Robert J. Sowislo Memorial Fund 

Background 

On December 17, 2021, we lost our dear friend and colleague, Bob Sowislo, who suffered a sudden death while working in his home office. Bob was the son of displaced persons after World War II. His father died early, and as the oldest child, Bob helped raise several siblings in poor circumstances in Detroit. As a teenager, he worked the night shift in Henry Ford Hospital. His early talent in gymnastics allowed him to see the country and win a scholarship to the University of Michigan.  

Bob met his wife, Karen, when he was 27, at the hospital where they both worked. Karen said, “he was very hard-working with three part-time jobs in addition to his budding career. He slept little, took pride in his work, finished a Master's degree and created a life for his family.”  

He always wanted to nurture and mentor others, including his children, grandkids, and colleagues. He was generous, always looking to help others, and supported Karen’s career ambitions. Bob was defined by his intellectual curiosity and spent his entire life learning and improving. He was the rare financial guy who could talk finance and make the human connections needed to develop good programs. He cared about those he served and would always find the money needed to fulfill the mission. At Christmas, he liked to visit and thank staff for their commitment to patient care. Bob was selfless and would sacrifice for a cause, often putting others’ needs ahead of his own. 

Over the past 25 years, Bob devoted much of his life to the field of Home Care Medicine. His priorities included building support for public policy work that improved how Medicare paid for home care medicine, maintaining the mission of the AAHCM, and mentoring others who shared his spirit to serve. He showed even greater devotion to his wife, kids, and grandchildren. 

Purpose of the Robert J. Sowislo Memorial Fund 

In his memory, the Robert J. Sowislo Memorial Fund was created. The Fund aims to keep Bob’s spirit alive and provide resources to advance the field of Home Care Medicine. The Fund will provide an endowment for the “Robert J. Sowislo Person of the Year” Award. The award will be presented annually to a person who embodies qualities that Bob showed every day: Humility, Persistence and Dedication to Human Potential. 

Additionally, the Fund will provide support for critical needs in Home Care Medicine and the mission of AAHCM, such as: 

  • Public Policy reform 

  • Development and support of New Leaders 

  • Data and outcomes work to prove value of our services 

If you would like to honor Bob’s life and keep his spirit alive with a donation, please see below. Every gift is appreciated, no matter how small or large. 

*Donations are tax deductible.

Fund Details 

Administered by American Academy of Home Care Medicine (AAHCM) 

For Questions, please contact: 

Shada Biabani [email protected] OR Eric De Jonge at [email protected] 

The Fund accepts donations in several ways.
Online: Use your credit card by clicking HERE
By Mail:
Robert J. Sowislo Memorial Fund
C/O American Academy of Home Care Medicine
6728 Old McLean Village Drive
McLean, VA 22101

 

This Memorial Fund is established as a division of the American Academy of Home Care Medicine (EIN 52-1891671), a recognized 501c3 organization. All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail or email within two weeks of donation. Credit card receipts will be sent with acknowledgement of your donation. Please ask if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.