Sandra and Malcolm Berman Honored for Their Vision and Philanthropy

Since Malcolm Berman entrusted GBMC with his care more than 20 years ago, the entire Berman family has been dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients. At a pair of events celebrating and dedicating the new home of cancer care at GBMC, the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, speakers expressed gratitude to the many people who have helped bring the building to fruition, highlighting the Bermans not only as lead donors to this project, but for their years of advocacy and philanthropy in the region. Selections from their messages of gratitude follow.  

“Today’s celebration would not be possible without the transformational generosity of Sandra and Malcolm Berman. Sandy had the vision to bring everything under one roof, making it easier for patients and families navigating a cancer diagnosis. Sandy, thank you for your relentless advocacy and your generous spirit, which has inspired so many to join in making this pavilion a reality.” - GBMC President and CEO John Chessare, MD, MPH

“Sandra and Malcolm Berman believed in the power of community and the strength we can find in one another. It is in their resolve that we have built this center—a place where we will come together to fight against cancer, to support one another, and to ensure that no one faces it alone. This center is a testament to the countless hours of intellect, the tireless dedication of healthcare professionals, and the unwavering support of our community. It is a place where innovation meets empathy, where patients will receive not only advanced treatments but also the care and understanding they truly deserve.“ - GBMC Philanthropy Chair Heidi Kenny-Berman, Esq.

“Thank you for supporting this beautiful new home for patient-centered cancer care, the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion. Sandy and Malcolm, thank you for all you have done, in your own philanthropy and for the giving you have inspired in others to make this day a reality. I need to emphasize that it has been our honor and privilege to assist in the care of the patients who have been affected by cancer who chose to have their care at GBMC.  You have invested in the vision of a single destination for patients of Maryland’s largest comprehensive community cancer care program. Thank you for your generosity.” - Herman & Walter Samuelson Medical Director of the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute Paul Celano, MD, FACP, FASCO

“This legacy of philanthropy has been passed on to myself and to my family in the ways that we all give back to the things that are really important to us. And that just comes from the top down, shaping our worldviews and the ways in which that we can give back. I’m just so grateful to be a part of the Berman family, to be the eldest grandson of my grandparents. They mean the world to me.” - President of Mandalay Pictures and grandson of Sandra and Malcolm Berman, Jason Michael Berman

“This building has been in my heart and on my mind for many years. It’s something I dreamed of – a place that could make a real difference for families dealing with cancer. But the time had to be right, and that time is now here at GBMC. Many people have asked Malcolm and me why we give. The Hebrew word, Sedaka, is the Jewish obligation to give back. To strengthen the community by giving, we help balance the scales, creating a stronger, more compassionate world for everyone. ... Today, Malcolm and I are grateful to be able to live by this obligation and are fortunate to make an impact on the places that matter to us.” - Sandra Berman

“And I’m just so deeply humbled that we have a family that understood what it meant to take the lead on this and are coming from not just beautiful hearts, but also a beautiful obligation to continue to give and serve. ... And Sandra, the idea that this comes from an understanding and from a history of the impact that this beautiful place made on Malcolm’s life and a place of understanding that we were going to do anything and everything to make sure we’re supporting him the same way that this hospital does for every single person that walks into this hospital, that everybody here is family. And so, Sandra, I’m so thankful to be here with you. You have many, many titles of philanthropist and change-maker and mother and grandmother. And the philanthropy we know is not just about health. It is higher education, it is holocaust education and making sure that Maryland is going to be a state where hate will find no oxygen. Of the many, many titles that you have earned, I’m deeply, deeply proud of one that you have, and that’s Marylander and someone who really does represent the best of us.” - Governor Wes Moore