Morgan L. and Helen Fitch leave legacy

Mr. Morgan L. and Mrs. Helen Fitch were passionate about justice. This was exemplified through Mr. Fitch’s legal career, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Fitch’s commitment to the Medical Ethics program at Swedish Covenant Hospital. It was this passion that inspired them to become among Swedish Covenant Hospital’s strongest supporters and members of the Heritage Society. Through generous annual fund donations, their support allowed for the growth and expansion of the Medical Ethics program, furthering patient-centered care and policies. Their generosity will continue to make an impact on Swedish Covenant Hospital as a result of their charitable gift annuities, a planned giving vehicle that involves the transfer of assets to an organization and, in return, provides the donor fixed annual payouts for life.Mr. Fitch grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. After graduating from Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Fitch began his lifelong affiliation with the Navy. Following his active service, he went to law school at the University of Michigan. In 1948, Mr. Fitch joined the Chicago firm, now Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP, where he spent is 58-year legal career as an intellectual property attorney and became a name partner in 1956.Through his work in intellectual property law, Mr. Fitch was introduced to Swedish Covenant Hospital. He worked with Swedish Covenant Hospital physician Dr. James B. McCormick to help patent many medical innovations. Mr. Fitch became engaged in the Medical Ethics program, which he helped to fund for 25 years, supporting educational programs, policy development and consultations.“We are grateful for the friendship and support of Mr. and Mrs. Fitch. It is because of their tremendous commitment that Swedish Covenant Hospital will continue to address the ethical issues of its diverse patient population,” said Dr. McCormick.In addition to his support of Swedish Covenant Hospital, Mr. Fitch was actively involved with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC), a nonprofit civilian youth training organization which he helped found. He also served on the board of a neighborhood bank, was a life trustee of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and served on the boards of the USO of Illinois, Tri-State (now Trine) University, and the John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago.Mr. Fitch, 90, and his wife of 68 years, Helen, both passed away in late 2013.