Draper Foundation supports Beebe Vascular Lab

Beebe Medical Foundation is proud to announce a $200,000 donation was made in memory of Tom Draper by Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation and in recognition of Beebe Vascular Surgeon Dr. Mayer Katz, who retired in April after decades of serving his country and community. To acknowledge the generous gift, Beebe Medical Foundation hosted the Draper Family and Katz, along with family, friends, and Beebe team members, April 23 at Fish On in Lewes.

The donation celebrates Draper’s life and honors the valuable contributions Katz has made to Beebe and the community. Thanks to the Draper Family, the Vascular Lab at Beebe Healthcare will be named in memory of Thomas H. Draper and in recognition of Mayer Katz, MD.

Broadcasting leader, family man

Thomas Henry Draper was born Aug. 18, 1941, in Media, Pa., son of the late William Reed and Ruth Kelley Draper. He was raised in Milford and spent his summers in Slaughter Beach, but his schooling took him to Mount Hermon School in Gill, Mass., and ultimately to Brown University in Providence, R.I. Draper excelled on the lacrosse field in a sport that he had only picked up upon entering college; he was captain of the 1964 Brown team and named All-American that same year. His talents earned him a place in Brown University's Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from college, Draper moved back home to Sussex County and bought a radio station. It became WTHD - his initials were its call letters. Five years later, he signed on with WAFL-FM in Milford. His broadcasting career took a big turn in the late 1970s when the A.S. Abel Company, then-owner of WBOC, put the station up for sale. Outbid twice but undaunted, Draper and his group of investors made a third and successful bid for WBOC-TV and its two radio stations. Under Draper's leadership, WBOC grew by leaps and bounds. In 2003, WBOC launched a second station, UPN21, which eventually became FOX21. It was a $13 million investment that took WBOC to the next level. In late 2015, Draper and WBOC returned to their radio roots with the launch of 50,000-watt WBOC 102.5 FM.

At the time of his death, Draper was poised to announce the launch of Delmarva's newest television station, Telemundo Delmarva. On Sept. 3, 2017, he celebrated 50 years in broadcasting.

Draper's deepest love, however, belonged to his family and friends. He travelled with his partner Francesca Curtin, spending time with his grandchildren and visiting friends both near and far.

Friends and family all agree that Thomas Henry Draper was an extraordinary man. He had a profound impact on many people, including Dr. Mayer Katz, his personal physician.

A lasting friendship

After Draper met Katz, initially as his patient, the two men discovered a true friendship and a profound respect for each other. The Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation Inc. is pleased that the gift in Tom Draper’s memory will both honor Dr. Mayer Katz and will endure forever as part of the legacy of Tom and his family.

"What a wonderful event to celebrate two great men! Beebe is so honored to receive the generous support of the Draper family and to have our vascular lab in memory of Tom," said Judy Aliquo, Beebe Medical Foundation president and CEO. "Dr. Katz has given 28 years of extraordinary service to Beebe, truly saving and changing thousands of lives."

Mariah Calagione, daughter of Tom Draper, spoke on the family's behalf. "My dad was in Beebe fairly often, and he wasn't always just telling everyone the stories of his family – which I agree he did all the time. But, every single time he was in the hospital and every time we would walk in the door, he would tell us the entire life story of every single nurse, every attendant, everyone he met at the hospital," Calagione said. "He was definitely one that liked to make connections. Dr. Katz was one of those people that dad often told us about. My dad valued not only Dr. Katz's medical help, but also his friendship."

It was that friendship that compelled the Draper family to make the donation to Beebe's vascular program.

"As Dr. Katz enters his retirement, it is appropriate to look back on his outstanding career. It is sad for us to say goodbye to him as a doctor, but we wish him the best for the future, and we hope he will still be around to help us here at Beebe," said Jeffrey M. Fried, FACHE, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO. "Dr. Katz has been an incredible patient advocate. He is a remarkable individual, and we are proud to be able to recognize him while receiving this very generous gift from the Draper Family."

"It's nice that Tom's name and my name are together on this plaque, because we enjoyed each other and we both liked to talk about our families," said Katz. "It's been 28 years here at Beebe, and I often say to my wife Nancy that I have probably spent more time with the people in my office and at the hospital than with her at home. It has really been a wonderful experience, and I thank you."

To watch the video about this event celebrating Tom Draper, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqN-7SFsHK8&t=102s

To learn more about Katz and his contributions, go to www.beebehealthcare.org/mayer-katz.

Beebe Medical Foundation was established in 1989 with the sole mission to raise philanthropic support for Beebe Healthcare. The foundation is located at 902 Savannah Road, Lewes. To learn more about how to give, contact the Beebe Medical Foundation at 302-644-2900 or go to https://www.beebemedicalfoundation.org.

To find out how Beebe Healthcare is creating the next generation of care for the community, go to www.nextgenerationofcare.org.