Positivity in Action Bronson Health Foundation Impact Report
2014 marked another successful year of positive change and progress for the Bronson Health Foundation. Results are evident from our efforts to grow the Foundation as the fundraising arm of the Bronson Healthcare system. Thanks to your support, we raised nearly $1 million to invest back into Bronson programs and services and to enhance the environment of care for patients and families. It is with great appreciation that we present this report and share with our community and donors how Foundation funds were distributed in 2014. We are also pleased to introduce Giving Societies as a new way to recognize you, our generous and loyal donors. We are humbled by the gifts we’ve received from people throughout southwest Michigan, and are proud to steward those gifts in support of the Bronson Healthcare system and the essential services it provides. The Foundation looks forward to an exciting future as we work to meet the needs of the many patients and families who turn to Bronson for care.
The Bronson Health Foundation’s story is best told through the people we
The healing power of kindness is present in every gift. It is our privilege to pass it on.
reach: our donors, our patients and our
With our gratitude,
employees. Each and every one provides a window into the true impact of giving.
Terry Morrow Vice President of Development Bronson Healthcare Group Executive Director, Bronson Health Foundation
Michele Marquardt, Esq. Board Chairperson Bronson Health Foundation
A Journey of Hope Aly Schuck remembers the day her daughter’s childhood changed course. Four-year-old Nattaly had a suspicious lump in her neck that prompted doctors at Bronson Battle Creek to immediately send her to Bronson Children’s Hospital in Kalamazoo. Soon, the family received the life-altering news. Nattaly had cancer. For more than a year, Nattaly’s new routine included hospital stays and trips to the clinic. But, the scary journey was made easier thanks to the pediatric specialists, nurses and child life team members who provided physical and emotional comfort along the way. “They were so loving and caring and passionate. They were not just doing their jobs,” says Aly. “They wanted to be there, and Nattaly knew that.” In fact, instead of having anxiety and stress, Nattaly started looking forward to her visits. She earned a long string of beads from the hospital’s Journey Beads Program. Each bead represents a milestone in her cancer treatment. The colorful collection has become a keepsake that tells her story of strength, courage and hope. Today, Nattaly is no longer undergoing chemotherapy, but she still has frequent check-ups. The people and programs that touched her journey were made possible through the Children’s Hospital Fund of the Bronson Health Foundation. In fact, the specialized services Nattaly received have inspired her family members to become foundation donors and champions. They are now helping ensure other children will have the support they need as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of treatment.
From the Heart Bette Chavoya’s active lifestyle suddenly stopped when the aortic valve in her heart began to fail and she was rushed to Bronson Methodist Hospital’s Chest Pain Emergency Center. Her cardiologist referred her to the multi-disciplinary team at the Bronson Heart Valve Clinic. Doctors determined she was a good candidate for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), an innovative procedure that saved her life. Having such an advanced procedure as an option at Bronson was priceless to her family. “It means the world to me,” says Bette’s daughter Susan. “You are never ready to lose your mother. And she’s such a wonderful, strong woman. I’m just so grateful that she’s still here.” In 2014, a new Bronson Heart and Vascular Fund was established through the Bronson Health Foundation to foster support for additional advanced technologies like the one that saved Bette’s life. The fund also provides education for physicians, staff and the community. It allows for facility development and specialized models of care delivery. Thanks to an anonymous employee donor who made the initial gift establishing the fund, the Foundation was able to turn that generosity into enhancements that help save lives.
Step by Step Dr. Aaron Lane-Davies knows it takes time to not just build strength, but to sustain it. As the Medical Director at Bronson Children’s Hospital, he sees the importance of maintaining and growing an already strong team of pediatric sub-specialists. They are the doctors who care for children who need specific, often life-saving treatment. “At Bronson, our team is remarkably deep and broad,” says Lane-Davies, “but to keep that broad spectrum of care takes long-term vision and planning.” Last year, he had an idea to highlight the future needs of the Bronson Children’s Hospital by setting out on a long journey of his own. By hiking the Michigan stretch of the North Country Trail, he would raise awareness and funds, starting with his own donation, for pediatric subspecialties at Bronson. He decided to make the 1,100 mile hike from the Ohio/Michigan border and across the Upper Peninsula over four summers. Because of Lane-Davies’ vision and initial fundraising efforts, a Pediatric Specialists Endowment was launched in the Fall of 2014. He points out whether it’s a long hike or a goal to improve healthcare for children, it all has to start with the first step. “The endowment allows us the flexibility to grow and bring specialists to our community. Having those doctors right here in southwest Michigan makes a huge impact on the lives of children and their families.” Follow Dr. Lane-Davies’ journey on Instagram @bchnct1000.
Bronson Health Foundation Funds Bronson’s Greatest Needs
DiMarino Healing Through Culture Endowment
Bronson at Home Hospice Services Fund
Employee in Crisis Fund
Bronson Commons Fund
Heart and Vascular Fund
Bronson Battle Creek – Cancer Care Medication Fund
Margaret H. Varney Endowment
Bronson Battle Creek – Cancer Care Special Needs Fund
Margaret H. Varney Scholarship Endowment
Bronson Battle Creek – Cardiac Rehab Scholarship Fund
Mothers’ Milk Bank Fund
Bronson Battle Creek – Employee Crisis Fund
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Fund
Bronson Battle Creek – Little Angel Rest Fund
Pastoral Care Endowment
Bronson Battle Creek – Mammogram Fund
Patients in Need Fund
Bronson Battle Creek – Patients in Need Fund
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fund
Bronson Battle Creek – Pulmonary Rehab Equipment Fund
Pediatric Specialists Endowment
Bronson Battle Creek – Sexual Assault Services
Radiology Fund
Cancer Treatment Endowment
Robert S. Doud Arts in Healthcare Fund
Child Life Fund
Robert A. Fabi Neurosciences Fund
Children’s Burn Victim Fund
Starbuck Guardianship Endowment
Children’s Hospital Fund
Ben Claflin was 8 years old when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Now 13, he’s part of a Crohn’s and Colitis support group at Bronson Children’s Hospital. Having a pediatric gastroenterologist close to home means Ben gets to spend less time going to and from doctor’s appointments, and more time on his snowboard, riding his bike or rock climbing.
2014 Fundraising Total Amount raised
$968,000
Number of Gifts
Number of Donors
Good Neighbor Campaign New and returning donors generously supported our annual community appeal, increasing donations by more than 40% over the previous year.
Bronson Children’s Hospital 5k Walk & Run
7,400
1,700
Campaign Spotlights Little Help Big Difference Campaign Our first system-wide employee giving campaign brought out the generosity and caring spirit of Bronson’s workforce.
Participants
Total Raised
$112,000
Total Raised
$114,000
Total Raised
1,300 $97,000
Challenged by cancer and COPD, Clara Watkins knows it would be easy to give up. Instead, she’s determined to keep smiling and keep moving. She recently graduated from Bronson Battle Creek’s pulmonary rehab class, which significantly improved her ability to breath. Clara is thankful for the scholarship she received from the Bronson Health Foundation, which allows her to continue visiting the rehab center and working toward better health. “Everybody that donates deserves a medal,” says Clara. “The class has helped me want to live again.”
2014 Distributions Bronson Commons $115,000 Healing Arts $5,438
2014 Direct Impact Spotlights
Total: $558,000
Bronson Battle Creek Cancer Care Medication Fund Bronson’s Greatest Needs $160,652 Children’s Health $111,406
Women’s Health $7,215
303
Other $10,193
patients assisted
619
766
Employee in Crisis $26,373 Patients in Need $28,831
3,328
Neonatal Pediatrics/ Intensive Care Pediatric Intensive Unit (NICU) Care Unit (PICU)
Cancer Care $79,602
When Richard Thewis’ truck broke down, he worried he wouldn’t be able to make it to his chemotherapy appointments at Bronson Battle Creek Cancer Care Center. “I just didn’t have the money to pay for round trip taxi rides,” Richard says. When he learned he was eligible for transportation assistance through the Cancer Care Special Needs Fund, it was a big relief. “It was a lifesaver for me,” says the leukemia patient. “If there comes a time when I’m better off, I would like to give back because I know how it helps people who need it.”
43 142 96 75
prescriptions gas cards filled
Bronson Children’s Hospital Inpatients in 2014
Educational Scholarships $13,200
Cancer Care Special Needs Fund
round trip taxi rides
mobility transport trips
cases of dietary supplies
Children’s Hospital Fund
1,450 2,536 7,777 12,008
As a child life specialist, Cate Koopmans sees the anxiety and struggles that children face when they are sick and away from home. Cate says bright new murals, funded by the Bronson Health Foundation, help create a kid-friendly environment in the halls of Bronson Children’s Hospital. Newly purchased MRI goggles also help calm pediatric patients during procedures that are scary. “A lot of kids need to be sedated before they have an MRI. With the goggles, there is less need for sedation, because they are able to watch cartoons or movies to keep their brains busy and bodies still during the procedure.”
Interactions with a pediatric art therapist Interactions with a pediatric music therapist Interactions with child life specialists in surgery, emergency, and radiology Interactions with child life specialists in Peds/PICU
Healthy Kids, Healthy Community These days, Jerry and Sue Miller are helping their triplets choose what colleges they’ll attend. Seventeen years ago, the Millers were focused on their three children in a much different way. They were fighting for their survival. The Miller’s two daughters and one son were born more than two months early. They spent nine weeks in Bronson Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. That experience is one of the main reasons the Millers are dedicated donors to the Bronson Health Foundation and why Jerry Miller also served for a time on the Foundation’s board of directors. “We are very grateful to the hospital for saving our kids,” explains Jerry. He says having a children’s hospital in southwest Michigan is not only critical to children facing a health crisis, but it is also essential to the health of the overall community. In 2014, the Millers donated specifically to the Children’s Hospital Fund to help Bronson purchase two new ambulances designed for transporting infants and children. The Millers say they want to help other families see their kids grow up happy and healthy, so they, too, can celebrate each of life’s wonderful milestones along the way.
A Tribute from the Tees Dorothy Hughes’ husband, Gene, fought colon cancer for five years. He made frequent visits to the Battle Creek Cancer Care Center for treatment. About a year after Gene lost his battle, Dorothy started considering ways to pay tribute to Gene in the community. She decided to focus on two of Gene’s passions: golf and helping others. Along with her son Gene Hughes II and his family, Dorothy started a memorial golf outing in Gene’s honor. The event raises money for the Cancer Care Medication Fund, which helps those who are undergoing treatment pay for their medication. As a retired pharmacist from Bronson Battle Creek, Dorothy knows how expensive drug costs can be. “It is very difficult for people to afford their medications,” says Dorothy. In fact, she knows first-hand how the medication fund brings relief to patients when they learn help is available. “It would put a smile on their face when we told them there was a fund created just for you.” The Hughes family says when community members gather to play at the memorial golf outing, they can see Gene smiling upon them, knowing so many people are being helped in his name.
Giving Societies The Bronson Health Foundation launched Giving Societies in 2014 as a way to honor our generous donors. The giving societies currently live online at bronsonfoundation.com/donors. Please visit our website for a complete list of donors. Good Neighbor Annual Giving Society Friends: Donors who give any amount annually to support Bronson up to $999. Guardians: Donors who give between $1,000 – $4,999 annually to support Bronson. Champions: Donors who give between $5,000 – $9,999 annually to support Bronson. President’s Circle: Honors individual, corporate and foundation donors who have made cumulative gifts in a fiscal year of $10,000 or more. Donors in this group help fund specific capital projects and/or provide unrestricted funds to serve the greatest needs of the patients. Lifetime Giving Society The Lifetime Giving Society recognizes individual, corporate and foundation donors who have made cumulative gifts at the levels listed below. The Partners Society: Donors who have given between $100,000 – $249,999 to support Bronson. The Leaders Society: Donors who have given between $250,000 – $499,999 to support Bronson. The Founders Society: Donors who have given between $500,000 – $999,999 to support Bronson. The 1901 Society: Donors who have given $1,000,000 or more to support Bronson. Margaret Varney Legacy Society The Margaret Varney Legacy Society recognizes individual donors who provide a lasting legacy to advance the mission of Bronson Healthcare at any level. This includes bequests and life income gifts. Little Help, Big Difference Employee Giving Circle Employees who give to the annual employee giving campaign at any level are recognized in the Little Help, Big Difference Employee Giving Circle.
Board of Directors Michele Marquardt, Esq., Chairperson Founding Member, DeMent and Marquardt, P.L.C.
Corey La Gro Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Dennis DeHaan, Vice Chair Community Leader
Merri Moore, Esq. Community Leader
Michael Odar, Immediate Past Chair President, Greenleaf Trust
John Polzin Community Leader
Gary Kushner, Treasurer President and CEO, Kushner & Company
Frank J. Sardone President and CEO, Bronson Healthcare
Rick Chambers Owner and President, Rick Chambers & Associates
Kenneth L. Taft Executive Vice Present and COO, Bronson Healthcare
Kristine Gibson, MD Assistant Professor, WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Geoffrey A. Wardwell, MD Retired Physician, Kalamazoo Radiology P.C.
Carole Harroun Ritcey President, B. L. Harroun & Son, Inc. Ben Ipema Managing Director, Level Data Judy Jolliffe Community Leader Mahesh Karamchandani, MD Physician, Bronson Center for Colon & Rectal
Von Washington, Jr. Executive Director, The Kalamazoo Promise Joshua T. Weiner CEO, The Meyer C. Weiner Company Katharine Werme Hermsen Director of Agent Development, Jaqua Realtors, Inc. Rachel Worgess Community Leader
Staff Carmen Foljahn Development Coordinator, Bronson Battle Creek
Heather Oestrike Schripsema Major Gifts Officer
Theresa Hazard Executive Assistant
Sandy Pillars Database Coordinator
Christopher Moffat Major Gifts Officer
Liz Semaan Associate Director 
Terry Morrow Vice President of Development, Bronson Healthcare Executive Director, Bronson Health Foundation
About Bronson Health Foundation Established in 1983, Bronson Health Foundation was created as a means for the generosity and kindness of the community to connect with Bronson Healthcare and support its healing mission. The healing power of kindness is present in every gift. It is our privilege to pass it on. To learn more, visit bronsonfoundation.com or send an email to healthfoundation@bronsonhg.org.
Health Foundation 301 John St., Box C Kalamazoo, MI 49007-9988
300 North Ave. Battle Creek, MI 49017
bronsonfoundation.com
SP1130, 6/15
(269) 341-8100