Dr. and Mrs. Jack MaCris
Jack MaCris, M.D. is one of the founders of the medical practice now known as Lee and Williams, a surgical practice specializing in vascular surgery. Dr. MaCris says, “Having spent most of my 34 years of professional life practicing surgery at St. Anthony’s Hospital, I developed an affection and dedication to its commitment to serving the health care needs of the community in the best way possible. In my practice, I looked upon St. Anthony’s as a partner in caring for my patients. The Sisters, the dedicated professional and lay staffs and the facilities were vital in providing quality care.

Over the years, it became apparent that the primary limiting factor against St. Anthony’s Hospital doing more was financial. Therefore, it is a pleasure and a privilege for Janet, my wife, and I to contribute to helping St. Anthony’s continues its presence in our community.

Dr. MaCris and Janet are members of the Cornerstone Society as well as the St. Francis Legacy Society for a planned gift they have made to the hospital.

James and Charlotte Krizek
James and Charlotte Krizek included St. Anthony's Hospital in their estate plans because of their positive experience with the medical attention they received as patients. They were impressed with the analytical and medical expertise of the physicians associated with St. Anthony's and the sound management of the hospital overall. What really impressed them both was the Hospital's commitment to minimally invasive technology and services. [editor's note: Minimally Invasive Skull Based Institute founded by Drs. Donald Lanza and Kirk Jobe was featured in the last issue of The Legacy]. "Jim and I are in a position to help the hospital and feel that our estate gift is a good investment in the health of our community," says Charlotte.

Vince Naimoli
I support St. Anthony's Hospital because I am impressed with their dedication in serving the community, especially the less fortunate among us. St. Anthony's mission and history of serving those without the ability to pay is impressive and a testament to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany who founded the hospital."




Marie Bello and Phyllis Phillips
Many friends of St. Anthony's Hospital have a long association. For Marie Bello, the friendship began when she was hired in the accounting department in November 1944. Marie is one of three sisters including Phyllis Phillips and the late Frances Bello. Marie tells us: "When we came to Florida we were not confident about finding jobs. Phyllis and I were trained in bookkeeping and Frances was a Licensed Practical Nurse. We were fully prepared to accept jobs as waitresses. But we couldn't find jobs as waitresses. Fortunately we met Mother Mary Victor who was the administrator of St. Anthony's Hospital and I was hired into the accounting department and Frances was hired on the spot as a night shift nurse. Originally we were thinking of staying in Florida only a short while, but have been here ever since."

Marie recalls that her starting salary was $85 a month. "As employees of the hospital, Frances and I were given accommodations on the first floor of the original convent and three meals a day in the cafeteria as benefits," Marie relates. Marie retired 30 years later in 1974 and although she lives modestly, she still manages to contribute back to the hospital in the form of charitable gift annuities.

Marie relates how she would go to the bank to withdraw cash from the hospital account to pay the employees. The cash was counted out and placed in pay envelopes. She was accompanied to the bank by a maintenance man to help her carry the cash bags. Marie's sister, Frances, first came to Florida for health reasons. She worked in hospitals in New Jersey and after a brief interview was hired and told to report for the night shift that very evening. Frances also lived in the convent for a number of years."Frances worked in the newborn nursery and later in surgery under the direction of Sister Raymond Mary," Marie tells us.

Phyllis (Rosina) Phillips, the third sister of the family to come to Florida, found a job in the accounting department at Florida Progress when their office was downtown. Like her sisters, Marie and Frances, Phyllis also supports St. Anthony's Hospital with a planned gift. "The one thing that stood out for us," Marie relates, "is how Sister Coleta Mary walked every father and mother out of the hospital with their newborn baby. That was the personal touch."