Devoted supporter of UMass Chan Medical School loses battle with cancer

With her husband, Stanley, Eileen Berman focused on the power of philanthropy 

April 2013

Eileen Berman, EdD, and her husband, Stanley Berman, made quite a team. When they talked about what they wanted to accomplish for their family and for others, it was easy to feel inspired—their strongest desire was to make a difference. And make a difference they did, particularly in their beloved Worcester at the academic health sciences system comprising UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

In July 2010, following cancer treatment that Eileen received at the Cancer Center of Excellence, the couple decided to sponsor cancer research here that focuses on early detection and prevention initiatives by establishing an endowed fund—the Dr. Eileen L. Berman and Stanley I. Berman Foundation.

“It gives us tremendous satisfaction to give to a Worcester organization,” they said in 2011. “Growth in the cancer center brings doctors and other health care providers to the area who will in turn need housing and other necessities, which will ultimately help Worcester.” Sadly, Eileen lost her battle with cancer on April 7, 2013.

“We are proud that our academic health sciences system is the beneficiary of the Bermans’ steadfast support of our work in cancer research,” said UMass Medical School Chancellor Michael F. Collins. “The family’s request that donations in memory of Eileen be made to the Dr. Eileen L. Berman and Stanley I. Berman Foundation is certainly a fitting tribute to her. She will be dearly missed.”

The Bermans’ ties to Worcester run long and deep. Eileen was teaching English and theater arts at the Bancroft School when she first met Stanley who had returned to his home town after serving during the Korean War. Following his army service, Stanley, a graduate of Worcester Academy and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, had a distinguished 30-year career at Norton Company, spending five of those years representing the company in Australia.

Eileen had a varied and interesting career as a psychologist, educator and writer. After teaching, marrying Stanley and having two children, she earned a master’s degree in psychology from Assumption College and a doctorate from Boston University. She was a practicing psychologist at the Fallon Clinic before joining her husband in Australia, where she assisted expatriates in dealing with relocation stress and helped companies develop strong management staff.

Once back in the U.S., she resumed her psychology practice and wrote extensively, authoring two books: “Dealing Effectively with Job Loss, Building Productivity: 18 Blueprints for Success” and “You're Fired! A Unique Approach to Rebuilding Your Life.” For ten years, she wrote a monthly column about stress and productivity for Business Digest, published the CEO Growletter and was a columnist for Industrial Management magazine, writing about productivity issues regarding the relational aspects of job performance and about issues concerning people skills in the workplace and how to improve upon them.

When they were interviewed together in 2011, both Eileen and Stanley said that they would never retire as long as they felt they were making a difference for others.

“We wanted to take our money and see something come from it,” they said. “We chose UMass because it is local and we have emotional ties to Worcester. UMass Medical School is a growing, vibrant place. Our two children were born at UMass Memorial and most of our doctors are still there.”