BETHESDA, Maryland (Press Release) — The Board of Directors for the U.S. branch of the Israeli humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) elected Vivian G. Bass of Bethesda, Maryland, to serve as President effective January 1, 2022, succeeding Co-Presidents Jeff Hoffman and Judith Shore. Bass has served as SACH US’s Vice President 2020 and was a recipient of the organization’s first Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Israel’s preeminent international humanitarian organization, SACH has saved the lives of more than 6,000 children dying from heart disease in 63 developing countries and is one of the largest international medical organizations working to improve pediatric care around the world. It is dedicated to improving pediatric cardiac care in developing countries through surgery, medical missions, and medical training. It has trained Ethiopia’s and Tanzania’s first pediatric cardiac surgeons. The United Nations presented SACH with its prestigious Population Award in 2018 in recognition of its work in transforming pediatric cardiac care in Africa. It is the only Israeli organization to receive this U.N. recognition. The European Union and the U.S. government have also recognized SACH for its lifesaving work.
“Vivian is an outstanding visionary and legendary leader who is highly respected and admired by individuals of all ages, cultures, religions, and socioeconomic statuses,” said David Litwack, SACH US Executive Director. “We are honored that she has accepted this pivotal role with SACH US, especially during such a precarious and unpredictable pandemic period.”
Bass is the CEO Emeritus of Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH), a nonsectarian provider which supports adults with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities where over her 30-year tenure she oversaw programs, operations, human resources, finance, and communications on behalf of JFGH’s 77 residential locations, two innovative transition youth programs and 260 full-time staff.
In her volunteer capacity, Bass is a Vice Chair of RespectAbility, a national advocacy organization advancing opportunities and fighting stigmas for persons with disabilities. She also serves on the Executive Committee of CaringMatters (formerly Hospice Caring in Maryland) which ensures that no one dies or grieves alone, regardless of their financial status. Bass is a former Board Chair of Jewish Women International (JWI), which empowers women and girls through economic literacy, healthy relationship education, and the promotion of leadership. While Chair, she represented JWI while working with The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (a role she still holds), the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and The White House’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), among many others. Bass received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in special education from the University of Michigan.
“Knowing that every single day Save a Child’s Heart is turning heart-wrenching stories into heartwarming stories for children and their families throughout the world regardless of race, culture, religion, or disability is truly remarkable and extraordinarily compelling,” said Bass. “Being a parent of a child who died of congenital cardiac disease and a lifelong human services professional, the captivating mission of SACH resonates intensely and fervently for me on a multitude of levels. I am indescribably honored and thrilled to be afforded this esteemed position on behalf of our stellar and globally acclaimed organization, working closely with our passionate and talented board and staff. I eagerly anticipate extending every fiber of my being on its behalf.”
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Preceding provided by Save a Child’s Heart