Karen Mole’s lifelong generosity to University Hospitals in Lorain County demonstrates both her passion for health care and her commitment to her community. The Mole family name can be seen welcoming patients and families throughout UH Elyria Medical Center and her most recent philanthropic effort may be seen at UH Avon Health Center, where the new UH Seidman Cancer Center lobby bears her name in recognition of her generous gift to support state-of-the-art cancer services for residents in Lorain County. The 35,000-sq.-ft. facility offers medical and radiation oncology services, clinical trials, social work, financial counseling and a myriad of other supportive services.

A resident of Lorain County and a member of the UH Elyria Medical Center Foundation, Karen is the largest donor in the hospital’s history, having made several transformative gifts to UH Elyria over the years. “I care deeply for the people of this community and am pleased to be able to provide quality care and a personalized experience where it matters most – close to home,” Karen said.

Karen’s connection with UH Elyria goes back a long way. She was born at UH Elyria, and she and her family have all been patients; her late parents, Lois and Bert, owners and operators of Hampson Enterprises in Elyria, and her late husband, Jim, were all treated for cancer at the hospital. 

Committed to Care Close to Home

In 2015, through the Hampson Family Foundation established by her parents, Karen provided Mole Community Health Project funds to support the development and expansion of programs that address pressing health care needs of Lorain County residents, including obesity, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. In recognition of her significant support, UH named UH Elyria Medical Center’s main pavilion the Hampson Mole Pavilion. Additionally, Karen provided funding for the Hampson-Mole Breast Health Center, a spa-like area dedicated to breast health that provides screenings, biopsies and other services. It is the only one of its kind in Lorain County.

The 2016 recipient of the Samuel Mather Visionary Award, UH’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, Karen chooses to keep a low profile enjoying life on Tara, her farm in LaGrange. “I have lived my whole life in Lorain County,” she said. “This community was very supportive of my family’s business, and I am honored to have the opportunity to repay the many kindnesses we received by supporting the health care needs of my neighbors today and in the future.”