The Fishman Program Legacy

The Donors: Jay and Randy Fishman

Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation was started in 2017 with a donation from the late Jay Fishman and his wife, Randy Fishman. Since its inception, the program has helped hundreds of patients with chronic respiratory disease breathe more easily.

Jay Fishman is an alumna of the Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania, W'74, WG'74 and served as a Trustee of the University from 2005 until 2016. The Fishmans are long-time supporters of the University and Penn Medicine.

Jay spent his career working in the financial industry and was the Chairman and CEO of the Travelers Companies from 2001 until his passing in 2016.

The Fishmans are the proud parents of two adult sons and seven grandchildren.

The Beginning: The Need for Home Assisted Ventilation

After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, Jay S. Fishman, former Chairman and CEO of The Travelers Companies, and his wife, Randy, sought expert medical care to manage and treat this debilitating disease. ALS is a neuromuscular disease that eventually weakens all skeletal muscles including those important for respiration. In addition to a neurologist, the Fishmans realized the need for expertise in the pulmonary component of the disease. They reached out to Dr. John Hansen-Flaschen and the pulmonology team at the Paul Harron Lung Center at Penn. Dr. Hansen-Flaschen evaluated Jay's ventilation needs and developed an ongoing treatment program to maximize his ventilation capacity.

At the time, there were few comprehensive programs available nationwide, and none in the mid-Atlantic region specifically devoted to helping individuals in need of home assisted ventilation. Realizing this absence of expertise and coordinated care, they discussed the idea of developing a formal, comprehensive program with Dr. Hansen-Flaschen and the pulmonology team at Penn.

In April 2017, with an endowed gift from the Fishman family, Dr. John Hansen-Flaschen launched the first comprehensive respiratory care program in the mid-Atlantic region devoted to home assisted ventilation.

A National Model for Home Assisted Ventilation

Dr. Hansen-Flaschen recruited pulmonologists and clinicians from other specialists who treat patients with chronic respiratory failure. Today, the Fishman Program cares for adults drawn from across the mid-Atlantic and beyond using telemedicine to extend the reach of the program.

We are a national model for other hospitals and health systems seeking to support patients who benefit from at-home breathing support. Our active research program, led by Dr. Jason Ackrivo, seeks to discover new and better ways to support patients with chronic respiratory failure.

Donate to the Fishman Program

The generosity of our supporters enables the Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation to help more individuals and families. Your donation helps those with chronic respiratory conditions live at home comfortably, breathe easily and continue to thrive.

The Fishman Program also provides essential education and outreach programs for individuals and their families on home ventilation options.

• Tribute gifts: Donate in memory or in honor of a loved one with tribute gifts that benefit future respiratory patients.
• Donor-advised funds: Make a charitable account donation to support the Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation through the "Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania."
• Planned giving: Designate a portion of your estate to continue your legacy through philanthropy to help respiratory patients in need.
• Matching gifts: Corporate matching programs help your donations go even farther when your company matches some or all of your donations. Talk to your human resources department about making a matching contribution, then contact our team to learn what steps you need to take.

You can make a gift by donating online today

Donations to the Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation are tax-deductible.