Feature story: A Legacy of Care
Rachel Lee, Vitals contributor
On an early spring afternoon in San Francisco, the lobby of Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) Mission Bernal Campus & Orthopedic Institute became more than just an entrance – it became a symbol of what’s possible when visionary philanthropy meets compassionate care. At a special ceremony attended by healthcare leaders, clinicians, researchers and friends, CPMC honored Maria Manetti Shrem for a gift that promises to transform the future of aging and nursing.
Maria’s recent investment will expand healthy aging research, support nurses who care for older adults and launch a new annual recognition for nurses: the Maria Manetti Shrem CPMC Nurse of the Year Award. The gift supports CPMC’s Center for Healthy Aging, its Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit, and the ongoing development of the Mission Bernal Care Complex – strengthening CPMC’s role as a destination for wraparound care in San Francisco and beyond.
“Maria’s heart is with nurses because of her mother, who cared for others as a volunteer nurse in Italy,” said Christina Oh, president of Sutter Health’s Greater San Francisco Division and Interim CEO of CPMC. “She’s also spoken movingly about the incredible care her late husband Jan received from CPMC nurses. She knows we can build beautiful facilities and train excellent physicians, but if we don’t have nurses by a patient’s side, the care won’t be complete. This gift is about investing in compassion.”
To commemorate the occasion and honor the legacy of both Maria and her late husband, Jan Shrem, CPMC named its Mission Bernal Campus lobby the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Lobby – a lasting tribute to their belief in whole-person care and the people who make it possible.
Transforming the Future of Care
Maria Manetti Shrem is no stranger to giving. A longtime patron of the arts, education and healthcare, she has dedicated her philanthropy to supporting breakthrough innovations that uplift communities and inspire human connection. Her gift to CPMC supports:
- The Maria Manetti Shrem Nurse of the Year Award, celebrating outstanding nurses who demonstrate compassion, excellence and a commitment to mentorship.
- The ACE Unit at Mission Bernal, which provides specialized inpatient care tailored to older adults, as well as nursing education. ACE unit clinicians, nurses and other team members are trained to take care of patients who are unable to communicate their needs. They review medications to minimize side-effects or prescription conflicts, and they identify and treat acute delirium. CPMC’s ACE Unit has lifts in every room to help patients get out of bed, special non-slip floors, railings in all the hallways, and common areas where patients can socialize or have group meals.
- Groundbreaking research at CPMC Research Institute and the Sequoia Center for the Science of Aging, exploring everything from cellular biology to lifestyle factors that influence longevity.
“My passion for healthcare is rooted in gratitude,” said Maria. “I believe that by investing in those who care for our elders – and in research that will transform the way we age – we are shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Specialized nurses are so important. They are the unsung heroes of care, driven by compassion and love for humankind. My mother volunteered as a nurse in our neighborhood after World War II, giving injections and bringing relief to those in need. This gift is made especially in her memory – in honor of the values she instilled in our family.”
An Afternoon of Appreciation
Sutter’s CPMC Mission Bernal Campus and Orthopedic Institute | 3555 Cesar Chavez Street in San Francisco
The event opened with remarks from Allison Duignan, executive director of the CPMC Foundation, who honored Maria for her vision, generosity and lasting impact – not only at CPMC, but across Northern California.
“Maria, you and Jan together have made an indelible mark on CPMC and our broader community,” said Duignan. “Thank you for sharing Jan with us, and for building on the philanthropic legacy you two forged together.”
Chris Lenzo, a member of the Sutter Health Board of Trustees and longtime friend of Maria, offered heartfelt reflections: “Maria is selfless. She’s the kind of person who says yes before you finish the question. We are so lucky to have her as part of the Sutter family.” With a wink to her signature style, he added, “She even made a hard hat look good at the CPMC groundbreaking.”
Oh spoke about CPMC’s new chapter and Maria’s role in shaping it. “We’re transforming this community hospital into a hub for advanced neuroscience care. This gift lays the foundation for that future.”
Two nurses from the ACE Unit were also present as CPMC’s Chief Nursing Officer Jim Benney addressed the crowd. “We will touch you physically, but we’re really trying to touch your heart,” he said. “We’ll cry with you. We’ll hug you. We’ll listen to your concerns and fears. Nurses are not just caregivers, they’re advocates, educators and leaders. The new Maria Manetti Shrem Nurse of the Year Award is more than recognition – it’s a tribute to the soul of nursing.”
Dr. Peggy Cawthon, who co-leads healthy aging research with Dr. Steve Cummings, emphasized how the gift supports early-stage research and mentorship. “We often have great ideas that aren’t ready for NIH grants. This gift lets us test them, run pilot studies, train young scientists, and turn early findings into real breakthroughs.”
Cawthon added that the team is identifying new genes and biological pathways tied to aging. “We’re learning how to prevent disability and preserve mobility as people age. Even small improvements could have a huge societal impact.”
The Ripple Effect of Vision
Dr. Conrad Vial, president of the Sutter Health Network, shared his reflections on Maria’s lasting impact: “Every gift Maria gives, one included, is like dropping a stone into a still pond. There’s the initial splash, sure, but what’s more powerful is the ripple effect. It moves outward, touches the entire system, and then circles back – touching patients, clinicians and communities. It transforms the soil where we plant our hopes for care and innovation.”
He added, “Maria isn’t just giving to a place. She’s giving to a how – a paradigm of care that ripples through an entire system. That’s the beauty of integrated healthcare.”
Opera legend and dear friend Frederica von Stade, affectionately known as “Flicka,” closed the program with a surprise performance. “I don’t think there’s a corner of this world that hasn’t been blessed by Maria,” she said. “So, I wanted to offer you a little song, for you and your mamma.” She was joined by four student singers from the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra in Berkeley.
Following the unveiling of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Lobby, guests were invited to tour the newly named fifth-floor ACE Unit with Maria and her philanthropy strategist and biographer, Mauro Aprile Zanetti, where a plaque now honors the Manetti Shrem Foundation contribution.
Building Toward a Healthier Future
CPMC’s Research Institute and its ACE Unit are already redefining how healthcare systems serve older adults. With Maria’s support, their capacity to deliver tailored, compassionate care is expanding and so is the recognition of the nurses who make it all possible. Additionally, this gift will help launch a new chapter for CPMC Mission Bernal Campus.
Maria’s gift strengthens Sutter Health’s broader commitment to advancing whole-person care, empowering the healthcare workforce and creating healthier communities across generations.
About Maria Manetti Shrem
Born in Florence, Italy, Maria Manetti Shrem helped bring brands like Gucci and Fendi to an international stage before shifting her focus to philanthropy. Alongside her husband, Jan Shrem, she has supported more than 50 charitable programs across the United States, Europe and the UK, including institutions such as Sutter Health’s CPMC, UC Davis, the Metropolitan Opera, SF Opera, KQED and UCSF. In 2016, the couple co-founded the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis.
Her philanthropic focus on nursing is especially personal as her mother volunteered as a nurse in Florence, and Maria often credits the CPMC nursing staff for the comfort and dignity they provided her late husband.
Maria has received numerous honors for her role as a cultural ambassador and world-class arts philanthropist. In 2023, she was awarded the UC Davis Medal – the university’s highest honor – for her transformative contributions to the arts and healthcare.
About Sutter Health CPMC
Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) is part of the not-for-profit Sutter Health network of care, serving the San Francisco Bay Area with advanced specialty care, research and innovation. CPMC is home to world-class programs in neurosciences, aging research, cancer care, cardiology and women’s health.
