Phil and Karen Siebert feel that philanthropy is intuitive: “We both come from families who were givers. My parents taught me to be generous. So, giving has always been in our blood.” Hailing from Chicago, the Sieberts purchased a residence in Miami in 2003 and eventually relocated permanently in 2015. When Phil sold his mortgage banking business in 2020, he says he and Karen made a “giving pledge” to each other. “We decided then what we were going to do. It’s all about giving back to the community, which has given us so much.” That community includes Mount Sinai Medical Center, and its upcoming Irma and Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Gift

“We have been supporters of Mount Sinai and its mission for decades, and several years ago learned about plans for the Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center, which perfectly aligned with our goals of continuing to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” Phil says. “It’s such an honor to be a part of it. Every family is affected by cancer, and this building offers a lot of hope.” The Sieberts are avid supporters of comprehensive care and believe that the new cancer center’s approach will allow for a personalized and compassionate experience for patients. “The new cancer center will offer patients and their families a truly holistic approach to care. So, no matter your beliefs or approaches, there are ways to take care of your whole body. That helps take the fear out of what you will have to go through. Cancer is so individual — everyone’s care is different, and everyone’s reaction to that care is different. It’s not just a place to go to get your chemo or your radiation. It’s also a place for the families,” he says.

Motivating Mission

The Sieberts believe that giving back is a core component of community. “I think that if you can have some positive influence on anyone you interact with, that’s a defining moment in both your life and that person’s life. Because let’s face it, in a generation you might not be remembered, but what you did for someone can impact their family for years,” Phil says. “Be part of your community in a positive way. Everyone has something to give, and whatever you can give, you should.” He also notes how much their personal experiences with cancer have impacted their decision to support Mount Sinai: “My wife’s sister passed at age 18 with leukemia and had a 1-year-old child; my wife was 15 at the time and helped raise her. My mom passed from breast cancer. Our family is not unique. It touches everyone in our society.”