Dr. Harvey and Cindy Tucker
The decision was a no-brainer for Dr. Harvey Tucker and his wife, Cindy.
“We
come out ahead financially by joining South Franklin Circle. The monthly
fee costs a little less than half what we spend now on our home,” notes
Harvey, an accomplished ear, nose and throat surgeon, who currently works
three days a week at Metro Hospital. “It’s a real savings and
a no-brainer as far as we’re concerned. The other positive is
that 75 percent of the entry fee we pay goes back to our estate.”
The economic advantages impressed the Tuckers so much that they’ve even convinced friends – two other couples – to join them at South Franklin Circle.
“We’re all relatively young enough to really enjoy the gym, indoor pool, and walking trails. We can also easily bike or rollerblade into Chagrin Falls,” says Cindy, an advanced practices nurse (RNFA), who currently works PRN at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. She and Harvey worked together from 1993 until 2007, when he went part-time. Harvey moved to Cleveland in 1975 to work at Cleveland Clinic and later became the last chief of staff at St. Luke’s Hospital.
In
addition to the financial advantages, the Tuckers are also happy they can
bring along their three huge dogs, two Great Pyrenees, named Maggie and Annabelle,
and Libby, a Mastiff.
“We weren’t going anywhere without them – they’re very important to us!,” says Cindy. “I think it’s unique that South Franklin Circle will allow pets. Many communities have restrictions.” The Tuckers even customized their cottage to accommodate the dogs, creating a fenced-in, outdoor run where they can do their “business” without disturbing neighbors. “It replicates the one we created here, which has worked very well for us, so we appreciate the opportunity to make that adjustment,” says Harvey.
Living at South Franklin Circle, the couple can also more easily indulge in their passion for arranging, attending and managing volunteer medical missions through local charities. Since 2000, they’ve given time to three missions in El Salvador, and two in Colombia.
“I feel that all medical professionals, deep down inside, secretly, want to go on medical missions,” admits Cindy. “What we do in our day-to-day lives is our job – a mission is exciting and different.” A typical mission lasts about a week and most participants, especially nurses, take vacation time to make the trips.
“It takes about six to nine months to plan a mission,” admits Cindy, “Many times we don’t know what to expect. Sometimes we work 12-to-14-hour days.”
Harvey and Cindy jumped at the chance to go on their first medical mission. But when the physician couple in charge of the trip backed out, Concern for Children asked the Tuckers if they would steer the ship.
“We
knew absolutely nothing about medical missions! I was hoping to go
on one to get experience!,” says Cindy. Luckily, they had the
opportunity to go ahead of time to El Salvador to get their bearings and
meet with government officials. “We helped them develop realistic
expectations -- they didn’t have a place to operate, no laboratory,
no X-ray. We were the voice of reason. We’re talking about people’s
lives—we couldn’t risk failing.”
“The need there is huge,” says Harvey, “so we decided to focus our efforts on two orphanages. Many medical professionals and organizations in Northeast Ohio donated their expertise and equipment – it was extraordinary, the outpouring of support. Needless to say the first mission was very successful, although we never did get a hospital to work in, so we did surgeries right there in the orphanage.”
“Harvey and I were in charge of the medical mission mart,” says Cindy. “We put all the specialists, nurses, audiologists in place and also got equipment donated. It’s free care. We screen patients, identify problems, make an assessment. Most of the people have no insurance,” says Cindy.
“We’re
dog tired when we get home, but we feel great,” says Cindy.
“It beats giving money – you really get to see the results and see how it benefits people,” says Harvey.
Back home, the Tuckers are looking forward to their move to South Franklin Circle. In fact, they already have someone who’s expressed serious interest in their Pepper Pike home.
“Our 9-year-old granddaughter wants to buy the house!,” smiles Cindy.