Continuing Their Calling

Since their first visit to Akron Children’s Foundation, John McBride, M.D., and Margaret McBride, M.D., knew it was a place worth investing in.

Now, after decades of caring for children, the couple has found a new way to support our hospital and our mission—through a gift in the form of a qualified charitable distribution.

A Mission-Minded Move

The McBrides met during their first week of medical school at Case Western Reserve University and have been working together in pediatric medicine ever since—John as a pulmonologist and Margaret as a neurologist.

The couple completed their residencies together in Rochester, New York, and practiced medicine for three years in rural South Carolina. After traveling to Boston for subspecialty training, they served as faculty members at the University of Rochester for 20 years.

While content with their teaching careers, the McBrides visited Akron Children’s at the urging of a friend, Keith Powell, M.D., who had recently been named chair of pediatrics at our hospital.

“Although we had trained in Cleveland, we knew nothing about Akron Children’s,” says Margaret. “After our first visit, we were blown away.”

Following meetings with Bill Considine, CEO emeritus, and other administrators, the couple was immediately drawn to our hospital’s mission of putting children first.

“We had both spent 19 years taking care of kids with chronic diseases and understood that providing the care they need is often difficult in our medical system,” says John. “Akron Children’s put kids first in a way that was not common in a more academic setting.”

From Doctors to Donors

After joining our hospital in 1999, John served as a pediatric pulmonologist, later becoming interim chair of Pediatrics in 2006 and associate chair in 2009. Margaret’s work as a pediatric neurologist was integral to the creation of our NeuroDevelopmental Science Center in 2004.

The McBrides also financially supported Akron Children’s throughout their careers—donating to the Annual Fund and participating in our Christmas Tree Festival.

When the McBrides retired in 2019, the family’s financial advisor recommended a new way to give back—using a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). It enables individuals age 70½ and older to make annual donations of up to $100,000 directly to Akron Children’s from their IRA. The QCD helps fulfill required minimum IRA distributions for the year without realizing taxable income. It also doesn’t increase adjusted gross incomes.

As physicians, the McBrides know their contributions make an immediate impact on children and families by providing staff, services and training that’s not covered by insurance.

“Supporting Akron Children’s is an investment in the future of this community,” says Margaret. “It’s a great way to give back and make a difference.”

Build Your Akron Children’s Legacy

By giving through a qualified charitable distribution, you can help make a difference in the lives of kids across our community—while fulfilling your IRA’s required minimum distribution. To learn more, contact Jason V. Sanders, JD at 330-543-8343 or plannedgiving@akronchildrens.org.