On April 10, 2025, the Providence Holy Cross community came together for a moment more than 60 years in the making.

Hosted by Galpin Motors and the Boeckmann family, the event celebrated a transformational $16 million estate gift from Julian and Gladys Saunders, the largest in the hospital’s history. The evening marked more than a milestone. It was a tribute to lives well lived and a future forever changed by their generosity.

Surrounded by physicians, caregivers, community leaders and loyal supporters, Providence Holy Cross leadership shared a powerful announcement: the Saunderses’ gift will help fund the expansion of the hospital’s Level II trauma center, establish its first-ever endowed chairs and invest in programs that elevate caregiver excellence.

“This is a transformative moment,” said Joanne Reyes, chief philanthropy officer and president of Providence Holy Cross Foundation. “Julian and Gladys placed their trust in our mission years ago. Now, their vision is shaping the future of care for generations to come.”

The Saunderses’ gift will support these cornerstone areas of care:

1. Elevating trauma and emergency care
   A portion of the Saunderses’ gift will fund the modernization of the hospital’s Level II trauma center. This critical regional resource serves the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Simi Valleys. The investment will include two new state-of-the-art hybrid operating rooms and a full renovation of the trauma room within the emergency department.
   
   “Our trauma team treats some of the most critically injured patients in the region,” says David Hanpeter, M.D., medical director of trauma services. “This gift allows us to deliver even greater speed, precision and compassion when every second counts.”

   
   

2. Supporting clinical excellence through endowed chairs
   The Saunderses’ estate gift also makes possible the hospital’s first endowed chairs. These prestigious designations provide ongoing resources to support physician leadership in advancing their fields. Endowed chairs not only recognize outstanding  clinical expertise but also help the hospital attract  and retain top medical talent.

   
   Hanpeter will serve as the Julian and Gladys Saunders Endowed Chair in Trauma Care. Marwa Kilani, M.D., medical director of palliative care and chair of the Foundation board, will serve as the Julian and Gladys Saunders Endowed Chair in Palliative Care.

   “This extraordinary gift allows us to grow programs that bring dignity, comfort and peace to patients and their families,” says Dr. Kilani. “It is a profound reminder of how philanthropy can help us care for the whole person.”
   
   

3. Transforming Surgical Care
   The bulk of the Saunders gift is being directed toward the construction of two state-of-the-art operating rooms (ORs), equipped with advanced technologies that enable greater precision, efficiency and multidisciplinary collaboration.

“Julian and Gladys understood that great care requires exceptional facilities,” says Bernie Klein, M.D., chief executive of Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. “Their gift allows us to expand our surgical capabilities in ways that will benefit patients for years to come.”

A vision realized and a future inspired

The Saunders family’s gift exemplifies how planned giving can catalyze meaningful, long-term change.  It is helping Providence Holy Cross meet the growing needs of our community while continuing to lead with excellence.

“This gift is both a celebration and an invitation,” says Joanne. “It reminds us of the incredible impact of legacy giving and encourages each of us to consider how we can help shape the future of care in our own way.”

Honoring lives of gratitude and giving

As a successful business leader, Julian Saunders approached the couple’s giving with the same discipline he applied to his work. He asked, “What are the fundamentals?” For Julian, the answer came down to four things: leadership, stewardship of resources, culture and results. Providence Holy Cross exceeded his expectations in every category.

Rather than support a single piece of equipment or program, the Saunders’ vision was to empower the hospital to shape the future of care in our region. They believed deeply in the mission of compassionate service, and they wanted their gift to reflect the same care, foresight and long-term thinking that shaped their lives.

“Julian and Gladys Saunders were committed to making a lasting impact through their philanthropy,” says Providence Holy Cross Chief Executive Bernie Klein, M.D. “We are deeply grateful for their forethought in including the hospital in their estate plan. The impact of their giving touches every corner of the hospital and will stand as a testament to their belief in our mission.”