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IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome
Foundation Updates
Community Outreach
Ways to Give
Upcoming Events
FRANCISCAN HEALTH SYSTEM

 

Advanced Medicine,
 Trusted Care  

 

Jon Flora, President

Greetings!

 

As we look back on the last several months, it has been an exciting time of mission focus for our Foundation.  In May, we joined with our friends at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to welcome Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Tacoma.  He is a humble and personable man - with a remarkable record of accomplishment.  As a number of us learned, a few minutes with him changes your life.  All of us in the Franciscan community hope that his influence will indeed Be the Spark to bring opportunities to the young people of Tacoma.

 

We also learned about Wynn M. Sandquist, a respiratory therapist, who had once worked for Franciscan and later MultiCare.  Through his estate, Wynn generously donated his 403(b) retirement fund to the two health systems.  The Franciscan Foundation received a bequest of over $93,000 - a generous gift that exemplified his lifelong commitment to the mission of providing quality patient care.   An incredible example from one of our own.

 

Speaking of our own, Cornerstone Club - the giving program of Franciscan's employees - raised $462,249 this past fiscal year.  Just a few years ago, less than 10% of our workforce gave to the Club.  Today, nearly 25% of our employees now give generously through payroll deduction and direct giving to provide an Employee Assistance Fund for colleagues in serious need as well as grants for other projects and programs throughout the Franciscan Health System.  People often note that "Franciscan is different."  Now you know why.  It's our great people who care enough about our mission that they choose to support this organization with their own hard earned money.

 

We live in a community that, for more than a century, has shown a resiliency that makes this a very special place.  The power of working together is remarkable and continues to make this an even stronger community going forward. 

 

For everyone in the Franciscan Health System, thank you for being an important part of our family and mission. And, thanks for being part of this great community.

 

Sincerely, 


Jon Flora
President
 

 

Desmond Tutu

Franciscan Health System Sponsors

Archbishop Tutu presentation

 

Franciscan Health System was proud to be the lead sponsor of one of the most anticipated events of the year in Pierce County - a public presentation at the Tacoma Dome by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Friday, May 13. The event, called "Be the Spark," signaled  the beginning of a movement designed to make the region a healthier and more caring place to live.

 

"We were honored to have a leading role in bringing Archbishop Tutu to Tacoma," said Dianna Kielian, senior vice president of mission for Franciscan. "Our mission calls us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we create healthier communities. Bridging cultural gaps is essential to the Franciscan tradition.

 

"The Archbishop is a disciple of peace and a beacon of hope for people around the globe," she added. "The Order of the Sisters of St. Francis, who founded St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma 120 years ago, were also peacemakers. Our organization's mission, healing ministry and traditions are very much aligned with Archbishop Tutus' advocacy for justice."

 

Our sponsorship was made possible by the Franciscan Foundation's Assisi Fund, a special fund given by donors to enable FHS to invest in special community outreach opportunities that support our commitment to being the Best Community Health Resource.

 

Franciscan Foundation Awards $64,400 In Scholarships To Franciscan Health System Staff 

 

The Franciscan Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 33 Franciscan Health System employees who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees or certificates in health care and other career-related subjects.

 

The scholarships totaled $64,400.

 

"The Franciscan organization works hard to be the best at what we do," said Jon Flora, president of the Franciscan Foundation. "We achieve this, first and foremost, by hiring outstanding people with a commitment to serving our faith-based mission. After that, the Foundation's growing scholarship program enables us to help our employees continually improve their professional skills so that our patients receive the best possible care".

"We're grateful to our thoughtful donors whose generous gifts make these educational awards possible," he added.

 

Since 1996, the Foundation has approved 314 scholarships totaling $497,300 to Franciscan employees. All scholarships are funded through charitable gifts to the Foundation from Franciscan employees, grateful Franciscan patients and their families, and other friends of the not-for-profit Franciscan organization.

 

Scholarships are awarded to employees who meet specific criteria and are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, primarily in nursing and other health care-related professions. Providing educational assistance is one of many ways that the Franciscan organization recruits and retains staff.

 

To learn how you can support the Franciscan Foundation Scholarship Program, call 253-428-8411 or email [email protected]

 

Franciscan Health System has more than 8,200 employees in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties, making it one of the largest private employers in the South Puget Sound region.

 

Campaign for St. Elizabeth Hospital 

 

SEH SignSt. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw, part of Franciscan Health System, opened its doors for patient care on February 2.  This brand new hospital is a long awaited dream come true for the greater Plateau community.  Replacing the aging Enumclaw Regional Hospital, the $75 million, state-of-the-art St. Elizabeth Hospital is twice the size, and includes a 24-hour emergency department with a rooftop helipad, advanced medical and diagnostic imaging technology, and private patient rooms.

 

The Campaign for St. Elizabeth, a $2 million community-wide fundraising effort targeted at enhancing the medical equipment and healing environment, ran through June 30, 2011.  To date, the campaign has raised over $1,925,000 from generous contributors throughout the region.

 

Recently, Dr. Ralph and Bette Zech made a $200,000 commitment to name the surgery center in the new hospital.  This is in addition to an earlier $100,000 gift supporting the St. Elizabeth Chapel.  The Zech's have been long time supporters of quality healthcare on the plateau.  Ralph is a retired surgeon and Bette is a member of the hospital board.  Their enthusiasm for St. Elizabeth caused them to want to make a larger gift to the new hospital.  In consultation with the Franciscan Foundation, they were able to achieve their goal through the use of life insurance.  By naming the hospital and foundation as beneficiaries of multiple policies, they were able to contribute $300,000 to St. Elizabeth.  We are grateful for their thoughtfulness and commitment to the hospital.

 

For a $250 contribution, we are offering a special opportunity to inscribe sandstone pavers with your name or the name of someone you choose to honor.  These pavers will be a permanent part of the hospital's beautiful Healing Garden.  Other opportunities include recognition on the donor wall in the main lobby, and naming rights throughout the hospital for gifts of $10,000 or more. 

 

To make a gift or purchase an inscribed paver, please contact the Franciscan Foundation at (253) 428-8411 or email to [email protected].  Thank you!

Healthcare HerosFranciscan Foundation Launches

Healthcare Heroes Program

 

Skilled, compassionate care is the standard at Franciscan Health System.  The expertise of our physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains and other members of our exceptional care team is second to none.

 

Have you ever thought of recognizing a special healthcare provider by showing how much you appreciate his or her commitment to your good health, or the health of a family member or friend?

 

The Healthcare Heroes Program gives grateful patients and their families an opportunity to support Franciscan Health System through a tribute to a caregiver who made a difference during their visit or stay. 

 

When you make a donation in honor of a Franciscan physician, nurse or other caregiver, your Healthcare Hero will receive a special card informing him or her of your thoughtful gift, plus a special Healthcare Hero emblem to wear proudly while providing trusted care to others.  You can also honor two caregivers, or a department or hospital.

 

Simply complete the detachable donation section of the Healthcare Heroes brochure, enclose it in the attached postage pre-paid confidential response envelope, and drop it in the mail.  If you need a brochure, or have questions about the Healthcare Heroes Program, please contact the Franciscan Foundation at [email protected] or call (253) 428-8411.  You can also make a Healthcare Heroes donation online, at www.FranciscanHealthcareHeroes.org.

 

The expression "pay it forward" means repaying the good things that happen to you by passing them along to others.  Donations made through the Healthcare Heroes Program support excellent patient care, so your gift will accomplish exactly that.

 

Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

 The Franciscan Foundation would like to thank the Susan D. Nilsson Fund of the

Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

for their recent gift of $10,463.  

 

 This gift will support patients at St. Joseph Medical Center with life threatening illness who cannot pay for medical expenses.  

 

With this gift, the Susan D. Nilsson Fund has contributed over $64,000 over the years to help our neediest patients receive the care they deserve.  We thank the donors who have made this support possible, and thank the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation for all their excellent work on behalf of our community. 

 Community Outreach

Make The Call 

Franciscan Health System Raises Heart Attack Awareness for Women

 

Franciscan Health System has been selected by the national Office on Women's Health to lead their national campaign in Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.  This includes a $10,000 contract, attained with assistance from the Franciscan Foundation.

 

The campaign aims to educate, engage and empower women and their families on the seven symptoms of a heart attack that most commonly present themselves in women.  Although women often think heart attack mainly affects men, heart disease is the number one killer of women.  A woman in the United States has a heart attack every 90 seconds.  Sadly, research shows that only half of women would call 9-1-1 if they think they might be having a heart attack.  Even fewer know the most common symptoms for women.

 

This new campaign by the Office on Women's Health has been developed to help women learn the symptoms of a heart attack, and urge them to call 9-1-1 should they experience any one of them.

 

"Calling 9-1-1 may save your life," says Karen Qvale, Director of the St. Joseph Heart and Vascular Center.  "If you are having a heart attack, treatment in the ambulance and immediately upon arrival at the hospital can make the difference between life and death." 

 

Women should call 9-1-1 immediately if they experience any one or more of the following symptoms:

 

  • Chest pain, discomfort, pressure or squeezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
  • Unusual upper body pain, or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat

 

For information on the campaign, visit www.StJosephHeart.org or www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack 


Franciscan Japan Relief Efforts

 

Since the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan, more than $24,000 has been given by Franciscan employees and community donors.  This includes more than 300 hours of accrued vacation donated by FHS employees which will be converted into cash.  All funds are being channeled to those in need through Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Medical Mission Board, two organizations with people on the ground in the affected areas.

 

"We have come to expect our employees will want to support people around the world in times of great tragedy and natural disaster," says Franciscan Foundation President, Jon Flora.  "The Franciscan Foundation exists to raise support for Franciscan Health System, but we are at the ready to help our generous people donate when something like this happens.  With 8,400 employees, we can make a real difference quickly."

 

The importance of our effort to help is best summed up by one of our employees who wrote:  "Thanks so much for making this possible.   The amazing response just proves that we Franciscans are a generous and faithful bunch!  This is a great place to work!"  We are pleased to serve as a mechanism for our community in providing aid to the people of Japan.

Ways To Give

 

Healing Mind, Body and Spirit with Music

 

Music is a universal language, and through the St. Clare Hospital Certified Music Practitioner Program, its calming gifts of peace, hope, and encouragement have been opening a healing space for patients and their loved ones.  After four years of providing this remarkable therapy, the music may come to an end.

 

Our Certified Music Practitioner Program has been blessed with funding through grants. Those grant funds are diminishing. Today, we are seeking financial help to continue the significant benefits of this program.  The accredited musician, who teams up with our medical professionals throughout the hospital, provides live individualized music to create a healing environment.

 

It is scientifically proven that music bolsters the immune system by lowering blood pressure, anxiety and depression, while enhancing sleep and relaxation.  From palliative care to the operating room to the emergency department, we have witnessed the positive effects of music therapy.  For staff and families, this music provides respite care and reduces stress.

 

The healing of mind, body and spirit is central to our mission of providing excellent healthcare for our community.  This specialized music program aligns with our mission and helps to make St. Clare Hospital a best place to heal.  For more information about the St. Clare Hospital Certified Music Practitioner Program, please contact Sue Keliher at [email protected] or 253.428.8483.

 

To make an online gift to the St. Clare Hospital Music Practitioner Program click here and select SCH Music Program.

Do your online shopping at Amazon.com and benefit the Franciscan Foundation!

 

Purchase your gifts or gift cards on Amazon.com through our website and a portion of your Amazonpurchases will benefit the Franciscan Foundation.

It's simple. Visit our website and click on the Amazon.com logo located on the right side of the page. When you start your Amazon.com visit by entering via our website, you get the same great selection and prices, and Amazon.com will automatically donate a portion of your purchases to the Franciscan Foundation. There's no cost to you. Just use the link located on our website or click on the Amazon logo below and they will handle the rest.

If you already have an Amazon account, just access it through our website so they know to credit the Franciscan Foundation.

Every month all year long, the Foundation receives anywhere from $100 to $1,000 (depending on the month) to help support the greatest needs throughout our system. The more that is purchased, the more we receive. So, if you're an online shopper, this is an easy way to support our mission. Think Franciscan First when do your Back to School shopping!


We thank you for your continued support. Feel free to forward this shopping link to your family and friends: http://www.fhshealth.org/Ways_Give.aspx?id=3422&menu_id=322


 

 

St. Clare Hospital Golf Tournament

Monday, August 15

 

St. Francis Hospital Golf Tournament

Thursday, September 8

 

Spectrum Open Golf Tournament,

benefiting Panos Koumantaros Cancer Research Fund

Monday, August 29

 

St. Joseph Medical Center Ball

Saturday, November 12

 

For information on tickets, sponsorships or donating auction items to these exciting events, please call:

 

Shelley Harris at 253-428-8407 or email .

Darci Bernard at 253-428-8409 or email.
Ellen Dooley at 253-428-8457 or email.
  
Get Involved
Franciscan Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation recognized under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation receives and administers gifts made on behalf of all Franciscan Health System hospitals, services and programs. 
100% of your contribution to the Franciscan Foundation is tax deductible and goes directly to the Franciscan Health System facility or program to which it is designated.

Contact Info

Franciscan Foundation

1149 Market Street
 PO Box 1502

Tacoma, Washington 98401-1502 

 

888.814.3740   l   [email protected]    l   www.fhshealth.org

 

Franciscan Health System is part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The faith-based system operates in 19 states and includes 73 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; two community health services organizations; and home health agencies.