Carrying on a Legacy of Compassionate and Patient-Centered Care GMercyU Receives Seven-Figure Gift from The Regina Charitable Fund
GMercyU received a $ 2 million grant from the Regina Charitable Fund of the Philadelphia
Foundation to support the Frances Cannata Stimmler ' 66 and Joseph Stimmler Inspiration Station in the planned Frances M . Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center .
GMercyU Nursing alumna Frances Cannata Stimmler ' 66 , along with two former Sisters of the Poor , established the Regina Nursing Center in 1963 with the goal of providing superior care to the elderly and the physically challenged .
Wanting to better oversee the care the residents were receiving , Fran decided to pursue a degree in Nursing and graduated in 1966 from then Gwynedd-Mercy College . She would go on to use that degree to become the Head Nurse and later the Administrator of the facilities .
In 1973 , Fran met Joe Stimmler , who not only brought a financial background to the center , but became her husband . Together , they oversaw the facilities and in 1980 opened a brand-new center in Norristown , closing the Thomas Avenue facility .
This facility would become the standard for nursing care in Montgomery County . The Regina Nursing Center was founded with the belief that no matter the situation , the people under their care would be treated as family . It didn ’ t matter whether they were rich or poor , everyone would be treated with the utmost respect and care .
In April 2020 , Joe passed away suddenly , just as the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc . With the loss of Joe ’ s leadership and not having a proper successor to carry on , Fran and the Center ’ s Board of Trustees made the decision to sell the nursing home and start The Regina Charitable Fund at the Philadelphia Foundation .
Under Fran ’ s leadership , grants were made to various institutions , including colleges and food banks .
The largest grant was awarded to Gwynedd Mercy University , Fran ’ s alma mater . The $ 2 million commitment will establish the Frances Cannata Stimmler ' 66 and Joseph Stimmler Inspiration Station within the Frances M . Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center .
The Regina Charitable Fund also granted GMercyU $ 300,000 in Spring 2022 to establish the Frances Cannata Stimmler ’ 66 and Joseph Stimmler Endowed Scholarship for Nursing .
“ You have to give back ,” Fran commented . “ Gwynedd Mercy [ University ] did so much for me , including providing me with a full scholarship .”
Read the full story here .
Left : Mary Slifer ; Frances Cannata Stimmer ' 66 ; Michele Michaels ; Denise Smith ; and Joyce Schier
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