Maltby’s $1.125 Million Gift Promotes Breast Health and Cancer Care at UH St. John Medical Center

Like so many families, Don and Nancy Maltby have been greatly impacted by cancer. Both lost their mothers to the disease and Nancy is a breast cancer survivor.

On Monday, August 16, a small group of family gathered together to celebrate the dedication of the Maltby Breast Health Center at UH St. John Medical Center. What would normally be a large group of people was scaled down due to the ongoing pandemic. But there was no shortage of joy.

“We were very impressed with UH Seidman Cancer Center,” said Nancy, a longtime interior designer, who received her treatment there six years ago. “The space is patient friendly and the staff was always caring, supportive and attentive during an otherwise anxious time.”

“After meeting with her doctors, I knew Nancy was in the best place possible to fight this disease,” added Don, retired President and COO of a leading transportation management company.

Don and Nancy Maltby at the ribbon cutting of the Maltby Breast Health Center.

Inspired by the outstanding care Nancy received, the Maltbys decided to get more involved with UH. In 2019, they made the lead gift to endow a new master clinician in breast health, supporting excellence in clinical care and research. The couple also made a commitment to UH St. John Medical Center in Westlake, establishing the Maltby Breast Health Center. The new breast health center will provide high quality and compassionate breast cancer care while also focusing on breast health and cancer prevention, research and clinical trials.

The Maltby Breast Health Center holds added meaning because UH St. John sits on property that was once Deeks Apple Orchard, owned by Nancy’s grandparents and family.

On hand to celebrate their transformative gift was Patti DePompei, President of UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital and UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s. “How incredible is it that a portion of St. John Medical Center now stands on the very land owned by Nancy Maltby’s family?” remarked Patti. “Thanks to the Maltbys, the Deeks Family Orchard will once again bear fruit at St. John.”

“We are very impressed with UH’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art health care to the community,” agreed the Maltbys. “It is meaningful to us to be part of that and we are humbled knowing our gift will make a difference in others’ lives.”

Members of both UH’s Diamond Legacy and Samual Mather societies, Don and Nancy now split their time between Avon Lake and North Palm Beach, Florida.

“We have been fortunate and if we can positively impact the lives of others, we want to do it,” said Don.