Mount Nittany Health is honored to celebrate Kay Kustanbauter, Vice Chair of the Mount Nittany Health Foundation’s Board of Directors, and a dedicated advocate for the health and well-being of our community. With her recent $25,000 gift and a $25,000 bequest to the new Patient Tower at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Kay continues her legacy of generosity, a commitment she has nurtured throughout her life. Her philanthropy will play a vital role in advancing healthcare services, enhancing patient care, and ensuring that future generations have access to quality medical facilities.
Kay’s relationship with philanthropy began at a very early age. “One of my first memories was going door-to-door with my mother in the 1950s, asking for donations for the American Heart Association,” Kay remembers fondly. “As a treat, I got to give each donor a little heart-shaped pin, which sparked a lifelong love for sharing and giving.” This formative experience, along with her mother’s example, laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for community service and generosity.
For Kay, giving to Mount Nittany Health is a natural extension of her devotion to her community and her belief in the importance of accessible, high-quality healthcare. “This is my home, and Mount Nittany Health has always been here for me and my family,” she said.
Born at what was then Centre Community Hospital in Bellefonte, she volunteered there as a teenager and continued to do so after her retirement. Her service has ranged from supporting patients in Radiology to delivering refreshments to patients, to more recently volunteering in the Gift Shop and serving on the Mount Nittany Health Foundation’s Board of Directors. Kay has also served as a member of the Mount Nittany Health Foundation’s Golf Classic committee for more than two decades. Her deep-rooted connection to Mount Nittany Health has only strengthened her resolve to ensure its success, especially as it grows to meet the community’s evolving healthcare needs.
“Kay’s passion for giving and her dedication to the Mount Nittany Health Foundation are deeply inspiring,” said Adrienne Krasowitz, Executive Director of the Mount Nittany Health Foundation. “Her leadership and generosity have truly enhanced our ability to serve this community.”
Kay’s devotion to her community and her professional life have long been intertwined, with an impressive career at Penn State, spanning over four decades. At 17, she began as a secretary at the University and quickly thereafter, established herself as an important member of Penn State’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Her role evolved as she joined what was at the time Penn State’s Sports Information and Public Relations, and later led the Nittany Lion Club through multiple capital campaigns. During her remarkable 43 years of service, she played an essential part in strengthening the University’s relationships with students, athletes, alumni, and the broader Penn State community, dedicating her career to supporting and uplifting others.
Reflecting on her time at Penn State, Kay discusses the relationships she formed. “My work was more than a job,” she explains. “It was about building connections, sharing in people’s successes, and contributing to something larger than myself.” Professionally, Kay was recognized as the NACDA Intercollegiate Director of the Year in 2000. Her warmth and commitment to Penn State earned her widespread admiration, which culminated in her recognition as the Renaissance Honoree of the Year in 2013, an award celebrating her lasting impact and dedication to the community.
“I’ve lived in this community my entire life, and knowing that my contribution can help make a difference is very fulfilling,” said Kay. “Giving is more satisfying than receiving; it brings a happiness you can’t put a price on.” Kay’s hope is to inspire others, regardless of their financial capacity, to experience the joy of giving. “Any acts of generosity, regardless of the donation amount, are meaningful,” she shared.
The new Patient Tower, a central focus of Mount Nittany Health’s ongoing expansion, will provide 168 private patient rooms, and a nurturing environment designed for healing and recovery. With an emphasis on the future, the Patient Tower will enable Mount Nittany Health to attract leading medical professionals and expand service offerings that respond to the community’s needs.
“Kay’s commitment to Mount Nittany Health reflects her love for this community and her dedication to its future,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO, Mount Nittany Health. “Her support strengthens our mission to deliver the highest quality of care to all.”
Kay’s story is a testament to the power of community and a life of purpose-driven giving. Her belief that “the giver is the one who receives” emphasizes a legacy of compassion and kindness that will inspire others for years to come. Through her generosity, Mount Nittany Health is better equipped to serve, grow, and support its mission of “Healthier people, stronger community.” Her gift will create a lasting impression that will affect generations to come.