Valerie “Val” Trotman and her family have a long history of supporting Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham at its most critical junctures. Trotman and her family’s latest gift of $20 million—the largest the hospital has ever received—continues that remarkable legacy, setting the stage for significant growth. The family’s tremendous contribution serves as the foundation for the hospital’s most ambitious fundraising effort to date, Transforming Health Care Here: The Campaign for Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham. This $40 million comprehensive campaign aims to address the growing demand for care in the communities the hospital serves.

Trotman’s support has been a catalyst for many positive changes at BID Needham over the years, particularly at pivotal moments in the hospital’s history. Trotman and her family have funded several essential priorities that have expanded the hospital’s capacity to meet the community’s evolving needs and increase access to care, including the construction of the Lank Cancer Center and surgical pavilion. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trotman gave $4.3 million toward behavioral health services and the Intensive Care Unit, improving access to high-quality care when it was needed most. Until this latest contribution, that gift was the largest ever made to the hospital.

Trotman’s continued investment in BID Needham is deeply personal and reflects her confidence in the institution’s leadership. “I feel it’s my institution, but also my family’s institution,” she says. “You feel as though you are a person when you’re here, not just a number. The people are amazing, and I think that comes from the top down.” Trotman’s daughter, Samantha Trotman Burman, also has strong ties to the hospital and is a former trustee and Chair of the Board of Advisors. The family has a unique appreciation for the vital role of community hospitals. Prior to his passing, Trotman’s late husband, Alex, received compassionate treatment at a small hospital in England, where the family is from. Witnessing firsthand the impact of first-rate care in a personalized setting inspired her support of BID Needham and her dedication to making exceptional health care available close to home for all who need it.  

 “Val has awed us time and time again with her generosity,” says John M. Fogarty, President of BID Needham. “With her support, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform health care in our community and touch the lives of patients for decades to come.”

Serving as the cornerstone of BID Needham’s landmark campaign, this historic gift from Trotman and her family is a combination of an outright gift and an estate gift. Their generous contribution will support campus transformation—one of the campaign’s primary areas of focus. Workforce development and access to care through innovation comprise the remaining key pillars. Collectively, investing in these priorities will enable BID Needham to continuously elevate the level of care it provides, making exceptional, leading-edge treatment available in an intimate community setting.

Trotman is proud to be a partner in BID Needham’s ongoing evolution. “What’s kept me connected to the hospital is the idea of future growth. It just excites me so much that I want to be part of it,” Trotman says. “It’s one of the major pleasures of my life that I can donate and make things happen here.”

For more information, email Samantha Sherman or Hillary Harrelson.

Make a gift to the Transforming Health Care Here campaign today.