Family and friends of Dr. Iggy DiNardo, who tragically passed away in December at just 62 years of age, have created a foundation to ease health care cost burdens for those in need.

The Ignatius DiNardo Foundation was founded in honor of the Salisbury physician, who was known as having dedicated himself to provide the best possible medical care to his patients -- even if that sometimes meant having to reach into his own pocket to help patients who couldn’t afford care.

Foundation organizers have partnered with Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin to identify patients and community members with urgent health care needs. The goal is to provide financial support to those facing life-altering medical conditions. By removing the financial burden from the equation, foundation organizers said, patients can focus their energy on health and recovery.

“Our family has been comforted by stories from former patients, colleagues and friends in remembering Dad, and these words have inspired us to create the foundation,” said son Greg DiNardo.

“It is our goal to continue his efforts in easing the burden of medical expenses for those in need, and we are excited to partner with Atlantic General Hospital to identify patients and community members in need of financial assistance for their medical care expenses.”

DiNardo died just before Christmas while on a family holiday trip. He was well-known across the Lower Shore for helping and healing others.

He had an infectious laugh, a kind and curious heart, and an inner peace that always shined through. 

He graduated valedictorian of Loyola Blakefield in 1975, where he wrestled and was captain of the tennis team. He then completed his undergraduate and medical degree at Georgetown University. Following graduation, he completed his residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, then served a four-year commitment with the National Health Service Corps and was assigned to Princess Anne.

He and his wife, Joanie, married in 1988 and settled in Salisbury, where they raised three children.

DiNardo and Dr. Chris Huddleston opened an internal medicine practice, where DiNardo treated thousands of patients over the decades. Beyond his private practice, DiNardo served as a hospitalist at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

The foundation will form a five-member committee, whose members will identify patients and community members in need of financial assistance for their medical care expenses. This group will ensure that all other avenues to financial assistance have been exhausted prior to submitting a recommendation to the Ignatius DiNardo Foundation.

The decision to award financial assistance will be based upon a non-discriminatory method of determination, with 100 percent of all donations going directly to the patients and those in need.

“Stories of him reaching into his own pocket to help his patients and going the extra mile to provide the best care possible were the ones that inspired us most,” said Greg DiNardo.

The foundation has an easy-to-navigate website where donations can be made: dinardofoundation.org.

The mailing address is 1324 Belmont Ave., Suite 401, Salisbury, MD 21804. The phone number is 443-783-7902.