanthropic gift. The charitable deduction is the only widely-used deduction that is not limited under the new legislation. In some cases, tax benefits are even expanded under the deduction.
Making a cash or planned gift to the University of Maryland Medical Center conveys a strong commitment to the future of our institution and the patients we serve. The following are common methods of giving that have been revised under the new law and offer potential tax benefits:
For cash gifts, the new tax law expands the deduction limit. Previously, gifts of cash could eliminate tax on up to 50 percent of the adjusted gross income each year. Now, the amount increases to 60 percent. Any amount not deductible in a given year can be used to reduce income taxes for up to five additional years. For those who itemize their deductions, a charitable gift may reduce federal and state income taxes.
In addition, the law repealed a provision that requires higher income taxpayers to reduce their itemized deductions by a percentage of their income, which caused some donors to lose up to 80 percent of the value of their deductions. Now, donors previously affected by this limitation can enjoy the full value of their deductions.
The new law retains special tax benefits when giving securities. Donors should consider donating securities if they have owned stocks, mutual funds, and other securities for more than one year, and if those securities have also increased in value.
Donors may still claim a deduction for the full market value of these securities, not just the amount paid, and are not required to pay capital gains tax that would be owed if they sold the securities and donated the proceeds.
Giving securities that have increased in value but yield little income is another way to make meaningful gifts and enjoy additional tax savings while experiencing little or no reduction in spendable income. However, when considering the donation of a security for which the value is less than its cost, it is typically best to sell the security and make a charitable gift of the cash proceeds.
Under the new law, fewer estates are subject to estate tax. The amount that can be left to heirs free of federal estate and gift taxes has increased to approximately $11.2 million for individuals and $22.4 million for married couples. Even for estates still subject to tax, all charitable gifts from the estate remain fully deductible.
As a result of reduced estate taxes, it is no longer necessary for most donors to set aside funds for payment of taxes on gifts to individuals. It may now be more practical to use all or a portion of your tax savings to fund charitable gifts as part of your estate plans. Your heirs will still receive the same amount or more than they would have after paying taxes under the prior law.
The special tax incentives from making a gift from a retirement account remain substantially unchanged. In cases of a traditional or Roth IRA, individuals age 70 1/2 and older may directly transfer tax-free gifts up to $100,000 per year to a qualified charitable recipient, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution. The amount given will count toward the donor’s annual required minimum distribution but will not count as income.
This option can be especially attractive to those who do not itemize tax deductions or want to keep reportable income down to avoid social security and other income taxed at a higher rate.
The comprehensive legislation brings good news to those who enjoy making charitable gifts
tH e u niversity of m aryland m edical s y stem f oundation appreciates the many gifts it has received over the years from grateful patients and friends through their estate plans. A planned gift can have a dual impact. It can provide for you and your family and, at the same time, secure a strong future for our institution. Your financial and philanthropic goals can determine the type of planned gift that is best for you.
There are many planned giving opportunities available to leave a lasting legacy to the University of Maryland Medical Center, including:
bequests
• An outright gift providing the satisfaction of extending impact and interests beyond a donor’s lifetime
• May reduce or eliminate estate taxes
• Charitable income tax deduction for full fair market value of the securities
• Avoid capital gains taxes that would have been due if a donor sold appreciated securities
Life Insurance
• May enable a donor to make a larger gift than through a bequest or cash donation
• Gift credit and an immediate income tax deduction for the cash surrender value of the policy
• Income tax charitable deduction based on the full fair market value of the property
• Avoidance of capital gains taxes on the appreciated portion of the value
• Donate property, but retain the use of the property (such as a residence or farm) during benefactor’s lifetime
retirement Plan Assets
• Distributed directly to a beneficiary who is named to receive the plan assets
• Extra tax savings from donation of retirement plan assets, which are subject to income taxes and may also be subject to federal estate taxes for individuals who inherit them
Charitable Lead Trust
• Possible estate and gift tax savings
• Income tax deductions may be possible for value of payments made to charity
• Assets eventually returned to a donor ’s loved ones
To learn more about planned giving opportunities offered by the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation, please contact us at 410.328.5770 or visit www.ummsfoundation.org.
Charitable gift Annuities Trust
• Immediate charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the gift
• Fixed income for a donor and/or second person for life
• Income payments can begin immediately or can be delayed until a future date chosen by the donor
• When the gift annuity ends, assets used for a purpose the donor designates
Charitable remainder UniTrust
• Immediate charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the gift
• Fixed or variable income for a donor and/or another person
• Specified term (generally a donor’s lifetime)
• Income based on a payout rate chosen by the donor
• When the trust ends, assets used for a purpose the donor designates
110 South Paca St., 9th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
www.ummsfoundation.org
Baltimore, MD Permit 7175
Responsible for nearly 1,600 deaths each day, cancer is second only to heart disease as a cause of death across the United States. It is estimated that more than 33,000 people in Maryland will be diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
Under the direction of Kevin Cullen, MD, the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center has emerged as a renowned leader in cancer care, innovation, and discovery. In every one of his many pursuits, Dr. Cullen remains focused on his overarching goal: longer, healthier lives for all those suffering from cancer.
“That’s really what a cancer center is about — translating basic science results into better ways to treat patients,” says Dr. Cullen, who also serves as the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Professor of Oncology. “And it’s something we work hard to accomplish every day.”
Specializing in head and neck cancer, Dr. Cullen came to the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2004. Under his leadership, UMGCCC received the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 2008. Eight years later, UMGCCC earned the NCI’s highest designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, recognizing its high caliber of scientific leadership and robust programs in basic, clinical, and population science research. It is a distinction that places UMGCCC in
the top tier of cancer centers across the country.
During his tenure, Dr. Cullen has significantly expanded UMGCCC’s clinical and research programs — including the recent opening of the Fannie Angelos Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility that enables scientists to create the next generation of cell therapies for advanced and resistant forms of leukemia and lymphoma.
In his own laboratory, Dr. Cullen examines the mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in head and neck cancer. His group demonstrated that specific biochemical markers are important predictors of response to a chemotherapy drug (Cisplatin) in head and neck tumors — and that those same markers also predict disease prognosis. His team was also the first to describe racial survival disparities in head and neck cancer.
Dr. Cullen has been acknowledged at the highest levels of national cancer leadership. In 2011, he was appointed
by President Obama to a five-year term as a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board, an advisory committee to the National Cancer Institute. Since 2000, Dr. Cullen has volunteered with the American Cancer Society and has held leadership positions at every level, including service on the former South Atlantic Division Board. He currently is chair of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors.
The construction of a new building has long been Dr. Cullen’s vision to further advance UMGCCC. Now a reality thanks to a lead gift from Roslyn and Leonard Stoler, the remarkable new addition will further progress cancer research and ensure that all people with cancer are treated with the most patient-centered approach.
“Roz and Len Stoler are two of the most gracious, generous people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting,” says Dr. Cullen. “It’s very exciting to work together with them on this new phase of success for the cancer center.”
IMPACT is published by the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation mohan suntha, md, mBa
President and Chief Executive Officer, UMMC The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine louise michaux gonzales, esq.
Chair, UMMC Board of Directors Janice J. eisele
Senior Vice President, UMMS Foundation
Copy: Jennifer lehman Keir, stephanie Bruzzese Design: sdym, inc. Photography: larry canner, chessie photo, Kimberly dean photos, stephen spartana