Donor Stories—Pullman

Math Teacher Solves Problem for Northwell Health Patients

Phyllis Pullman has the ability to both help you solve word problems in mathematics and—through her first large gift to the health system—make you more comfortable during kidney dialysis. She has supported research as well as provided funds for two peaceful waterfalls in North Shore University Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit and in the Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation.

Phyllis’s parents received wonderful care and treatment at LIJ and at North Shore, so she was inspired to give back. In addition to her lifetime gifts, she included a bequest in her will to assist dialysis patients, as well as to support oncology and stroke research and the Autism Center. In addition to supporting Northwell Health, Phyllis also supports the Israel Tennis Centers of the Israel Children’s Centers, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Queens College, JFK Library, and National Jewish Health in Denver, among others.

Phyllis earned a BA in mathematics from Queens College and an MA in math from Boston University. She taught 9th- and 10th-grade math courses at the Marie Curie Junior High/Middle School 158Q in Bayside for her entire career. Currently she gives math workshops and remains active in the United Federation of Teachers and city and state math teachers’ organizations.

In her spare time, Phyllis, who is a lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, enjoys watching tennis (she has been attending the U.S. Open since the days at Forest Hills and has been to Wimbledon). She has also enjoyed more than 40 Princess cruises—including trips to Antarctica, St. Petersburg, and the east and west coasts of South America around Cape Horn. Future planned cruises include Australia and her first transatlantic cruise.