Donor Stories-Spielman

Dr. Joanne Gottridge and
Hal Spielman

Donor Blends Gifts to Create Research Awards

Author and researcher Harold “Hal” Spielman is grateful for the superb health care he has received at Northwell Health—which is why he has blended gifts to fund research awards in his name.

A longtime patient of internist Dr. JoAnne Gottridge, Hal funded the Spielman Research Awards with a multi-year pledge combined with a gift in his will. The first awards were presented last November to two physicians, Dr. Jacqueline Barrientos and Dr. Anna Mathew.

“I had the idea, the Northwell Health Foundation and hospital staff helped craft the gift and the language for my will, the physicians receive the support needed to conduct clinical studies, and our community ultimately benefits from the outcomes of the research,” Hal said. “It’s a win-win-win-win scenario!”

Hal attended the City College of New York and, after a stint in the Army, began his multi-faceted career by co-founding a market research firm, McCollum Spielman Worldwide. He has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences on marketing and advertising and was elected by his peers into the Market Research Hall of Fame. His “retirement” in 2008 coincided with the death of his wife, Jackie.

“I found myself floundering and decided to find out how people cope with being alone after a long-term relationship,” he said.

The results of seven research studies and interviews with more than 1,600 men and women are captured in his book, Suddenly Solo. He also has a web site, www.suddenlysolo.org, and a weekly radio show. Hal’s insightful efforts have helped both mature adults and researchers at Northwell Health have a more fulfilling future.