GIVING HOPE Newsletter of Ascension Illinois Foundation (formerly AMITA Health Foundation)
Summer 2022
Ascension Mercy CEO Rich Roehr greets Mike Saltijeral at a tour of the new crisis stabilization unit.
Celebrating a successful year
AMITA Health Foundations raised $24.5 million to support ministries for Ascension Illinois and AdventHealth Great Lakes Region. We started work on a crisis stabilization unit at Ascension Mercy, held a successful gala — our first as Ascension Illinois — and completed two fundraising campaigns: • More than $5 million was raised to open Chicago’s first specialized inpatient eating disorder unit at Ascension Saint Joseph – Chicago. “Help is extremely important. Without it, I wouldn’t be here today,” one young woman said about the eating disorder program that saved her life — and that soon will be expanding to the city.
• M ore than $3.5 million was raised to provide private rooms in the emergency room at Ascension Saint Alexius for patients with behavioral health and chemical dependency needs. “This will allow them to have a private room in a quiet, peaceful environment with dedicated staff,” said John Sullivan, DO, medical director, emergency department, Ascension Saint Alexius.
Through our donors’ generosity, millions of dollars more will ensure access to compassionate, personalized healthcare, wraparound services, community-based mental health and housing services, and more for all in need in the communities we serve. Thank you!
IN THIS ISSUE
Events make an impact (p. 3)
Ascension Illinois Foundation
Message from Melanie Dear Friend,
We have many successes to celebrate from the past fiscal year, and your generosity made them possible. Congratulations, and thank you! You should be incredibly proud of the good you are doing in our communities. As we start a new fiscal year, our name has changed but the mission that grounds our Foundation community and calls us together to do this important work remains. Through it, we are supporting communities nearest to our hearts and serving people in them who are most in need. I am excited about the year ahead and eager to continue to work in partnership with you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. With gratitude,
Melanie Furlan Chief Philanthropy Officer
The people are our community Over the years as Judy went through cancer, heart attack, stroke and more, she always got care from our team at Ascension Saint Joseph – Joliet.
“In the height of all that cancer, I was getting care from friends. They were always going to take care of me.” — Judy, patient, Ascension Saint Joseph – Joliet, pictured here with her daughter Sue. 2
Scan the QR code below to read what kept her coming back.
Giving Hope | Summer 2022
Our passion for youth mental health Ascension Illinois Foundation Gala Committee members Steve Blye, Pam Seiser, Dane Hassani, MD, Susie Cassidy, Jeffrey Silver, MD, Paula Heneghan, Dina Morris, Mary Ann Miller and Jim Wienold at the Evening at The Field gala. Committee members not pictured: Mary Franco, Frank Schneider, Donald Versen, Michael Friman, Matthew Walsh and Dawn LeRoy.
Our gala raised nearly $1.25 million Led by Presenting Sponsor Superior Ambulance Service, more than 650 people raised nearly $1.25 million at our first gala as Ascension Illinois on Saturday, April 9. The event benefited behavioral health and substance use treatment programs at our hospitals.
Solutions, LLC and President, Kenny’s Kids. “We are here to support them and the people they serve.” Scan the QR code below to watch gala videos and hear from our healthcare workers and patients about the impact of our gifts.
“Healthcare workers have shown up, day in and day out, to take care of those who could not take care of themselves,” said Ascension Illinois Foundation Board Member Melissa Pontikes, Founder, Sage Strategic
Golf for a great cause
Ascension Illinois Foundation Board Co-Chair Ken Bauwens with Ascension Illinois Ministry Market Executive Keith Parrott at the North Suburban Golf Outing.
Golf season is underway! Thanks to all who joined for the North Suburban Golf Outing in June, which raised nearly $145,000 for our north suburban hospitals. Special thanks to Premier Sponsors BEAR Construction and Superior Ambulance Service.
When our school counselor, Chris McCarthy, first started working with one student early in the pandemic, they were struggling with severe depression and thoughts of suicide. Now — two years later — the student, who did not miss a day of school last year, has graduated with top grades. “They’re amazing,” McCarthy said. Every year, thanks to philanthropy and the leadership of the Fitzgerald Family Foundation, our school counselors help thousands of our local schools’ students, staff, educators and parents access mental health education, support and services. “The Fitzgerald Family Foundation has been a godsend to us,” said Karen Proctor, supervisor of our school mental health program. “I’m so thankful that they support us and that they see the importance of having counselors in the schools.” Scan the QR code below to read more about the Fitzgerald Family Foundation’s commitment and the impact their annual golf outing on Monday, August 1 has on students in our communities.
If you would like to join friends on the green while supporting our communities, scan the QR code to register today for an August, September or October outing. 3
1000 Remington Blvd., Suite 100 Bolingbrook, IL 60440
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“I’m just grateful to be able to make a difference in the lives of children in our communities.”
Ascension Illinois Foundation 1000 Remington Blvd., Suite 100 Bolingbrook, IL 60440
— Karen Fitzgerald, Inverness resident and member of the Ascension Illinois Northwest Region Foundation Board, pictured, second from right, with members of her family
224-273-4101 Foundation@AMITAhealth.org www.AMITAhealth.org/Giving
If you would like to remove your name from future fundraising communications from Ascension Illinois Foundation, please email Foundation@AMITAhealth.org, call 224-273-4101 or write: Ascension Illinois Foundation, 1000 Remington Blvd., Suite 100, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. AMITAhealth.org/Giving NEWSSUM2022