Beebe Medical Foundation appoints Richard Sokolov to board

Beebe Medical Foundation recently approved Richard Sokolov as a new member of its board of directors. He will begin his term of service Friday, Aug. 12.

“The foundation board is thrilled to welcome Rick Sokolov, especially as the foundation embraces Beebe’s new five-year strategic plan, One Beebe. Sokolov will be a great asset as we explore possibilities for future growth of our areas of service, which is necessary to ensure the best patient experience for our patients and their families,” said Christian Hudson, Beebe Medical Foundation board chair.

Sokolov is currently vice chair and a board of directors member for Simon Property Group. He previously served as Simon’s president and CEO from 1996 until February 2019. Prior to that, he served as CEO, president and board of directors member at DeBartolo Realty Corporation, the publicly traded successor to the DeBartolo Family real estate business until it merged with Simon Property Group in 1996.

Sokolov joined DeBartolo in 1982 and served as senior vice president of development and general counsel. Before DeBartolo, Sokolov was a partner specializing in real estate at a major Baltimore law firm.

“I am so thankful to Rick Sokolov and his wife Susan for their many years of support of Beebe,” said Tom Protack, Beebe Medical Foundation president. “I am extremely grateful for his willingness to offer his gifts and talents in fundraising and philanthropy. No doubt he will help us achieve amazing things here in Sussex County for Beebe Healthcare.”

Sokolov serves on the Penn State Smeal College of Business real estate advisory board. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Penn State in 1971 and his juris doctor degree from Georgetown University in 1974.

“Susan and my family have been coming to Rehoboth for vacations for almost 20 years,” Sokolov said. “We started as weekend visitors and now have two residences that are occupied throughout the year by our family, friends and relatives. Our family and friends have been treated at Beebe throughout those years, and we have been supporters of Beebe’s mission. We want to be able to help Beebe grow and continue to care for the fast-growing Sussex County community that it serves.”