Jim Westra, former managing partner and general counsel at the private equity firm Advent International, knows a thing or two about successful investments. Now retired, Jim and his wife, Betsy, are investing their time and money in what they believe matters most: BMC’s commitment to a healthier Boston.
Jim became a dedicated BMC supporter over a decade ago when a colleague introduced him to the hospital’s innovative community health programs supported by philanthropy. He became a BMC Philanthropic Trust member in 2019, helping to garner philanthropic support for BMC programs. He highlights the hospital’s efforts to address social determinants of health, like food insecurity, alongside best-in-class medical care, as BMC pride points.
“To be a vibrant, healthy community, it’s essential for the people of Boston to be served by an excellent healthcare facility,” Jim says.
Jim and Betsy’s commitment to BMC also honors their personal experiences and values. Betsy, a cancer survivor, strongly supports events like BMC’s Catwalk for Cancer, which fuel the hospital’s efforts to provide wraparound services to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
The couple’s support of BMC’s holistic approach to care goes beyond annual donations. They have recently made provisions in their estate plans to support BMC. Jim comments that, as a recent retiree, making a planned gift allows him to leverage assets in the future.
“This is a way to show our commitment to the organization, and allow BMC to count on that money for the future,” Jim says. “Planned giving is an important component of philanthropy, and I’m delighted to include BMC in my plans.”
Interested in learning more about supporting BMC’s future through estate planning? Learn more.
