DIRECTIONS
Dick and Norma Sarns are a team in every aspect of their lives. Dick, a WWII Navy veteran and engineer, and Norma, a teacher, established not one but two health-related businesses, developing life-saving surgical instruments and the world-renowned Sarns heart-lung machine. Later, their attention turned to rehabilitation for patients following heart surgery. In 1993, the Sarnses introduced NuStep in Ann Arbor, which celebrated the production of its 100,000th recumbent cross trainer in use worldwide in April 2017.
In addition to business, this couple shares a strong faith at West Side United Methodist Church and a firm commitment to serving older adults. It’s what led them to support the UMRC Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund and to serve on the Foundation Board for more than a decade. They are also members of the Wesley Legacy Society, through a gift in their estate plan to the UMRC Foundation.
“We have always felt a sense of closeness to UMRC,” Norma shares. “UMRC has cared for a great number of our close friends and church members over the years in just about every UMRC location. We are impressed with the options available to people of all needs and incomes, from Rivertown in Detroit, to Chelsea Retirement Community, to PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) in Ypsilanti, Lansing, and Jackson.”
Today, the Sarnses continue as a team in supporting a bright future for older adults by serving as Honorary Chairs for UMRC Foundation’s Growing to Serve Campaign. “Our decision is connected to our faith,” explains Dick. “We have found UMRC and UMRC Foundation to have integrity, and we have a lot of respect and confidence in the leadership team, Boards, and staff. We look forward to seeing a lot of exciting changes and continued expansion at UMRC.”