Admiring a Doctor and His Cause

WRITTEN BY NANCY STEINER

Carol Cox chose to direct a legacy gift to support Saint John's family medicine physician, David Cutler, MD, in his work to provide medical care to impoverished patients in Haiti. "He's a fine humanitarian and someone I've always admired," she says of Dr. Cutler, who first traveled to Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Each year Dr. Cutler and other physicians travel at their own expense to a clinic in the town of Petit Goave to provide free treatment and train local health care providers.

"These are the most impoverished people. Some can't even afford bus fare," Cox says.

Cox even nominated Dr. Cutler for CNN Heroes, a television show that honors individuals who make extraordinary contributions to humanitarian aid and make a difference in their communities. Cox, 84, retired from a career as a paralegal. In her 70s she tutored sociology students at Santa Monica College. She chose to make her gift through an annuity. She designated a fund, supervised by Saint John's and earmarked for Dr. Cutler's work in Haiti, as the beneficiary following her death.

This assures that she will have sufficient funds for her living expenses while still supporting a cause she values. "This will be a big part of my legacy," she says