A Lifelong Bond with “Big City Medicine, Hometown Care”

Lisa Gridley’s St. Luke’s Story

Growing up on St. Luke’s Bethlehem Campus, I have always felt that St. Luke’s was more than just a hospital—it was the heart of my community and, in many ways, an extended member of our family.

Some of my earliest memories are walking with my father [former St. Luke’s CFO Tom Lichtenwalner] as a young candy striper through the St. Luke’s buildings where he greeted staff members by name and showed deep respect for the doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Both of my parents exemplified the spirit of giving that runs through our community and continues in our family today with my husband, Josh, and son, Eli.

Their generosity was infectious, and I remember a motto that St. Luke’s embraced years ago— “Big City Medicine, Hometown Care” —that my family still embodies to this day.

Our family has faced many health challenges – autoimmune diseases, heart health issues, and more. Heart disease, in particular, left its mark on us. My grandfather passed away at age 50, and my father and his brother both struggled with heart conditions. For families like ours, access to innovations such as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machines are essential and we are committed to supporting St. Luke’s to ensure that cutting-edge care is always within reach.

My mother, Rose, was also touched by the kindness and skill of St. Luke’s nurses who cared for her as she battled stage 4 pancreatic cancer. St. Luke’s staff were relentless in researching new options, always striving to bring hope to our family and giving my mother comfort and dignity. For that, I am forever grateful.

What makes St. Luke’s truly special, beyond its cutting-edge medicine, is its people. We are often invited to St. Luke’s events; the doctors know us, and we know them. The spirit of community is alive in every handshake, every smile. St. Luke’s is not just a hospital—it is home, a place where care and compassion are woven into every experience. We are proud to support St. Luke’s and grateful for the legacy our family shares with this extraordinary institution.

We invite you to watch this short video about ECMO to see how the generosity of our donors strengthens our Heart and Vascular programs while improving outcomes for patients and families across our community.