The Cozad Family: Continuing a Legacy of Giving

When kids with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues are hospitalized, it can be scary for them — and for their parents. At the Nyman Family Unit for Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellness at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, we work hard to make hospital stays easier by providing comfortable, soothing surroundings and supportive resources, much of which is made possible through donor support.

For the last 10 years, Kathy and David Cozad and their kids, Alyssa and Kyle, have been making annual gifts to the Nyman Family Unit, supporting a variety of areas that help foster its highly therapeutic, welcoming, family-centered environment. Their generosity enabled the purchase of a light wall for the unit, which provides a one-of-a-kind sensory experience for patients. They have also made gifts supporting the Nyman Family Unit’s pet therapy program, the redesign of its comfort room, faculty training in psychotherapeutic modalities, and sensory devices for young people to soothe them and help them cope.

Recognizing the importance of staff well-being, the Cozads give gifts to everyone at the Nyman Family Unit and the Consultant-Liaison Psychiatry Service each year during the holidays. 

“It’s our way of thanking them for all they do for patients and families throughout the year,” says Kathy. 

Staff gifts have included fleece vests, mugs, shirts, and more recently laptop bags. The family always includes a note with their gift, expressing gratitude to the staff for the critical role they play in helping youth with their mental health journeys.

Over the years, the Cozad family’s support for the Healing Reads Initiative has helped keep the Department of Psychiatry’s pediatric and adult inpatient libraries stocked with entertaining and informative books. Patients have said these books have made a meaningful difference to them. One year, the Cozads supported the Healing Reads Initiative by offering matching dollars from the Joseph and Karen Krantz Family Charitable Foundation to double the impact of all gifts made to the program.

The Krantz Foundation is a charity close to the Cozad family’s hearts. It was founded in honor of Joseph and Karen Krantz — Kathy’s parents. To Kathy Cozad, philanthropy is a family tradition that she is grateful to continue. Today, her kids are joining her in making a difference for others through compassionate and visionary generosity.

[The bottom photo shows Kyle, Kathy, and Alyssa Cozad with a furry helper on Santa Day.]