Blue Hill - Brooksville summer residents Camilla Cochrane and Robert Strauss have pledged $10,000 to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital to stimulate new or increased charitable donations to the hospital. The challenge grant is made in memory of a dear friend, John ("Jack") P. Laurent, MD, who died in his sleep on November 1st at 58 years of age. Laurent and his wife, Patricia, also spent time here on the Blue Hill Peninsula.

The couples came to visit the hospital and meet with CEO Tim Garrity late last summer. According to Cochrane, "We purposefully took Jack and Patricia with us to see the medical facilities in Blue Hill. After we visited the hospital, he spoke highly of the administration there, their clear view of the mission, and how their priorities seemed to be in excellent order. Bob and I said, in honor of Jack - who had every intention of spending time here - let's give this gift."

The Jack Laurent Memorial Challenge Grant is intended to match gifts given by new donors to the hospital or those who increase the size of their gift. For example, if a new donor gives a gift of $100, the challenge grant will also give $100, thus doubling the gift to BHMH. If a donor increases his or her gift to the hospital this year, the grant will match that increase. To participate, people are asked to note on their donation: Laurent Challenge. Gifts can be given online at www.bhmh.org or sent to Community Relations Office, BHMH, PO Box 823 Blue Hill, Maine 04614-0823.

"This is a wonderful gesture from very generous friends," said Lynn Boulger, BHMH's Director of Development.  "Because we got to meet Jack, it is also a bittersweet honor to steward this gift. We will handle this challenge grant with extra care."

John P. Laurent was an internationally known pediatric neurosurgeon. After finishing his neurosurgical training at the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, Prof. Laurent began a long and distinguished career in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Baylor University and The Texas Children's Hospital. He was Professor of Neurological Surgery at Baylor and Chief of the Pediatric Neurosurgical Service at Texas Children's for over ten years.