On February 28th, Brookdale Hospital paid homage to an exemplary man during a plaque dedication ceremony in the hospital’s Pediatric Playroom. Honored was the late Harold F. Baldauf, father of Dr. Mary Baldauf, Director of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in whose memory the Harold F. Baldauf Memorial Children’s Fund was established to continue his legacy of love, compassion and generosity.
Almost on a daily basis, Dr Baldauf witnesses the devastation that illness, trauma and loss bring to the patients and families in the PICU. In an effort to lend a helping hand to them during their time of need and to ensure that her father’s spirit lived on, she and her family established the Fund after her dad passed away on October 24, 2006. Over $18,000 has been raised to date and funds have been used to provide assistance to a multitude of families in a variety of ways.
Dr. Baldauf was joined by many other members of her family as well as members of hospital Administration, including President and CEO, David Rosen who thanked the Baldauf family on behalf of Brookdale’s pediatric patients and their families for all their hard work. Plaque unveiling honors were given to Margaret, the matriarch of the Baldauf family and eldest son Harold at this very touching ceremony.
Harold was the epitome of "an honest day's work for an honest day's pay." He did not believe in excesses in life but in only what he and his family needed to get by comfortably. Mr. Baldauf also believed that it was better to share with those who were less fortunate and so he instilled these values in his children, who, are in turn, doing the same with his 20 grandchildren.
