Janice Egeland, PhD, was a trailblazer, serving as one of the founding faculty members and first female faculty member at Penn State College of Medicine. Throughout her career, Janice focused her research on genetic conditions among the Amish community, ultimately leading to discoveries on the genetics of mental illness in a historically protected community. It was in this research that Janice became close to many members of the Amish community, including a very dear friend, who passed away after living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Having witnessed the profound impact of PD on her community and within her own family — her nephew’s wife is also affected — Janice became determined to make a difference in Parkinson’s research.
To do this, Janice decided to leave a substantial part of her trust to advance Parkinson’s research. She worked closely with Diana Reed-Reynolds, a CPA in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to ensure her wishes would be carried out. What began as a professional relationship grew into an incredibly close, personal friendship. Working with Diana, Janice directed that a substantial portion of her trust assets go to an organization that supports Parkinson’s research upon her death, ultimately leading the assets to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Diana was involved in the process of setting up Janice’s trust, but it was Janice’s unwavering vision that guided every decision. “Janice knew exactly what she wanted to do,” said Diana. "I just helped her execute her plan.” By leaving half her assets in her trust to Parkinson’s research, Janice cemented her legacy. Not only would she be remembered for her remarkable contributions to the field of psychiatry, but she would also have a substantial impact on Parkinson’s research.
Working closely with her professional advisors to establish a trust, Janice ensured that her wishes were respected after her passing, expanding upon her legacy and ensuring that she had an expansive impact. Janice was a “well-rounded person,” according to Diana. An avid fly-fisher, outgoing, interested in birds and even the author of a book of poetry. It was important to have all of her wishes respected, which is why Janice decided to establish a trust.
Reflecting on the process, Diana offered advice explaining that “it’s important to really give it thought. A fairly large percentage of people don’t have a will, and that creates a lot of hardship and stress for families.” Having a will ensures that you control what your assets will go toward. Janice’s story shows us all that when we plan for the future, we can truly make a difference and create a lasting impact.
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