Canton family’s philanthropy & love transforms MGH conference room
By GuestBy Mark Dantos
Phyllis Seresky, a longtime Canton resident, was one of those patients who made a lasting impression on the medical oncology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital through the final months of her life in 2014.
L-R: Marc and Nancy (Seresky) Duber, Richard and Rhonda (Seresky) Brandes, Clifford Seresky, and Debbie and Peter Seresky MGH Photography
The medical oncologists, oncology nurses, therapists and caregivers on the ninth floor of the Lunder Building at Mass. General Hospital routinely provide integrated and highly individualized care to their patients stricken with cancer. While that means team members get to know those for whom they care, sometimes there’s a deeper, personal connection with a patient and a loving family.
Now named the Phyllis R. Seresky Conference Room, the space was dedicated on May 18 in an emotional ceremony to celebrate the life of Mrs. Seresky. For 59 years, she was the loving wife of Clifford Seresky, and they raised three children (Rhonda, Peter and Nancy) in Canton.
Phyllis Seresky was a groundbreaker of Temple Beth Abraham in Canton and an active member of the Canton Garden Club, among several civic and community engagements.
Her name and memory are preserved in the busy Mass. General Lunder 9 Conference Room that hosts clinical rounds and teaching sessions each day.
Dozens of family and friends joined MGH President Peter L. Slavin, MD, Isaac Schiff, MD, Lidia Schapira, MD, and Nursing Director Barbara Cashavelly, RN, MSN, NE-BC, at the dedication event. Clifford Seresky cut the ceremonial ribbon and presented a gift to support lymphoma research and educational opportunities under the direction of Ephraim Hochberg, MD, clinical director of the inpatient medical oncology service.
Like others on the unit, Dr. Hochberg recalled Mrs. Seresky’s poise and grace throughout her courageous battle with lymphoma. “Phyllis was a remarkable individual,” Hochberg said. “This philanthropic commitment in her honor to support the Center for Lymphoma and advance research efforts in the field will make a lasting difference. While we continue to make incredible progress in moving the science forward, our efforts to provide more personalized and targeted therapies for cancer patients continue to be constrained by financial resources.”
“The Seresky family’s philanthropy and shared vision plays a key role in Mass. General Cancer Center’s ability to provide world-class care to our lymphoma patients,” Hochberg continued. “The naming of this special space on Lunder 9 will serve as a true motivator to all of our staff as we continue to care for our patients and move this important research forward.”
Cliff Seresky added, “Hopefully, Dr. Hochberg’s research will find a cure for lymphoma.”
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