That love and loyalty demonstrated by CHI Memorial caregivers drew Stephanie to give back to the hospital.

Through her husband Gerald’s 17-year struggle with leukemia, Stephanie Sinkfield has experienced CHI Memorial’s care stretching from the emergency department to critical care to the oncology unit. “What I really loved about CHI Memorial was the consistency,’’ Stephanie says. “We always had exceptional service.’’ Married for 15 years, Gerald died in 2020 at age 52. The two shared a son, Xavier, now seven years old. Gerald’s years of care involved many CHI Memorial physicians, but he was especially close to oncologist Darrell Johnson, M.D.   “Gerald and Dr. Johnson became friends,’’ says Stephanie. “He was with Gerald when he took his last breath. He was standing right beside me.”

“I will never forget what Dr. Johnson said to me. When Gerald was first diagnosed with cancer, he was given about a 10 percent chance of survival. Dr. Johnson told him he was a poster child, since he was not supposed to survive anything. He survived for 15 years,’’ explains Stephanie.

“When Gerald took his last breath, Dr. Johnson grabbed me and said, ‘He wasn’t supposed to make it, Stephanie, past the first year, and look what God has done. I was here when Gerald was diagnosed, and I am here when he’s going to heaven.’ He loved Gerald and me like a friend.”

That love and loyalty demonstrated by CHI Memorial caregivers drew Stephanie to give back to the hospital. Stephanie is a State Farm owner/agent and has served as a CHI Memorial Foundation board member for five years.

“Gerald and I have always been intentional about who we give to and how we give,’’ she explains. “We want to make sure the mission we give to aligns with our faith. CHI Memorial’s mission aligns perfectly with how we feel as people.”

“We want people to have the best medical care, no matter if they have one penny or a million pennies. CHI Memorial cares about the janitors AND the doctors. We have seen that in action.”