VM Inside

December Edition Virginia Mason Foundation Newsletter

Inside this issue

Impact of Philanthropy | Donor Spotlight | Transforming Healthcare | Your Dollars at Work | What's Happening at Virginia Mason | Events |

 

IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY:

Volunteers are the Heart of Virginia Mason
There is no higher calling than when a person gives his or her own knowledge, skills, time or resources to someone in need of help or comfort. At Virginia Mason, our volunteers are the heart of our commitment to create the perfect patient experience.

Virginia Mason Volunteers

We are grateful to have an active volunteer core providing approximately 21,000 hours of support on an annual basis. This year that translates to a projected economic value of $425,000. Volunteers help with a variety of tasks: special projects, patient services, clerical services, and family services at the main medical center as well as the regional clinics.

The Concierge Cart, implemented three years ago, is a great example of the exceptional care volunteers provide. Patients and their loved ones often forget things such as cell phone chargers and reading glasses for their hospital stay and the cart brings these items to the bedside quickly. Volunteers also deliver flowers and mail to patient rooms, provide assistance to guests at information desks, work in the Gift Shop, help restock supplies, and perform many more important services that enhance the overall comfort and experience of our patients.

The rewards of this program are also felt by those who give their time to provide it. When asked how volunteering at Virginia Mason has had an impact on their lives, a longtime volunteer says, "it reminds me that I am healthy and that I have a lot to be thankful for! I am glad I can do something to help others." 

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Virginia Mason, please visit our website: VirginiaMason.org/VolunteerServices.

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

Transforming Healthcare through the Power of Giving
Dick and Arlene Heath, who were San Francisco attorneys at the time, met while representing opposing parties in a divorce case. "When I got notice that they'd settled," Dick says, "I called Arlene and asked her out to dinner to celebrate." They married on November 3, 1961, eight months later.

Making a difference in the world.

Dick and Arlene Heath

In 1966, the Heaths decided to take a break from their careers. They followed their hearts to West Africa to serve in the Peace Corps, where Dick was named director and Arlene taught ESL to adults. "It was a fabulous experience," Arlene says of their time on the Ivory Coast and in Mali. "The people were absolutely marvelous.”

The couple moved to Arkansas five years later when Dick accepted the position of Director of Finance and Administration for the state and Arlene became a prosecuting attorney. California called them back, and Dick served as director of the San Francisco Airport while Arlene worked as house counsel for an insurance company. "She was such a great attorney," Dick says with pride, "the governor appointed her to the workers' compensation board.” 

After Arlene retired from practicing law and Dick retired from investment banking, they made their home in Seattle- eventually settling at Horizon House, a continuing care retirement community located a block from Virginia Mason. 

A gift of gratitude.

Not long ago, Dick began suffering from severe pains in his legs. Unable to walk to the hospital, "Virginia Mason came over with a wheelchair to pick him up," Arlene says. "We were so impressed. They cared for him so well."

We've been in hospitals all over the United States and the world," Dick says, who has been treated for both sinus cancer and colon cancer. "Virginia Mason is the best we've been involved with."

In gratitude for the care they've received, the Heaths made Virginia Mason part of their estate plan through a generous bequest. Their significant generosity and foresight will enable us to continue our commitment to our patients, providing the best care possible in the safest environment.

Arlene is supporting the hospital in another meaningful way by volunteering at the main information desk - in addition to her other community activities. She is passionate about history, and speaks French and Spanish fluently. She also speaks some German, Russian and Japanese. Dick, once an avid fisher, can often be found playing the piano or working out.

As for their future health care needs, "having Virginia Mason right across the street is wonderful," Arlene says. "They really treat you like a whole person."

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TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE:

New Critical Care Unit Opens in Jones Pavilion

The new Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Virginia Mason officially opened on September 7 on the 9th floor of the Floyd & Delores Jones Pavilion. The new space is not a typical hospital unit design. It is different because of the intentional focus on patient needs with a layout that also helps staff work more efficiently.

"The first thing you notice is how clean and bright the new unit is," says Shirley Sherman, director, CCU. "It just feels warm, caring and compassionate - exactly how it should feel!"

The new unit was designed by the people who would use it the most; patients and their families, nurses, physicians, technicians and support staff. They all provided feedback and ideas which were incorporated into the design, and the results were remarkable.

The single patient rooms are spacious and private. With wall-mounted televisions and all necessary equipment hookups and outlets at the head of the bed, the layout helps to make the space seem more inviting, and less like a hospital room. Chairs and convertible couches encourage families to stay and designated spaces allow families to meet or to talk with care teams privately.

This transformational type of health care - focusing on the comfort of both patients and their families - is what sets Virginia Mason apart and would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters. It is through philanthropic contributions that we can create the best experience for our patients, every time they come to Virginia Mason. 

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YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK:

Virginia Mason Nurses Earn Top Grades with Donor Support

On any given day at Virginia Mason, it is not uncommon to overhear in the hallway, "The nurses here are just the best!" from a patient or family member. We are proud to have earned that reputation and our nurses work hard to honor the trust given to us.

Virginia Mason has a tradition of nursing excellence dating back to the 1920s, when the hospital was home to a nursing school. Today, that legacy continues with professional development made possible in part by donor contributions.

This support allows Virginia Mason to offer nurses, as well as other medical professionals, a variety of sessions that teach new and refresher skills training and highly specialized courses, all at a reduced cost. Funding also makes it possible for expert guest speakers to be brought in, for staff to attend conferences, and for the creation of innovative teaching modules. 

Continued training and education for nurses is essential, as nurses who are continually building their knowledge are able to provide the best care possible, personalized to their patients' needs. Nurses are an invaluable part of the Virginia Mason care team, and skill building courses help ensure they have the knowledge they need to keep our patients safe and healthy.

The generosity of our donors helps make educational opportunities for our nurses possible and we are grateful for their support.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT VIRGINIA MASON:

Frank Shrontz

Frank Shrontz Named 2014 Meurk Award Recipient
Each year, the Virginia Mason Foundation honors one of our remarkable philanthropists with the Meurk Distinguished Service Award. On November 20, this year's Meurk Award was presented to Frank Shrontz at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in front of his friends, family and fellow past recipients.

The former Boeing CEO and his wife, Harriet, began their philanthropic support of Virginia Mason in 1985. In 2004, Frank joined the Virginia Mason Foundation Board, and served as a member of the Leadership Committee for the $100 million Transforming Healthcare Capital Campaign.

Virginia Mason Chairman and CEO, Gary Kaplan, MD, stated, "Frank has contributed generously of himself, his time and his resources, lending significant wisdom and guidance to our Foundation's work It is for these reasons that he has been selected as the 2014 recipient of the Meurk Distinguished Service Award.”

 

EVENTS:

Thank you to our Corporate Partners

Virginia Mason Foundation President Jeanne Jachim (left), Virginia Mason Health System Chairman and CEO Gary S. Kaplan, MD, Scott Holbrook, Vice President of Turner Construction, and Karin Huelsbeck, Director, Corporate Partnerships.

The Virginia Mason Foundation hosted its annual Corporate Partner Breakfast on October 2 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.

As this year’s featured partner, Scott Holbrook, vice president of Turner Construction, shared the importance of corporate philanthropy and why his company has chosen to partner with Virginia Mason. "Virginia Mason has and continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to both our local community and the health care industry at large," says Scott. "As corporate philanthropists and responsible citizens, we share Virginia Mason's commitment to improving the health and well-being of this community." Through their actions of supporting our mission as a Corporate Partner, raising additional support and awareness through their annual golf tournaments, providing in-kind construction management services, and actively partnering around the knowledge of lean, Turner Construction is making a lasting difference at Virginia Mason.

To learn more about our Corporate Partnerships, visit our website at VirginiaMasonFoundation.org.

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