Donor creates endowed fund to support nephrology care at Putnam Hospital

Two years. That’s the amount of extra time Gaetano P. Castellano said he had with his wife, Patti, after being told she had little time left.

Faced with a kidney disorder that required specialized care, the couple was referred to Michael Capicotto, MD, a nephrologist at Putnam Hospital, whose compassionate expertise granted them additional time together. 

“Dr. Capicotto gave my wife two more years when all other doctors said, ‘We can't do anything more for you,’” Castellano said. “He was at her bedside for precious hours during her final illness. Words cannot explain the appreciation of his love, partnership and the best bedside manner with which he honored Patti.”

Before Patti passed in 2019, she shared with her husband her wishes to create a legacy gift to Putnam Hospital and the exceptional care she received. 

As promised, Castellano has committed $100,000 in current support for nephrology. This will be spent at the discretion of Dr. Capicotto and the leadership team for this purpose. In addition, he has joined the Legacy Society by designating the hospital as a beneficiary for a minimum $100,000 from his 401K plan. This estate provision will one day establish the Patricia D. Castellano and Gaetano P. Castellano Endowed Fund for Nephrology Care at Putnam Hospital. This enduring gift will generate annual income to support nephrology care.

Learn more about nephrology at Putnam Hospital.

On Friday, June 6, Castellano was joined by family members and Patti’s friends at Putnam Hospital for a celebration of this gift that honors Dr. Capicotto and the Nephrology Department.

“This is for my patients,” Dr. Capicotto said at the ribbon cutting. “My dad was on dialysis, his mother was on dialysis, his brother was on dialysis. This is something that is really close to me. I see the suffering and the anxiety that these patients go through, and I just hope that we can make this even just a little bit better for them.” 

Putnam Hospital’s leadership extends their deepest gratitude to Castellano for his generosity and dedication, ensuring patients in need receive compassionate, life-changing care, research and development for generations to come.

“Bringing the expertise that Dr. Capicotto offers and the program building that he’s made, it really has taken us to that next level,” hospital President Dr. Mark Hirko said. “With this gift you made in honor of your wife and yourself, we just really want to thank you for thinking of us and for giving us a chance to be here in the future. You have given us a heartwarming story that makes us feel like we are really making a difference.”

Learn more about giving at Nuvance Health.