Written by Tabitha Hogue
For the newly retired local psychiatrist, Dr. John Sealy, there’s
no greater thrill than watching a gift—whether financial or simply
the gift of time, effort and attention—bear fruit in someone else’s
life. Gardening is one of Dr. Sealy’s passions, and he sees parallels
between that hobby and his nearly 50-year career as a psychiatrist.
“With my gardening, it’s sort of symbolic of helping patients
grow—providing the right environment, the right nutrition, etcetera,
to enable them to thrive,” he says.
Dr. Sealy is dedicated to giving back to the community and has served on
the board of various nonprofit organizations throughout the years, including
the Switzer Center, a nonprofit special learning school with a clinical
treatment program for students who have learning disabilities, emotional
problems, attention problems and behavioral disorders.
Seven years ago, Dr. Sealy decided to set up a planned gift, known as a
deferred charitable gift annuity, to provide a source of income for himself
and a gift to Torrance Memorial Medical Center. This type of planned gift
confers immediate tax benefits and provides a guaranteed source of income
(a portion of which is tax-free) for the rest of your life. The longer
you wait to receive income, the more it pays you, making it an ideal option
for younger donors who are planning for supplemental income in retirement.
“It’s something I’d certainly advise people to consider
because it’s a win-win-win,” Dr. Sealy says. “You help
the hospital, you help yourself, and in your retirement, you’ll
really help yourself because there’s this nice little check coming
in, which doesn’t hurt anything when your income has been slashed.”
During his decades of psychiatry practice, Dr. Sealy worked mainly at the
Del Amo Hospital, a psychiatric facility located next to Torrance Memorial.
He continues to serve as a consultant at Del Amo.
“I’ve always looked out the window and seen Torrance Memorial,
which has helped us tremendously with the medical issues that often accompany
our psychiatric patients,” Dr. Sealy says.
Dr. Sealy has seen the way the hospital cares for patients. He’s
also experienced the hospital’s care as a patient himself, undergoing
various treatments at different times in his life, and he believes Torrance
Memorial to be “one of the greatest hospitals in the country.”
“The reason Torrance Memorial is a great hospital is because the
community supports it,” he notes. “That’s what I want
to do. I want to see it thrive, and it is. I’m very proud of it.
We’re very fortunate in Torrance to have such a remarkable hospital.”
Having retired from his psychiatry practice in December, Dr. Sealy is now
beginning to receive income from the deferred charitable gift annuity
he set up with Torrance Memorial. He is enjoying more time to read, work
in his garden and play the piano. He is also learning to become a better
cook and baker. Having recently joined the board of the South Coast Botanic
Gardens, he is looking forward to the opening of the new rose garden in April.
Establishing a charitable gift annuity with Torrance Memorial Foundation
allows you to support our mission and receive steady payments during your
retirement years. You can begin receiving payments immediately or defer
payments to a time you designate in the future.
How It Works
Through a simple contract, you make a donation of cash or securities to
Torrance Memorial Foundation, and you receive a fixed amount each year
for the rest of your life, and the life of your spouse if you choose.
Your age when the payments begin determines the annual payout rate. The
older you are, the higher your fixed rate. You receive payments for life,
and whatever is left after your lifetime goes to Torrance Memorial.
Tax Benefits
You receive an income tax deduction for a portion of your gift in the year
you set up your gift annuity. Your annuity payments are also partially
tax-free throughout your estimated life expectancy.
We Can Help
Contact Sandy VandenBerge at 310-784-4843 or Sandy.VandenBerge@tmmc.com
with any questions. You may also visit our website at
torrancememorial.org/plannedgiving and click on Plan by Age to learn more. The online calculator can determine
payment amounts and tax benefits for your age and donation amount.