In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brigham held weekly calls to update the Board of Trustees and other leaders on the efforts to care for patients and understand this new disease. “A moment that stood out to me,” says board chair John Fish, “was when two Brigham nurses shared their experiences treating patients with COVID-19. Their stories were heart-wrenching and emotional, and truly opened our eyes to the reality of caring for patients and families during this crisis.”

In the final months of the hospital’s Life.Giving.Breakthroughs. campaign, which John chaired, he teamed up with other campaign leaders inspired by these stories to develop a new idea—the Honoring Our Caregivers Initiative. John, and his wife, Cynthia, made a generous gift of $2.5 million and inspired gifts from other supporters for the initiative, which offers recognition, wellness programs, and assistance for caregivers’ needs now and into the future.

“We cannot thank the Brigham’s care teams enough for their incredible response during this challenging time,” says Cynthia. “They inspire us every day, and we want to give them the support to weather this storm, personally and professionally.”

Betsy Nabel, MD, former Brigham president, says the gratitude extends both ways. For the past seven years, John and Cyndy have given their time, skills, and resources to better the Brigham community.

Nabel says, “Thank you to John and Cyndy for their tireless support throughout the COVID-19 crisis, as well as for their exceptional guidance and generosity during the campaign. John and Cyndy led us, believed in us, and pushed us to new heights we only imagined before.”

Over the years, the Fishes have generously given more than $19.3 million to support hospital priorities including distinguished chairs in surgery and medical education and emerging needs identified by Nabel.

“Our support for the Brigham has always been personal,” John says. “The hospital has been there for us and our family and friends at our greatest times of need, and we will never forget that. Our gifts are the least we can do to show our unwavering support for this incredible institution.”

About John and Cynthia Fish

John Fish is chairman and CEO of Suffolk Construction, one of the most successful privately owned construction management companies in the United States. Cynthia Fish is a philanthropist and volunteer with a lifelong commitment to the care of others.

High-school sweethearts, John and Cynthia have both served in volunteer leadership roles at the Brigham and many notable institutions. At the Brigham, John is chair of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases Advisory Board, and Cynthia is a member of the President’s Advisory Board. John and Cynthia have three daughters.

Follow John Fish on LinkedIn.