85.7 F
San Fernando
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Health Company’s Foundation Provides Millions in Support

Providence Health & Services Foundation raises millions of dollars and keeps Providence hospitals functioning with cutting-edge technology and services, hospital leaders say. “Without the foundation, we wouldn’t have many of the cutting-edge technology that we have here at the hospital,” said Julie Sprengel, chief operating officer at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. “They’re the crucial link between our community and our patients and the hospital.” The hospital foundation, with about 26 staff members, raised about $40 million for the creation of The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, said Patricia Modrzejewski, the foundation’s president. The foundation also has campaigns to help raise funds to renovate cardiac and pediatric care units at Providence Tarzana Medical Center and to build a neuroscience institute at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Modrzejewski said. Another campaign is helping build a 136-bed patient tower at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. “We have $38 million of projects going on right now,” Modrzejewski said. “We run our operation as a business. … We understand that if we don’t have a good return on investment, that donors will not support us.” Sprengel said the foundation is successful because its workers know how to properly interact with its donors. “The know how to work with our community in the time that they’re most vulnerable and turn it into something good,” Sprengel said, adding that foundation workers have to be more sensitive when approaching patient donors. “Those who work in the foundation not only have to be experts in philanthropy, but also have an understanding of health care.” Modrzejewski said the foundation reaches out to all types of donors, including patients, hospital staff, community members and businesses. It recent years, it has increased its philanthropy education efforts, she added. “We already have a giving and compassionate culture, and so we’re trying to integrate philanthropy within the culture,” she said.

Featured Articles

Related Articles