The Bahnik Family: Fueling continuous innovation at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®

The Bahnik family has turned a multigenerational appreciation for world-class medical care into a powerful catalyst for future innovation at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®. The family’s connection began more than two decades ago when the late Roger Bahnik and his wife Lore established a close bond with Dr. Harry Barbaris, the hospital’s Director of Surgery until 2007.

Over the years, the hospital became a place of safety for the family. “We’ve come to St. Francis in moments of vulnerability when someone needed medical attention. We’ve been grateful to have worldclass medical care there,” daughter Michèle Bahnik Mercier says. “It’s given us a great sense of security to have such a wonderful institution right here on Long Island.”

Roger and Lore ensured their connection to the hospital will continue through their children. Today, Michèle serves as president of the Bahnik Foundation and her brother Claude serves as vice president and treasurer. They carry the torch forward, remembering something their late father said to them: “It’s never a fun thing when you have to be in a hospital, but being at St. Francis makes it a little easier, getting great care, surrounded by such compassionate people,” Mercier recalls.

The Bahnik Foundation has focused its philanthropy on keeping St. Francis at the leading-edge of medicine, dating from their first donation decades ago until today. The Bahnik Foundation has funded the medical library and a hybrid robotic lab, and has culminated in a transformative commitment to the Cardiology Innovation Research Fund. “We care deeply about St. Francis,” says Mercier. “It’s incredibly rewarding for all of us to see the real-world impact of cardiac research. We're really proud to partner with the hospital and to pave the way for future breakthroughs.”