'Caregiver Week' honors Hill healthcare expert

Susan Sargent, a longtime Chestnut Hill resident who died Nov. 28, 2024, two days before her 75th birthday, was a nationally recognized leader in expanding health insurance coverage for behavioral health services, working with many of the nation's leading systems and advising many state and federal policy leaders.

As a result of her contributions, the National Comedy Center recently announced that it will launch its first Susan Sargent Caregiver Week to honor caregivers supporting loved ones through illness or disability. Presented during National Family Caregivers Month, the initiative is offering complimentary museum admission through Nov. 15 for caregivers and the loved ones receiving their care. Participants will receive take-home resources to bring laughter and connection into their relationships.

Together, the experiences of Sargent, who had dementia, and her husband and caregiver, Mitch Goldman, along with the work of the Comedy Center have created opportunities for other caregivers and care recipients to share the connection the couple found through comedy. Sargent's and Goldman's family and friends have supported this initiative with gifts in her memory, making the first Susan Sargent Caregiver Week possible.

"Visiting the National Comedy Center was an extraordinary experience for Susan and me," said Goldman. "At a time when conversation had become difficult, laughing together brought back memories and gave us a way to connect. I treasure those moments, and it means a great deal to me that this program will help other caregivers and their loved ones find that same joy and connection. I know Susan would have loved that."

Sargent was a prolific writer on behavioral healthcare issues and an expert witness on developing state legislation to expand insurance coverage for mental health. She also was a board member and officer of the Wharton Healthcare Management Alumni Club. In the 1970s, she received a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she concentrated in healthcare finance and administration.

In the late stages of her life, Sargent and Goldman, whom she had met at Penn, faced the profound challenges of frontotemporal dementia, damaging the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which affected her ability to communicate. While battling the disease, the pair visited the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.

According to Gary Hahn, a spokesman for the center, "During their visit, classic comedy and the museum's interactive exhibits prompted memories and speech, creating moments of joy, shared laughter and recognition and providing a needed source of respite for them both."

"Caregiving can leave little room to simply enjoy being together," said Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center. "Susan and Mitch's experience inspired us to think about how comedy can help create that space for laughter, connection and relief from the demands of caregiving."

"Having been a caregiver for my own parents, I know how much those moments of laughter and connection can mean," said comedian and National Comedy Center advisory board member Lewis Black. "Caregiving can be hard, and being able to laugh with someone you love matters."

For Susan Sargent Caregiver Week complimentary admission details, or to make a donation supporting the National Comedy Center's Comedy & Caregiving initiative, visit ComedyCenter.org or call 716-484-2222. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.

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