Mannheim Family Establishes $560,000 Endowment at Cooley Dickinson Hospital

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital announced the establishment of the Paul and Susan Mannheim Endowment for Facilities Improvement with a gift of $560,000 from Susan Mannheim and her late husband, Paul Mannheim, a family with deep roots in the Pioneer Valley, known for their long commitment to community service.

Paul’s involvement with Cooley Dickinson began in 1988 as a member of the Golf FORE Health Committee, and he eventually became a volunteer and trustee. In honor of his contributions, he was honored in 1999 with the William E. Dwyer Distinguished Service Award. Over nearly four decades, the couple have supported many capital projects at the hospital, both individually and through their business, including what is now the Main Entrance, the Imaging and Childbirth Center, as well as the North Building and Kittredge Surgery Center.

It was Paul’s dedication and involvement in the facilities committee that inspired the family’s philanthropic gift that established the endowment. Sue vividly remembers Paul coming home one day and urgently needing to speak with her. “He asked if he could take out a life insurance policy and name the hospital as the beneficiary,” she recalled. “We didn’t even think about it for many years and could have never imagined it would be the gift it is today.”

After his death earlier this year, the life insurance benefit payout was used to establish the Paul and Susan Mannheim Endowment for Facilities Improvement. The endowment continues Sue and Paul’s enduring commitment to their community hospital, ensuring it can continue to invest in its facilities.

“Oftentimes, members of our community, like Paul and Sue, reach out because they want to make a gift, but they are not sure what the possibilities are,” Chief Development Officer Diane Dukette said. “There are creative ways to structure gifts at a modest present cost that can have a significant future impact, such as this wonderful gift.”

The endowment will support capital projects, helping to ensure access to modern, state-of-the-art facilities for years to come. The Mannheims’ commitment to community healthcare will carry forward thanks to Paul’s thoughtful planning.

“Paul and I never imagined this would turn into such a significant gift,” Sue said. “It started small, and with time and planning, it grew. That’s something anyone can do.”