Estate Gift Opens up New Future for Salem

$2 million purchase of the robotic surgery system was made possible by a gift from the Salem Hospital Foundation, using the Lamport Fund.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fred and Eleanor Lamport probably never imagined that they would be responsible for bringing robotic surgery to Salem when they established their estate plan for the Salem Hospital Foundation in 1973.

The new robotic surgery system, the da VinciĀ® System, allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision through tiny incisions. Surgeons have better control of surgical instruments via robotic arms with a greater range of motion than human wrists, and have a 3-dimensional view of the patient's anatomy due to a fiber optic camera.

"Operating with the da VinciĀ® System offers our patients the latest in minimally invasive surgery, with proven benefits of less pain and speedier recovery," says David Elkins, M.D., of Willamette Urology.

The first da VinciĀ® surgery, a prostatectomy, took place at Salem Hospital in mid December, 2007.

The $2 million purchase of the robotic surgery system was made possible by a gift from the Salem Hospital Foundation, using the Lamport Fund.

"The Lamports were well ahead of their time in understanding the significance that estate gifts can have on charities and future generations," says Bob d'Entremont, development director at the Salem Hospital Foundation. The Lamport's initial $500,000 fund grew in value over the years, and has been used for other equipment purchases, upgrading the intensive care unit and more.

"As people consider how they can make a difference, or look how best to put their assets to work in the future, we hope they will consider an estate gift," says d'Entremont. "Estate gifts can assist charities, improve the community, help you leave a legacy and encourage others to give." Another benefit of an estate gift is that it can grow in value over time. "That enables your gift to continue to help the organization and the community to which it is donated."

Fred Lamport, and his wife Eleanor, were both very civic minded. They were volunteers and philanthropists.

Fred Lamport was born and raised in Salem. He was a graduate of Willamette University School of Law. Lamport for many years was a vice president of the old U.S. National Bank of Salem. He also practiced law in Salem for many years, was a member of the Salem Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and was a state senator.

While they have both since passed away, Eleanor in 1975 and Fred in 1981, their extraordinary gift to the health of our community will touch lives for years to come.

Information about estate planning is available from the Salem Hospital Foundation's Web site at salemhospitalfoundation.org or by calling (503) 561-5576.