Our Guardian Foundation Logo

At the Heart of the Matter

From ­ Friends Fall 2004/Winter 2005
published by Banner Health Foundation

Dr. Ed Perlstein, Carol Den Herder, Kristin Den Herder-Rezler and sculptor Jim Lee with

When Jim Lee, former Banner Heart Hospital patient and highly-skilled artist suffered a stroke, he was ready to put his renowed sculpting days to rest.

Discouraged after a stroke paralyzed his right hand, Lee abandoned the idea of creating masterpieces ever again. He simply did not believe he could sculpt with only one hand.

However, Ed Perlstein, MD, Lee's cardiologist and a former Banner Heart medical director, saw the paralysis as an opportunity -- not an obstacle.

"I really tried to encourage Mr. Lee to train his other hand to learn to sculpt again," Perlstein said. "His talent, after all, was really in his mind, not his body."

Lee accepted the challenge and went on to create several pieces, including a replica of Geronimo that sits today in Dr. Perlstein's office with a plaque and inscription: "To my cardiologist who wouldn't let me quit."

Through a time-honored relationship, that encouragement led Lee and his grandson, James Lee, to create a Banner Baywood Heart focal point -- a 6-foot bronze statue located at the hospital's main entrance.

Aptly named "The Guardian," it crystallizes the care and attention each patient receives when hospitalized there. It poignantly depicts a nurse cradling a heart and was unveiled at a special ceremony on Nov. 1, 2002, celebrating the heart hospital's second birthday.

Since then, the statue has become a cultural icon for the hospital. Each year on its anniversary, Banner Baywood Heart honors one staff member among several nominees for its annual Guardian of the Year Award. In 2004, 14 individuals -- the most to date -- were nominated for the honor.

The statue has a special meaning to Carol Den Herder, a member of the Banner Baywood & Banner Baywood Heart Philanthropic Development Council and a long time friend of the hospital. She and her daughter, Kristin Den Herder-Rezler, funded the development of "The Guardian" in memory of Ann Den Herder, Mrs. Den Herder's daughter and Kristin's sister, who passed away several years ago in an accident at the age of 25.

"Since that day, The Guardian has become our 'Angel Ann,' a guardian in our lives," said Mrs. Den Herder. "My daughter and I remember Ann's wisdom, warmth, strength, integrity and gentleness. To us, the statue ensures that Ann's inspiration might be felt, live on and never leave."