The Mercy Health Foundation Board of Trustees elected John AufderHeide, MD, as 2010 chairperson at its February 16 meeting. 

The Mercy Health Foundation Board of Trustees approved $158,650 in new grants at its first meeting of the new year on February 16. 

• The largest grant, $150,000 over three years, will allow the Food Service Department at Mercy Medical Center to implement a room service meal delivery system for patients.  This innovation will make it possible for patients to choose from a wider range of food items and order meals when they want them.  Computerization of the Food Service Department and remodeling of Mercy's kitchen are necessary to implementing room service.
• A grant of $500 was approved to provide a continuing education scholarship award to an outstanding nurse working in an Oshkosh area Affinity Medical Group clinic during celebration of Nurse's Week in May.
• A grant of $3,150 was awarded to the BirthPlace at Mercy Medical Center to continue distribution of newborn sleep sacks to new parents.  The sleep sacks are recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics for safe sleep.  They are used in the BirthPlace nursery, and by sending one home with each infant, parents are encouraged to continue using them.
• The Fitness for the Physically Challenged program received a grant of $5,000 to purchase a new stationary bike designed for individuals with disabilities.  The program provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities from the community to exercise under supervision and without charge.  Its operating expenses are also fully covered by Mercy Health Foundation donors.

Mercy departments with outstanding participation in the annual Give One! employee campaign for Mercy Health Foundation, St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, and area United Ways, were put in a drawing for a morning with Mercy's president, Bill Calhoun.  The Nuclear Medicine Department  was one of the winners and Bill recently spent a half day shadowing staff.  One of the stops was the semi-trailer that pulls up to Mercy once a week with a PET-CT scanner inside.  Technologist Josh Wiley provided insight on how the PET-CT scanner works and its advantages for certain imaging needs.  The technology combines positron emission tomography with computed tomography to show both biochemical and metabolic activity with anatomical imaging in a two- or three-dimensional computer reconstruction.  It is useful in some oncology, surgical planning, radiation treatment and cancer staging.

A lot of good flows from the fleece blankets and hats Mary Preston and her fellow employees at Kohl's Department Stores make for charity.  Mercy Medical Center was recently a beneficiary of their efforts.  "There are a lot of people who come in to do this.  It's kind of a quilting bee," Mary said.  "It's become a fun way for stores to get together throughout the year."  They are all part of Kohl's A-Team program.

 

When A-Team members' volunteer efforts benefit an organization, Kohl's multiplies the impact of their gift by inviting the organization to apply for a $500 matching grant.  Mercy Health Foundation did just that and has received a grant to be used for children's services in the BirthPlace, Pediatrics or Emergency Departments.

 

According to Mary, a triple benefit is achieved through Disney's "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion.  Through this program, individuals can apply online for a free pass to Disneyland or Walt Disney World in exchange for a day they have devoted to volunteer work.   Some A-Team volunteers use the pass for family members, but others donate the pass to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for use by sick children-making the project a win all the way around.

A charitable gift in 2010 can make conversion of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA even more attractive for individuals earning more than $101,000 or couples earning $160,000 or more.  Effective January 1, 2010 people exceeding these limits can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA for the first time.  The attraction of the Roth IRA is that distributions are not taxed, unlike the traditional IRA.  The drawback of conversion to a Roth IRA is that income tax must be paid on the amount converted from the traditional IRA which is made up of pre-tax contributions.  For people who make the change in 2010, the tax due can be spread over 2010 and 2011.  However, making a charitable gift in 2010 can yield additional tax savings.  There are two ways to save more:

 

1. Making an outright gift to a Mercy Health Foundation will result in a charitable income tax deduction.
2. Establishing a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder unitrust will provide income for life as well as a current charitable deduction.

Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is not for everyone, especially not for those who expect to be in a lower tax bracket at the time of IRA distribution.  Additionally, Wisconsin tax law is not yet aligned with this change in federal law.  Anyone under age 59 ½ and not retired would have to pay a distribution penalty of 3.33 percent to the state upon conversion. Regardless of age, a 2 percent penalty for making a non-qualified contribution to a Roth IRA would also be applied.  For all the pros and cons in your individual situation, consult your financial advisor or attorney.  For information on charitable unitrusts or charitable gift annuities click here or contact Vicki Schorse at (920) 223-0520 or vschorse@affinityhealth.org.

 

For information about volunteer opportunities

at Mercy, click here.

 

 

 

 

P: (920) 223-0520
F: (920) 223-0508
mhf@affinityhealth.org

 

 

 

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