The Banyan Society

Established by the Center for Philanthropy, the Banyan Society is a recognition program for NCH Healthcare System patients, staff, and friends who have included NCH in their estate plans.

Membership in the Society sets a philanthropic example to the NCH community, while your investment ensures forward-thinking, caring people like you enable NCH to deliver on the promise of providing world-class patient care to everyone who comes through our doors.

Banyan Society Enrollment Form

Banyan Society Luncheon Photos

The Viviano Circle

The Viviano Circle, named in honor of Joe and Paulette (dec.) Viviano, recognizes Banyan Society members who elect to make irrevocable commitments to NCH. Joe Viviano is a past member of the NCH Board as well as the Philanthropy Committee who advocated that all donors consider creating an irrevocable legacy at NCH.

Examples of irrevocable commitments include NCH charitable gift annuities and certain types of charitable remainder trusts. Please consult your tax professional for further information, or contact us to speak with someone in the NCH Center for Philanthropy to assist you.

Joe Viviano
NCH Philanthropy Committee Member

Joe Viviano has been a dedicated partner with NCH Healthcare System for nearly two decades. He is a longtime financial donor, funding two nursing stations in the new emergency department at the Baker Hospital Downtown. He has been a medical diplomat and a donor for more than 15 years, and Joe has also given generously of his time and talent—having served on the NCH Philanthropy Committee for 17 years.

NCH has been fortunate to benefit from Joe’s extraordinary executive and leadership expertise. He enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career with Hershey Foods Corporation, serving as president and COO from 1994 to 1998 and then vice chairman until 2000. He has also served in leadership roles for many organizations, including Xavier University Board of Trustees, Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management at Arizona State University, and numerous industry and corporate boards. He was also a member and former chairman of the national Board of Governors for Children’s Miracle Network and is a past president and board member at Royal Poinciana Golf Club.

Having a lifelong love for dance, in 1977 Joe and his wife Paulette (dc.) started the nonprofit organization the Hershey School of Dance operated under the Paulette J. Viviano Foundation for the Performing Arts. And if that isn’t impressive enough, Joe was also an exceptional athlete. In 1983 he was inducted into Xavier University’s Basketball Hall of Fame as two-time MVP and a 1958 national invitation tournament champion.

Benefits

• Invitation to annual luncheon
• Periodic planned giving mailing
• Recognition on NCH Donor Wall
• Invitation to virtual events with administration and medical staff

Charter Members

• Mr. Paul G. Benedum, Jr.
• Mr. and Mrs. Dolph W. von Arx
• Mr. James P. Growney
• Mr. Joseph P. Viviano
• Dr. and Mrs. Douglas G. McCree
• Mr. and Mrs. Brian E. Cobb
• Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fehrenbach
• Mr. and Mrs. Jan F. Kantor
• Mr. William R. Lindsay
• Mrs. Marilyn V. Hibbert
• Mrs. Cecile Wang
• Mrs. Jacqueline A. Hayes
• Mrs. Homer G. Scoville
• Morris J. Lipnik, MD
• Mr. and Mrs. Steven Koren
• Mrs. Paola Copeland Groverman