Seth and Leslie Medalie
Cancer Care Close to Home
Generous gift to Lank Cancer Center enhances access to state-of-the-art treatment
Seth and Leslie Medalie are deeply committed to ensuring that high-quality care is available close to home. Having lived in Needham for more than 30 years, they and their loved ones have long relied on Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham for everything from bumps and bruises to more complex care. For the Medalies, giving to BID Needham is not only an expression of gratitude for the care they have received over the years but also a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of their family, friends, and neighbors. “Everyone deserves access to excellent health care,” says Seth. “We take great pride in being able to support such a vital resource for our community.”
To help ensure that exceptional care is available when and where it is needed most, the couple recently made a $100,000 gift to the Lank Cancer Center as part of the BID Needham’s Transforming Health Care Here Campaign. Transforming care delivery through expanded access and innovation is a core campaign priority. The Medalies’ contribution will play an important role in advancing this goal when it comes to the treatment of cancer—a disease that has a profound impact on individuals and families across the community.
“Cancer touches so many of us, and the ability to have treatment close to home is of paramount importance,” says Leslie. When facing a cancer diagnosis, where care is delivered matters. Thanks to the generosity of donors like the Medalies, residents of Needham and surrounding towns do not have to travel into Boston for world-class care. The Lank Cancer Center provides comfort and convenience—and the same high caliber of treatment. Kelly Bodio-Downey, MD, medical director of the Lank Cancer Center, notes that philanthropy is vital to increasing access to cancer care locally. “Traditional revenue sources like insurance don’t often cover the capital expenses needed to grow and modernize care delivery,” she says. “Support from generous individuals like the Medalies allows us to make essential investments to expand our capacity—ultimately enabling us to serve more people and enhance the experience for both patients and staff.”
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The Medalies’ most recent gift builds on more than two decades of generosity and leadership at BID Needham. Seth served as a trustee during many transformational moments throughout the hospital’s history. During his tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees, he oversaw a time of immense growth—namely the construction of the new Emergency Department. He was elected Advisor Emeritus in 2015 in acknowledgment of his significant contributions. Leslie served on the Board of Advisors and is now a trustee, chairing the Governance and Nominating Committee. The couple has served as Gala Chairs twice, and they are both dedicated champions of BID Needham’s mission, inspiring friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join them in supporting the hospital’s lifesaving work.
Through investments in the Lank Cancer Center, the Medalies and other donors are transforming cancer care at BID Needham—bringing hope, healing, and the very best care closer to home, when it matters most. Thanks to generous support from the community, the Center serves more than 8,000 patients annually.
“BID Needham continues to evolve and grow as the needs of our community change,” says Leslie. “The advances in health care are truly inspiring, and we are excited to see the new services and treatments that will become available in the future.”