IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome
Ways to Give
Upcoming Events
Gregory J. Unruh
Gregory J. Unruh, President

Dear Friends of the Franciscan Foundation,

 

This has been a time of great change for CHI Franciscan Health as we welcome our new CEO, Ketul Patel and bid farewell to our longtime CEO, Joe Wilczek. Along with this change in leadership there are also continuing changes in the world of healthcare as we transition to wellness care rather than treating solely for illness.

 

The one constant is that we are committed to patient safety and satisfaction. Our focus is the healing of mind, body and spirit which we perform with compassion and understanding for our patients and their families.

 

We have many projects underway with the focus of always improving our programs and facilities as well as access to health care, health of our communities and the continuing development of our employees. We continue the healing ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis as we carry out their mission of providing the best healthcare to all regardless of ability to pay. This is a mission we live every day at CHI Franciscan Health.

 

We would not be able to do this without your support and for this we are deeply grateful. Because of this, we will be able to continue to transform healthcare and meet the needs of our growing communities.

 

On behalf of the Trustees and staff of the Franciscan Foundation we thank you for your support.

 

With gratitude,

 Gregory J. Unruh

    

Ketul J. Patel,
Chief Executive Officer
CHI Franciscan Health 

 

Ketul J. Patel joined CHI Franciscan Health as Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Divisional Operations for the Pacific Northwest Region of Catholic Health Initiative in February 2015. Prior to joining CHI Franciscan Health, Patel served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Chief Operations Officer at Hackensack University Health Network and Hackensack University Medical Center located in northern New Jersey.

 

With over two decades of leadership experience involving several large health systems around the country, including vice president of operations for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Magee-Women's Hospital; senior vice president at Franciscan Health Alliance  

St. James Health in Chicago; and vice president for strategic planning  

and business development at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego.

 

Ketul J. Patel holds master's degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He has a bachelor's degree from The John Hopkins University and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

 

We are pleased to welcome him into our CHI Franciscan Health family. 

 

 

 
  

5th Annual  

Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care Luncheon

Thank you for being an "Angel on Earth"

 

When the first Franciscan Hospice Luncheon was held in 2011, there was a spoken dream that this event would grow and inspire enough community support in five years to require a larger venue by 2015.

 

That hope was realized on March 19th when nearly 500 guests filled the Bicentennial Pavilion for the 5th Annual "Angels on Earth" Luncheon. The focus on hospice care for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer Disease was eloquently shared in her keynote speech "Sacred Silence" by Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care Medical Director, Dr. Mimi Pattison.

Over $140,000 was raised for the Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care Academy, a program that trains physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in general principles of palliative care and how to provide relief for their patients from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness.

 

"The space for the luncheon was transformed before our guests arrived," expressed Dr. Mimi Pattison.  "It made me think of how we do that for each and every hospice patient we see.  The support for this event helps ensure that Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care patients receive specialized and compassionate care. We know the need is there and so is the support from our donors.  I am so very grateful."  

 
As the largest, most comprehensive end of life care provider in Washington, Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care programs annually serve more than 5,000 South Sound patients with life limiting illnesses to live each day with dignity and comfort.  

 

For more information about Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care, please contact www.chifranciscan.org/hospice.  

Dr. Mimi Pattison, Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care Medical Director 
  

 

Uncorked! CHI Franciscan Health
Winemakers' Dinner ~ From Mendoza to Mesa

 

On Saturday, May 9th, CHI Franciscan leadership, medical staff, healthcare partners, and supporters filled the Hotel Murano Ballroom to raise funds for the expansion of the Jane Thompson Russell Cancer Care Center Infusion Clinic.  Where guests enjoyed a spectacular five-course South American menu with complementing wines from Argentina.

 

Sponsorships, silent and live auctions, and outright gifts for cancer care helped raise over $190,000, directly benefiting twelve new treatment spaces and chemotherapy equipment.  With a notable increase in patient volume and the need for a broader spectrum of medical options, the clinic will also provide immunotherapy and transfusion services.  Peninsula and South Sound residents will now receive more comprehensive cancer care treatment closer to home in a new and beautifully appointed space, featuring state of the art equipment.


  

 

Dr. Tom and Mrs. Maggie Baker Awarded the

2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award

  
 

For over 33 years the Franciscan Foundation has joined with the Sisters of St. Francis to annually recognize a person or organization that goes beyond expectations to serve those in need in our communities. Last year, we were pleased to present the 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award to Dr. Tom and Mrs. Maggie Baker.

 

Tom and Maggie have been partners in their marriage as they have raised their four children, established their careers, and quietly and humbly served their community. They have long demonstrated a heartfelt commitment to the mission and values of the Franciscan Foundation and CHI Franciscan Health.

 

Both are valuable members of our CHI Franciscan Health family. Maggie spent over 30 years as a nurse in our system; and through his work at Northwest Medical Specialties, Tom continues to provide compassionate  

care for the most vulnerable of patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

 

Tom and Maggie have given time, talent and resources to contribute and sustain our healthy community. They have been very involved with their local church and parish school, St. Frances Cabrini in Lakewood, living as faithful servants to benefit others. The Bakers have been known to share their home with those in crisis, to meet people in their time of need and help them along their journey. Both Tom and Maggie have traveled abroad on several medical missions to treat people who otherwise would not have access to healthcare.

 

Maggie has served on the Franciscan Foundation board and was Board  

Chair from 2007 to 2009. She has been involved with the Susan G. Komen Luncheon for the Cure in Tacoma, and she currently serves on the boards of Greater Lakes Mental Health in Lakewood, and the Tacoma Trauma Trust.

 

The Bakers have supported CHI Franciscan Health over the years through their generous gifts to the Franciscan Foundation and tireless efforts serving on capital campaigns committees to support the growth of our system.  

 

We will be presenting the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year this fall. 

 

Sr. Jude Connelly and Sr. Carmel Greg 
presented Dr. Tom and Mrs. Maggie Baker 
with the 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award. 
   
 

CHI Franciscan Health Grants Received   

 The Norcliffe Foundation 

 

The Norcliffe Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the St. Joseph Medical Center Special Care Nursery.  Grant funds will be used to upgrade the equipment and technology needed to provide the best possible care to premature and medically fragile newborns. 

 

 

CHI Mission & Ministry Fund Grants

 

CHI Franciscan Health has received two CHI Mission and Ministry Fund grants to support our mission to create healthier communities:

 

Prevent~Avert~Respond (PAR) Mental Health Initiative - $98,279

We have been awarded a 1-year project development grant to develop and launch the PAR Initiative in Pierce County. This is a collaborative initiative to reduce mental health crises by building knowledge, resources, services, partnerships, practices, and policies that transform how our community identifies and helps people who are experiencing or at risk of psychiatric crisis.  

 

Key Peninsula Healthy Community Coalition - $32,000

Key Peninsula leaders and residents will commit to a shared vision for a healthy Key Peninsula and establish a community coalition.   With assistance from a grant-funded Coordinator, the Key Peninsula Healthy Community Coalition will thoroughly assess the community's assets, resources, and needs. They will then create a collaborative, multi-year Community Action Plan that builds on current strengths and resources to sustainably achieve the vision for a healthy Key Peninsula.

 
 

For nearly two decades, the Franciscan Foundation has honored the mission and values of CHI Franciscan Health by funding projects and programs in and around the communities we serve, and in our hospitals and other health care facilities. Given that CHI Franciscan Health is one of the largest organizations in the South Puget Sound area, we are serious about our commitment to the communities and people we serve. To that end, the Franciscan Foundation focuses its grants in the following areas:

 

  • Health and Human Services, focusing on projects, programs, and events designed to improve the health status of individuals and communities.
  • Community-based programs focusing on projects and programs that benefit the economic health of the areas we serve.

 

In fiscal year2015 we awarded nearly $250,000 in grants  

to projects such as:

 

The Catholic Community Services Nativity House

Nativity House is the largest, most comprehensive facility in Pierce County serving low-income and homeless adult men and women. Their goal is to provide for the basic needs of adult individuals experiencing homelessness, and offer concrete pathways to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. The new Nativity House combines the services previously offered by three separate Homeless Adult Services (HAS) programs: Hospitality Kitchen, Nativity House, and Tacoma Avenue Shelter. Services are provided 365 days per year and include hot meals, day shelter, overnight shelter, mental health and chemical dependency assessments and referrals, rapid re-housing, access to mainstream public benefits such as Medicare and SSI, and job training. The new Nativity House also includes a new program, the Nativity House Apartments, which provides 50 units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless single adults with disabilities.

 

Emergency Food Network

The Emergency Food Network serves more than 60 food programs in Pierce County who in turn serve a diverse population of low-income clients. Of the more than 115,000 visits from individuals seeking emergency food assistance each month in the county, 99% fall below national poverty guidelines. More than half are children and seniors and almost half are families with at least one adult working. Hunger is rarely an isolated issue and usually is a symptom of a larger problem impacting an individual's ability to gain and maintain an adequate level of economic security. Since 1996, EFN has made a commitment to developing programs that not only provide wholesome food to those in need, but also offer opportunities to develop basic work skills in a supportive environment.

 

The TEARS Foundation

The TEARS Foundation is an organization that seeks to compassionately lift a financial burden from families who have lost a baby by providing funds to assist with the cost of burial or cremation services. They believe that every baby's life deserves to be honored and memorialized in accordance with the grieving parents' wishes and are committed to helping bereaved parents with this experience. They also believe that every grieving parent deserves access to ongoing bereavement support. Therefore, we also offer parents comprehensive bereavement care in the form of grief support groups and peer companions.

 

NW Furniture Bank

NW Furniture Bank is the source of furniture for agencies in Pierce County and South King. NWFB collects and warehouses furniture for qualified member agencies. As families move through the programs and transitional housing that helps them get back on their feet, they leave with little or nothing. Many can barely afford housing and food, let alone a bed to sleep on or a table to sit at. Furniture is a basic need that determines how people feel about themselves and also how well they will perform in the work place or at school.

 

NW Furniture Bank helps restore hope, dignity and stability in our community by recycling donated furniture to people in need. Willing furniture store partners and local donations provide a steady source of furniture which would otherwise end up in the dump or sold at a loss. They serve victims of domestic abuse, people suffering loss from fire and natural disasters, foster homes and especially families coming from transitional housing who are trying to rebuild their lives.

 

Centerforce

Centerforce was initially started in 1968 by a group of parents who had children with disabilities that were leaving the public school system.  45 years ago no one thought someone with a disability could work so this group of parents started, in a church, doing crafts and teaching basic living skills.  In 1971, the group incorporated as a non-profit organization and became Pacific Care Center.  Eventually they shifted their focus to doing production and assembly work and started a sheltered workshop program.  As the years went by programs and services were added to meet societal and economic needs of individuals with disabilities and now Centerforce is the largest provider of employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Pierce County.


Ways To Give

Do your 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 purchases 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. Amazon

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 you do your online shopping!


We thank you for your continued support. Feel free to forward this shopping link to your family and friends: http://www.chifranciscan.org/Support-Franciscan/Franciscan-Bookstore-in-association-with-Amazon-com/

 

Now you can link your Fred Meyer Rewards Cards to

the Franciscan Foundation!

 

Fred Meyer is donating $2.6 million this year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give. If you have already linked your card, thank you! If not, here's how the program works:

  • Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Franciscan Foundation at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number 83606.
  • Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping Franciscan Foundation earn a donation!
  • You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today.
  • If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store.

 

 
 

 

St. Clare Hospital Golf Tournament

Monday, August 3, 2015

Tacoma Country & Golf Club, 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start

 

St. Joseph Medical Center Ball

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Hotel Murano, Bicentennial Pavilion, 6:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

 

St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary Brunch

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Anthony's Restaurant, Gig Harbor, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

 

Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care  

"Angels on Earth" Luncheon

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Hotel Murano, Bicentennial Pavilion, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

For information on tickets, sponsorships or donating to these exciting events please contact: Shelley Harris, Director of Special Events at  

253.428.8407 or [email protected] 

 

 
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 CHI Franciscan Health  hospitals, services and programs.  100% of your contribution to the Franciscan Foundation is tax deductible and goes directly to the CHI Franciscan Health facility or program to which it is designated.

Contact Info

Franciscan Foundation

1149 Market Street

Tacoma, Washington 98402-3515

 

888.814.3740   l   [email protected]    l   CHIfranciscan.org 

 

CHI Franciscan Health 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.