How one NICU experience inspired three decades of support

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” says Richard, who has been a member of Sinai Health Foundation’s Board of Directors since June 2010. “When Karen gave birth to Jordan, there was no noise, there was no cry. They brought him to intensive care, and we just waited.” 

Richard’s son Jordan was born nine weeks premature – weighing just 2,000 grams. In the following days, he would drop to less than 1,300 grams. Richard recalls the uncertainty of their first few weeks. Jordan had too much water in his lungs, a spot on his brain scan, and at one point, doctors thought he had had a heart attack. 

“It was just day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute,” says Richard. “It was one of the most intense places I’ve ever been to in my life. The staff at the NICU were phenomenal. They saved his life.”

With the help of his specialized care team, in what has become the Newton Glassman Charitable Foundation Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and over the course of almost two months, Jordan began to stabilize. He doubled his weight and was able to return home.

Richard is proud that Jordan, who was once a fragile infant in the care of the NICU team, has grown into a compassionate and accomplished young man. Today, Jordan is an active 31-year-old. He is an avid tennis player and golfer and owns hydration drink company SaltWater Co. 
“I will be forever grateful for the compassionate and excellent care my family received at Mount Sinai Hospital,” says Richard.

Giving back to the place that saved his son's life

To express his gratitude to the care team that saved his son’s life, Richard made his first gift to support Sinai Health’s NICU in 1994. It began his lifelong commitment to giving back to Mount Sinai Hospital.

Over the last 31 years, Richard and his family have given more than $10 million to fund initiatives throughout Mount Sinai Hospital, including to the NICU. Most notably, his support has completed funding of the Dr. Shoo Lee Sinai 100 Chair in Neonatology and will advance research and clinical innovation across the NICU. 

“Our family gives in support of the NICU because it is exceptionally dear to our hearts,” says Richard. “For me, giving back is about being thankful for the experience. My commitment to the Hospital is always around how they saved Jordan’s life and that will never leave me.”

For Richard, his philanthropy reflects his love for his son and his gratitude to Mount Sinai Hospital for changing his family’s life. It’s his way of giving other parents the same opportunity he once received – the chance to watch their child grow up.

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Saying farewell as Chair of the Board

This summer, Richard completed his term as Chair of the Board of Directors at Sinai Health Foundation. Over the course of his four years as Chair, he mobilized the community with an ambitious five-year strategic plan and honoured the Centennial of Mount Sinai Hospital alongside other community leaders. Richard’s thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to Sinai Health has left a profound impact – one that is felt by countless patients, families and donors. 
No one knows this better than Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, who co-chaired the Board alongside Richard.

“Richard has been a dedicated volunteer, sitting on the hospital board and many committees. He has raised a substantial amount of money for the hospital and has inspired others to give, many who were new donors to Mount Sinai,” says Maxine. “Despite having a very demanding business life, Richard always makes time for Sinai Health. He has been a very generous donor and an exemplary leader.”

While he may be stepping down from his role, Richard won’t be far. Richard will continue on as Treasurer to the Board, and Sinai Health Foundation is grateful for his dedication, commitment and leadership. He passes the torch to new co-chairs Debbie Kimel and Rob Kumer, who will continue to shape the Foundation's future. 

Meet our incoming co-chairs Debbie and Rob.

The Newton Glassman Charitable Foundation Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is part of The Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health, Canada’s largest academic centre for women’s and infants’ health and one of the top five in the world.