For nearly four decades, David Beyel has helped Shore Medical Center provide exceptional health care to the community. His involvement extends beyond the boardroom, encompassing major decisions about the hospital’s future and personal connections with caregivers and patients.
Shore Medical Center will honor Beyel, chairman of its Board of Trustees, at the annual “A Cause to Celebrate” Gala on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Golden Nugget Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. The event will recognize Beyel’s contributions while raising funds for patient care.
Beyel’s relationship with Shore began in 1987 when he joined the hospital’s Properties Board. He later served on the nursing home board before joining the Board of Trustees in 1992.
Early in his tenure, Beyel visited an employee undergoing dialysis at Shore and learned about improvements that could make treatments more comfortable. He helped secure new dialysis equipment that shortened treatments by approximately 45 minutes and made the unit more welcoming.
When he returned, patients greeted him with applause.
“I have a tear in my eye right now,” Beyel recalled more than three decades later. The moment made him realize, “I’m helping people.” It also reinforced a lesson from his father: It is better to give than receive.
In addition to serving on the board, Beyel financially supports Shore and regularly attends employee recognition dinners, Guardian Angel ceremonies, volunteer celebrations and fundraisers.
“I don’t want to miss anything,” Beyel said, explaining that he values representing the community and supporting hospital employees.
Rick Traa, who joined Shore’s board in 1974 and has served alongside Beyel for more than three decades, has witnessed that commitment.
“He gives his time, he gives his talent, he gives his finances,” Traa said. “His goal has always been to see the hospital be the best possible hospital it can be.”
Traa recalled Beyel joining a Joint Commission review meeting by telephone while vacationing in France. He also praised Beyel’s preparation and interest in employees.
“He just goes the extra mile for every individual,” Traa said. “He cares about the employees.”
Pattye Herron, secretary to the board, said Beyel brings passion and intensity to his role.
“He’s very focused on the hospital as a family, as the people, not just as an institution,” Herron said. “He’s in the trenches.”
Shore Medical Center President and CEO David R. Hughes praised Beyel’s guidance, generosity and dedication.
“When you add up the hours he has devoted to this hospital over the years, it’s the equivalent of working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for an entire year,” Hughes said. “That speaks volumes about the kind of person he is and how much Shore means to him.”
Beyel credits his wife, Sandi; son, David Jr.; and daughter, Casey, for supporting his work with Shore.
For Beyel, the reward comes from seeing the hospital’s impact.
“I don’t get tired of it at all,” he said. “It’s in my blood.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Nov. 6 gala are available, with proceeds benefiting patient care. For information, contact Business Development Manager Jessica Giles at 609-653-3986 or Jessica.Giles@shoremedicalcenter.org.
