Grateful for the Opportunity to Give

Joyce Cathcart may have grown up in Southern California, but her parents raised her with firm Midwestern values. She says with a smile, "We were raised as though we still lived in Michigan but with better weather."

Hard work, a positive perspective and generosity to one's neighbor are the values that have guided Joyce through her life as an executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist and volunteer leader. For many years, she led multi million dollar projects for Xerox and Northrop Grumman. She then established her own staging and interior design company here in Orange County and is an agent for Metro Estates in Corona del Mar.

"I'm grateful for the success I've had because it put me in the place where I can give of my time and energy," she says. "It is so important to open our hearts as much as we can."

During her tenure at Xerox Corporation, Joyce joined the 552 Club. She loved the people and volunteering for community events such as the Hoag Classic (formerly known as Toshiba Classic) and the Hoag Summer Fest (formerly known as Hoag Summer Classic). She was relocated to Hawaii for five years, but as soon as she returned, she resumed her volunteer duties for Hoag. "A part of me needed to give back and contribute," she says.

One of the most important lessons she learned in her life - from her parents and her work as a high-powered executive - was to look at challenges as opportunities. "We never said the words, 'problem' or 'dilemma,'" she recalls. "They were opportunities which resulted in growth and confidence."

Supporting Hoag Nurses

As a Nursing Campaign Advisory Committee member for the Hoag Promise Campaign, she is excited by the opportunity to assist with raising funds for scholarships in support of nurses achieving their educational goals while helping Hoag to achieve its goal of 80 percent of nurses with advanced degrees by 2020. "It's an honor to participate," she says. "I am thankful for the help Hoag provides to all of us."

These days, Joyce admits that life is about fun, training and working out, walks with her Schnoodle, Gwendolyn, and being active with many non-profit organizations. She's travelled the world; her two most memorable trips were truffle hunting in Umbria and witnessing the Field of Light in Uluru, Australia.

Joyce decided to make a planned gift in support of nursing education initiatives and hopes that by example, she will inspire others to also give financially or of their time and energy. Seeing the impact of philanthropy first hand, Joyce believes her investment will positively impact the lives of nurses and the countless patients they serve.

"Becoming involved with the Advisory Committee has given me a sense of participation in my health care. Hoag has become part of my family," she says.