With great sadness, we recently learned that one of our greatest Rotarians and active member of the Chestnut Hill community, Susan Bray, M.D., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6.
Bray joined Chestnut Hill Rotary on June 1, 2004, and was the first member to serve as club president twice, in 2011-12 and 2020-21. She regularly volunteered on almost every committee but was most active in international service.
"Susan was a member of our Club's International Committee for nearly 20 years. She rarely missed a meeting and always could be counted on to give good advice," said long-time member and friend Tom Lloyd. "She had the ability to get to the heart of a matter, prioritize issues and offer advice in a way that antagonized no one, and was almost always taken."
Bray, far right with Chestnut Hill Rotary volunteers painting the Jenks Academy for the Arts & Sciences art room.
"Susan was such a good friend. We were both inquisitive about the natural and physical world from extraordinary animals like the octopus to the cosmos," said member Carol Bates. "Every week one summer when I was going through chemotherapy, she visited me and cheerfully brought me a big bowl of fresh berries that contained natural antioxidants that are good for healing."
Longtime member, Elliot Schwartz recalled her wise medical advice she gave to his father-in-law not to do dialysis. Unfortunately, he did not listen and passed away his first time at dialysis. She was always there to comfort friends too. “When my wife Carol was suffering at the end of her life, Susan was there to say it was ok,” said Schwartz.
Bray, center, attending Chestnut Hill Rotary’s annual “Lobster Fest” fundraiser.
She always volunteered for the most difficult service projects: cleaning the pergola on Germantown Avenue; painting the art room at Jenks Academy of Arts & Sciences that took three weeks in the heat of the summer; organizing, setting up, and cleaning up after the annual Lobster Fest fundraiser. "She happily was the first to sign up for cleaning the lobster pots, a job no one looked forward to," recalled Bates.
Bray worked at Chestnut Hill Hospital where for more than 35 years, she specialized in nephrology, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.
She was a pioneer in regards to gender equity in her field which was at one time dominated by male doctors. She was the first female president of the Chestnut Hill Hospital medical staff in the late 1980s and the first female chief of the department of nephrology.
Bray also established palliative care units at Chestnut Hill and Hahnemann Hospitals, The unit at Chestnut Hill Hospital opened in 2011 and followed closely by the opening at Hahnemann Hospital. Unlike hospice care, palliative care manages the pain of end-stage disease while also permitting patients to consult with specialists for ongoing treatment. In February of this year, Chestnut Hill Hospital honored Susan’s contributions by naming the program the Susan Bray, MD, Palliative Care Program.
Despite her many strengths and accomplishments, Bray was humble and well-respected. Regarding the palliative unit being named for her, she said, “I am very honored, but I really feel unworthy of this honor. But if it brings palliative care to the forefront, I'll jump in with both feet."
"She was a wonderfully strong and wise mentor to me in my role with Rotary,” says Andy Sears, Chestnut Hill Rotary President. “In her 20 years as a member, she was always very generous. In the South, women with Susan's strength and elegance are referred to as 'Steel Magnolias' and her guidance was always delivered with a few very and very direct words. I never said 'no' to Susan and that was always the right decision."
Dr. Bray on medical mission in Guyana, South America. The boat was temporarily stranded in the middle of the river when it ran out of fuel. A boat was needed by her medical team to reach remote villages.
Founding Chestnut Hill Rotary member, Rebecca Anwar recalls when she and Bray joined a medical mission to Guyana, South America. Some of the villages were so remote that they had to travel by a small river boat to reach the medical outposts. "There were very few medical supplies and all she could do for some patients was a cursory examination and provide Tylenol, a bandage, and lots of empathy," said Anwar. At one point, the boat ran out of fuel and they were stranded in the middle of the river until rescuers arrived to refuel the boat.
Dr. Bray speaking to local villagers on medical mission in Guyana, South America
She stayed for ten days going to various villages and visited Hope Children's Home, an orphanage that Chestnut Hill Rotary regularly provides financial support and donates clothing and supplies. While at the orphanage, she and her team provided medical care to the local villagers.
Bray lived in the Chestnut Hill area for more than four decades and was an active member of the community beyond Rotary. She served in leadership positions at the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Woodmere Art Museum, Chestnut Hill Conservancy and the Choir of Our Mother of Consolation Church.
“When we think of Rotary’s Four Way Test, she was one of the best examples of someone who fulfilled it on a daily basis”
“Susan served two years before me as our club president. She was supportive, encouraging and helpful to me during my year and she did not stop after my year was over," said member, Tim Ziegler. "She has been an inspiration as she has helped so many people through her long career as a doctor and many years as a special caring person. I feel blessed to have had her in my life the past fourteen years and will miss her.”
"When we think of Rotary's Four Way Test, she was one of the best examples of someone who fulfilled it on a daily basis,” said Lloyd.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118. The Visitation, with Family, will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.. at the Church.
Donations in Susan's memory may be made to Keystone Hospice and Palliative Care, 8765 Stenton Avenue, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. Thank you from her family. More information is HERE.
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