Philanthropy

A Family Affair

INNOVATOR: “The people who are closest to patients are in the best position to spot opportunities for innovation,” says Pamela York Klainer ’80W (EdD), the namesake for a new professorship in the School of Nursing.

Philanthropy is a family affair for Pamela York Klainer ’80W (EdD) and her adult children, Matt and Sara.

York Klainer and her late husband, Jeremy (Jerry) Klainer, both successful entrepreneurs, were philanthropic throughout their married lives and engaged their children in the importance of giving back from an early age.

The Klainer family members share a passion for entrepreneurship and deep commitment to maximizing the professional potential of nurses. They have supported the School of Nursing in a number of ways, including establishing an endowed fund for the Center for Nursing Entrepreneurship and the Dr. Jeremy A. Klainer Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund.

Pamela has also taught classes on entrepreneurship and has served as a longtime advisor to the school.

Matt and Sara Klainer both serve on the advisory committee to their father’s memorial scholarship fund, reviewing health care business plans and recommending funding. Matt has also raised more than $13,000 for the fund on his own.

A new endowed professorship has been named in honor of York Klainer through the generosity of numerous donors. Patricia Chiverton, dean of the School of Nursing, was appointed this May to the Pamela York Klainer Endowed Chair in Nursing Entrepreneurship.

“My belief is the people who are closest to patients are in the best position to spot opportunities for innovation,” says York Klainer. “Because of the holistic model of health care, nurses are uniquely positioned to develop new ways to provide care. But they need to be thought of as idea and revenue generators rather than overhead expenses.

“It is my hope that through the enhancement of entrepreneurship education, we’ll continue to see nurses empowered and the paradigm change.”

—Ryan McGinn