Burton H. Upjohn passed away over 20 years ago, but his support of the Borgess Health care mission lives on. During a lengthy battle with polycystic kidney disease, Burt endured countless evening hours of dialysis and numerous trips to Borgess Medical Center. Despite his burden, Burt embraced life, was extremely active in his community and created a long-term legacy including the annual Burton H. Upjohn Merit Awards for employee service at Borgess.

Burt’s wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Upjohn Mason and her current husband, Lowell B. “Jerry” Mason recently provided a generous gift to the Borgess Foundation Habitat for Healing campaign, in memory of Burt.

“Due to his lengthy illness, Burt and I relied on Borgess and made many trips to the emergency room during the last six years of his life,” Betty recalls. “It seems appropriate to use some of the resources I have been blessed with to support the current Habitat for Healing Emergency & Trauma Center project, since I understand that end of the equation. I can thank the staff and the hospital, while helping to ensure that excellent care is available for those in need.”