IN M EM O R I A M
Donald Zadeck An icon in the development of our health sciences center passed away at the age of 92 on July 15, 2020. Mr. Zadeck served as the inaugural Chairman of the LSU Health Shreveport Foundation at the request of his dear friend and Foundation founder, Dr. Ike Muslow. He served as Chairman from 1997-2008, making him the longest serving Chairman in the 23 year history of the Foundation. Upon stepping down as Chairman, he was unanimously named Chairman Emeritus. Mr. Zadeck remained financially supportive and keenly interested in our health sciences center until the time of his death. His priorities as the Foundation Chairman were to acquire property that would allow for LSUHS growth, provide then Chancellor Dr. John C. McDonald with the support needed to be successful, and to raise awareness about the incomparable healthcare provided by LSUHS physicians. Working closely with the former Foundation board member, Mr. Bob Pugh, Sr., Mr. Zadeck led the effort to acquire over 25 acres through fifteen separate real estate transactions. These land acquisitions have been and continue to be instrumental in providing parking for employees, students, and patients, as well as serving as home to the Louisiana Poison Control Center, LSUHS COVID-19 Community Outreach Strike Team, and many other initiatives. Other achievements during Mr. Zadeck’s tenure include: • Increasing Foundation assets • Increasing the number of endowed chairs and professorships from 9 to 39 • Successfully raising awareness of the caliber of physicians and clinical programs at LSUHS. Mr. Zadeck personally recruited dozens of his contemporaries and their families to access their healthcare from LSUHS physicians, while also availing Foundation staff to help patients connect with physicians. He also appeared on numerous TV ads extolling the caliber of physicians at LSUHS In addition to the tremendous impact Mr. Zadeck made on our health sciences center, he contributed his time and talents to many other civic endeavors serving as President of B’Nai Zion Congregation (1970-73); Chairman of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce (1977); Chairman of the Board of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (1978-79); President of Committee of 100 (1980-81); Member of the State of Louisiana Board of Regents (1981-86); and Member of the Shreveport Fire and Police Civil Service Board (1989-98) serving as Chairman for eight years. Donald was the recipient of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce “Business Leader of the Year Award” in 1980, the “Mr. Shreveport Award” in 1981, and the LSU Health Shreveport Community Hero Award in 2017. Mr. Zadeck moved to Shreveport at a young age, attending the Creswell School, C. E. Byrd High School, and Centenary College. He then entered the Army Air Force, and served in the Philippines and Japan following World War II. After his discharge, he attended Louisiana State University Law School in Baton Rouge, where he served on the Louisiana Law Review. Mr. Zadeck was an astute businessman serving as the President and Founder of Zadeck Energy Group. Donald and his loving wife and best friend, Frances Katzenstein Zadeck were married on November 22, 1951. They had three children: Donald Jr., Julie, and Frank Kenneth “Kenny”. When Donald Jr. passed away in 1995, the Zadeck Family chose to honor him with the beautiful garden located in front of the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center.
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INSIDE LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT
