Florine's Gift
Henry Ford West Bloomfield dedicates 16-bed unit for women and children.
Sally Ann Brown
Special to the Jewish News
T
he Detroit-based Henry Ford
Health System and community
leaders gathered on Oct. 21 to
dedicate the 16-bed Florine Mark Inpatient
Unit for Women's and Children's Health at
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
The evening was marked by the unveil-
ing of a unique art element in the hospital
designed to honor Mark as well as heart-
felt remarks from her friends, family and
Henry Ford leaders.
"I am an ordinary person with extraor-
dinary dreams," Mark told the crowd.
"There is a fire in my belly and in my
heart to improve people's lives and it
burns brighter now more than ever:' the
Farmington Hills resident added.
A grateful patient of Henry Ford, Mark
felt compelled to be part of the West
Bloomfield hospital, with its mission of
clinical and service excellence and a focus
on wellness. She felt strongly about where
she wanted to designate a gift, wanting
to support a place that would care for all
members of her large family and the com-
munity.
Florine Mark and the Mark/Lis Family
Foundation funded the unit, which is
dedicated in their honor and designed
to serve the unique needs of women and
children in a comforting and specialized
environment, conducive to healing and the
restoration of health.
"I am honored to be part of this hos-
pital that will make a difference in the
lives of the people in this community and
around the country:' said Mark.
A surprise awaited Mark as the event
featured the unveiling of a unique piece of
art that portrayed her distinctive signa-
ture,"Love, Love, Love." The piece, crafted
by tracing her handwriting and hung
prominently in the Florine Mark Inpatient
Unit for Women's and Children's Health,
drew a reaction of joy and humility from
Mark when it was presented. Overcome
with emotion, she said she felt humbled
and grateful to be honored in such a way.
A pivotal leader in the community,
especially at Henry Ford, Mark is vice
chair of the Henry Ford West Bloomfield
Hospital Board of Trustees and a mem-
ber of the Henry Ford Health System
Foundation Board of Trustees.
Donald Benyas, Florine Mark and Hannan Lis (Mark's son-in-law), all of Farmington Hills, with Jennifer
Harmon and Nancy Schlichting (president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System), both of Bloomfield
Hills
Steven Radom of Bloomfield Hills and Eli Scherr of Farmington
Hills
14
November 5 - 2009
Henry Ford leaders attending the dedi-
cation included Nancy M. Schlichting,
president and CEO, Henry Ford Health
System; Bob Riney, chief operating officer,
Henry Ford Health System; and Gerard
van Grinsven, president and CEO, Henry
Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
When she addressed the crowd,
Schlichting conveyed her appreciation
of the trust Florine Mark has shown in
Henry Ford by investing her time, talent
and funds over the years.
"Florine provided us with great inspira-
tion for the vision of this hospital:' added
van Grinsven. "This is a special moment
for all of us." I I
Sally Ann Brown is senior public relations spe-
cialist at Henry Ford Health System.
Dr. Irvin Kappy of Orchard Lake, service chief for pediatrics
at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, with Hannan Lis of
Farmington Hills
Sue Katz of West Bloomfield, Gerard van Grinsven of Franklin, Lois Cohn of Birmingham, Florine Mark's
daughter Lisa Lis of Farmington Hills and granddaughter Ariella Lis of Cambridge, Mass.