Born nurturers, Stevanka and Max Goodson, DDS, PhD, have always enjoyed helping things grow. Max, a renowned scientist who grew up on a ranch in Texas, and Stevanka, a former gymnast from the countryside of Serbia, now reside in Cambridge, where they have a thriving garden with a variety of flowers and vegetables. For many years, the couple has also been passionate about helping Mount Auburn Hospital (MAH) grow and thrive through advocacy and generosity. Their most recent generous gift of $100,000 to the Here for You Campaign will help the hospital redefine emergency care.
The Here for You Campaign is a five-year fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $30 million, part of which will be used to redesign the John and Mary Chicos Emergency Department (ED). The aim is to provide fast, comfortable, and targeted care to every patient who comes through the door. One of the most significant changes is the reconfiguration of the physical layout to accommodate important specialized services—including radiology, surgery, and cardiac catheterization—to provide patients and ED staff with faster access to resources. “Even as the hospital grows, you still get the same neighborly care no matter what department you’re being seen in, and that extends to the busy Emergency Department,” says Stevanka, who serves as a MAH Board of Advisors member. “We are fortunate to have this superb level of care right here in our community.”
These developments will allow ED staff to rapidly intake patients and quickly transfer them to the appropriate care team for treatment. Patients experiencing critical health issues, such as heart attacks, strokes, and serious injuries will receive lifesaving interventions immediately upon arrival in a new, larger area that is optimally equipped for acute care. Patients with mid- and lower-acuity conditions will be fast-tracked to the appropriate care team for comprehensive treatment. The new ED model allows MAH to provide patient-centered, compassionate care more efficiently.
For Max and Stevanka, this is the latest of many important evolutions the hospital has made over the years. “It’s remarkable to see how the hospital has grown,” says Max, an accomplished inventor and scientist who has published hundreds of research papers on dental antibiotic therapy and drug delivery for the treatment of periodontal disease. “It was a small place when we moved here 33 years ago, and now it’s a big, gorgeous hospital offering the same care you’d get in Boston hospitals—right in Cambridge, only blocks away from our home.”
In recognition of their generosity, the entryway that leads from the waiting area into the ED will be named for the Goodsons. The hope is that many will be inspired to contribute to the Here for You Campaign to help the hospital provide faster, more comfortable, and targeted care for people when they need it most—from the minute they step foot inside. “We truly need to uphold Mount Auburn’s unique culture of caring,” says Stevanka. “This is why we encourage everyone to consider supporting this important fund.”
Make a gift to Mount Auburn Hospital today. In the Gift Designation section, select “Emergency Department Campaign” from the drop-down menu.
