Quality Awards
Strengthening Neurology Training Through a Family’s Gift of Gratitude
Luke Cunningham's St. Luke’s Story
Luke R. Cunningham grew up in a family where hard work, integrity and service were more than talk; they were and still are a way of life. Alongside his father and brother, Lee, Luke helped grow the family business—West Side Hammer Electric (now Hatzel & Buehler, Inc.) —into one of the region’s most respected electrical contractors. Under Luke’s leadership, the company became known not only for technical excellence, but also for its commitment to giving back.
That same philosophy defined his personal life. He was a devoted husband to his high‑school sweetheart, Dona; a proud father to Meagan; and a loving grandfather who delighted in moments spent with Meagan’s children, Braden and McKenzie. Luke believed deeply in building something lasting—for his family and for the broader community he loved.
In 2018, West Side Hammer Electric, led an effort to install 2,000 new lighting fixtures at Francis D. Raub Middle School—a project that symbolizes Luke’s spirit. It wasn’t about recognition. It was about creating a safer, brighter place for students to learn — the kind of impact Luke believed mattered most.
Throughout his life, Luke and the Cunningham family have given generously to St. Luke’s University Health Network. Luke’s philanthropy has touched everything from patient programs to community health initiatives—always quietly, wholeheartedly and always in the interest of enhancing the quality of life of others.
When he passed away in March 2025 after a courageous seven‑year journey with Frontotemporal Dementia, his daughter Meagan and her husband Ryan faced the kind of loss that reshapes a family. Yet even in their grief, they knew exactly how to honor him. They created The Luke R. Cunningham Endowed Fund for St. Luke’s Neurology Residency Education—a legacy that will support the development of future neurologists for generations to come. This permanent fund strengthens the education, recruitment and training of specialists caring for patients with complex neurological conditions, a poignant reminder of the challenges that touched Luke’s own life.
“My dad taught us that when you’re able to help someone, you don’t hesitate—you just do it,” Meagan says. “Creating this fund felt like the most natural way to keep his spirit alive. It’s comforting to know his hard work and generosity will directly benefit physicians dedicated to advancing the field of neurology for years to come.”
Sometimes, Luke’s presence seems to linger in unexpected ways. Last fall, during United Way’s Day of Caring, Meagan was assigned—by chance—to volunteer at the very same school where her father’s team installed those lights years ago. Standing in those halls, continuing the type of service her father championed, she felt something unmistakable: a sense that her dad was smiling.
Dr. Doron Rabin, Network Chairman of Neurosciences, says The Luke R. Cunningham Endowed Fund for St. Luke’s Neurology Residency Education will help St. Luke’s attract top talent and support “the continued development and expansion of a strong, integrated neuroscience program for our region.”
Neurological conditions — dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, MS and rare neurodegenerative diseases — affect many people in our community, including those who have walked beside a loved one through diagnosis, uncertainty or loss and wished for a way to make it all better.
“It directly impacts how we train our residents by strengthening clinical skills, deepening patient connection,” Dr. Joan Sweeney, Program Director of the Neurology Residency Program, says of the Cunningham endowed fund, “creating more opportunities for hands‑on learning and research.”
The Cunningham family’s story is a reminder that philanthropy is about not just the gifts we give today, but also how we help shape tomorrow.
At St. Luke’s, every contribution becomes part of a lasting investment in better care, deeper understanding and a healthier future for our community. To make a gift, go to Support St. Luke's University Health Network or contact us at DevelopmentOffice@sluhn.org or 484-526-9054.
