The IMPACT of PHILANTHROPY Stewardship Report 2014
In the increasingly complex world of healthcare, one characteristic that is critical for success is collaboration. We collaborate with our Rush-Copley team that understands the challenges that patients often face. We collaborate with other non-profit organizations that are focused on diseases and conditions that impact a person’s quality of life. We collaborate with those at the front lines of community healthcare to make life saving improvements in emergency response and access to specialized care. We collaborate with donors, both corporate and individual, who make gifts that help us provide support to patients in extraordinary and meaningful ways. We also collaborate with our physician partners who believe that higher educated nurses will lead to a healthier community.
Barry C. Finn
Alexander F. Pope
These collaborations, rooted in philanthropy, are essential to securing the resources necessary to facilitate change and impact the community we serve. This stewardship report, while not comprehensive and reflective of all of the donor driven work being done, provides just a few examples of what philanthropic collaborations are making possible today. For this, we are very grateful. Thank you, so very much, for your continued support. Warmest wishes,
Barry C. Finn President & CEO
Alexander F. Pope, CFRE Vice President/Chief Development Officer
The POWER of
COLLABORATION
PARTNERING with The Movement Disorders Program
DONORS
The Movement Disorders Program at Rush-Copley provides free education and support services to people with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders. To do this, the Movement Disorders program has developed valuable partnerships in the community. For example, The Light of the Heart, an Aurora-based non-profit group, provides art therapy for the program. Melissa Hedlund, art therapist and Executive Director, says she appreciates seeing how attendees have connected with one another in ways that may not have been possible without the safety and healing induced by the creative process of art making. “For many it is the first time they are processing the grief, anger, pain and loss of control that comes with a movement disorders diagnosis.” While the program received initial funding from a single benefactor, many grateful participants have also been moved to support the program. They feel it has given them so much that they couldn’t possibly do enough to reflect what it means to them. Making a regular contribution is their way of saying thank you for the “home” and connection they have found with the support group and exercise class.
Rush-Copley’s Movement Disorders Program offers free exercise classes that are designed to benefit those with Parkinson’s or other movement disorders to improve balance, posture, flexibility, range of motion coordination and gait. Attendees at all levels of fitness ability are welcome.
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PARTNERING with the March of Dimes Rush-Copley was proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2014 DuPage March of Dimes March for Babies. President and CEO Barry C. Finn served as Chairman. The March for Babies is the largest annual March of Dimes fundraiser held in DuPage and Kane Counties, raising money and awareness to help mothers complete full-term pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. The March of Dimes also funds significant research to solve problems associated with pre-term birth as well as support and comfort to families of pre-term children. At Rush-Copley, we share this commitment to helping mothers complete full-term pregnancies. Therefore, the hospital has implemented a hard-stop policy to eliminate early elective deliveries, unless medically necessary, to help ensure the health and safety of moms and babies. Vilma and Jose Barajas and their beautiful daughter, Jazlynne, represented Rush-Copley and the March of Dimes as the walk’s Ambassador Family. Jazlynne was born three months early and spent almost four months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Rush-Copley. Vilma says that the NICU nurses made her and Jose feel at home and kept them informed of all the progress Jazlynne was making. Just one week before the Walk for Babies, Jazlynne celebrated her first birthday! She's now a happy, healthy toddler, walking and working on her first set of teeth! More than 120 participants walked from Rush-Copley and the teams raised more than $23,000. The DuPage walk made the most gains out of any March for Babies event in the state in terms of fundraising growth — much of that due to Rush-Copley’s partnership. Rush-Copley has been a March for Babies partner since 2003 and since then has raised nearly $80,000. Barry Finn with the Barajas Family
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PARTNERING The Community Care Fund Rush-Copley serves each and every person who comes through its doors, regardless of their ability to pay. However, Rush-Copley employees have taken that compassionate commitment to service a step further. Two years ago the employees, through the Employee Giving Campaign, created a fund to support the community that would provide help for services like prescriptions, transportation assistance and simple home care equipment that enhance low-income participants’ ability to manage their health and avoid hospital readmission. In that time, this fund known as the Community Care Fund received more than $30,000 in contributions.
with Rush-Copley EMPLOYEES Nearly 130 individuals have been supported this past year alone. Recent examples of how donations to this fund are used include: • An ambulance ride and oxygen support for a cancer patient wanting to spend his last days at home. • A man laid off from his job received the medication he needed until he could get back on his feet. • After a homeless man fell and broke his arm and leg while on a construction job, the fund covered his stay at an assisted living facility for five weeks.
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I have worked at Rush-Copley for almost 10 years. I have been afforded so many opportunities for personal and professional growth, not to mention the vehicle to do meaningful work. I simply love my job! The best way to show my gratitude is to give back to my organization. I have chosen to take out a supplemental life insurance policy with the Foundation as the beneficiary. As one of my employee benefits, it is a highly affordable and very simple way to provide a significant donation in the future. —Anne T. Barrett Director, Risk Management
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Life insurance is not an asset most think of donating to Rush-Copley until they hear how powerful, practical and simple it can be. Whether it is redirecting the beneficiary of a current policy or creating a new policy, as Anne did, there are many advantages to this kind of deferred gift commitment. Anne has become one of the new members of Rush-Copley’s Legacy Society —a special group of friends who have arranged a planned gift to support the medical center or one of its many programs. Rush-Copley provides membership in the Legacy Society to recognize the extraordinary commitment of these individuals and to express appreciation for their thoughtful generosity. Making any type of planned gift benefitting Rush-Copley qualifies one for membership in the Legacy Society. Donors need not reveal the amount or give copies of the legal papers. The only requirement is to complete a membership form. And, of course one can always choose to join and remain anonymous. If you are interested in learning more about the Legacy Society, please contact Alex Pope, at (630) 978-4946 or alexander.pope@rushcopley.com.
Leaving a
LEGACY
PARTNERING with Rich Harvest Farms, the Rich Family & Sodexo Quality is based on service. The Rich family is honored to support Rush-Copley Medical Center—an organization that continues to provide patients with the ultimate medical care. —Jerry Rich Rich Harvest Farms
Sodexo is privileged to have the opportunity to partner with such an incredible organization — RushCopley. I have personally been associated with RushCopley for 15 years and it amazes me how this organization continually excels at just about everything. We are so fortunate to have this level of hospital and overall care in our community. It’s a privilege and honor to support an organization that truly makes an impact in people’s lives. —Tom Taylor District Manager Sodexo
Waterford Place The annual Rich Harvest Classic golf tournament took place in July at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove—the site of the 2009 Solheim Cup, and the 2016 International Crown. A beautiful and challenging venue, Rich Harvest Farms is recognized as one of the Top 50 courses in the nation. Hosted by Jerry Rich and the Rich Family, this event has raised a cumulative total of more than $2 million since it began 18 years ago! Rush-Copley has a very special friend in the Rich Family. Mr. Rich, in particular, has always had a respect for RushCopley’s commitment to service. In addition, the event receives strong support from community members and physicians, but particularly Rush-Copley’s corporate partners. Very special acknowledgement goes to Sodexo, a long time donor to Rush-Copley and the premier sponsor of the event, for many years. Proceeds from this year’s Rich Harvest Classic benefitted Rush-Copley’s forthcoming cancer support center, Waterford Place. Waterford Place will help unite participants, family members, caregivers and volunteers into a community centered on helping anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. It will provide additional psychosocial support services not currently available in southern Kane and Kendall counties.
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Partnering with EMS PROVIDERS
Pictured left to right, Carmen Kaufman, Jack Taxis, Mike Donato, Kevin Leverence, Santosh Gill, MD, Dana Balicki, Chris Hwang, MD
EMS Education and Recognition Program Over the past year, Rush-Copley has been honoring local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for exceptional cardiac care with the hospital’s “Cardiac Run of the Quarter” and “Cardiac Run of the Year” awards. Rush-Copley’s Emergency Department and Heart and Vascular Institute review cardiac cases that are brought to the Emergency Department by an EMS provider. Each quarter, one case is chosen to recognize the EMS personnel who have delivered exceptional cardiac care. Each recipient is recognized with a brief ceremony at their fire house, a certificate and a catered breakfast. Medics Kevin Leverence and Mike Donato of Aurora Medic 8 were recently selected from the quarterly honorees and given the Cardiac Run of the Year Award for their transport and exceptional care of a 49-year-old female patient on Christmas Eve. They were recognized with a catered dinner and individual plaques, as well as a listing on a plaque in Rush-Copley’s Emergency Department. The EMS Education and Recognition Program also offers biannual cardiac education to local EMS providers. A Rush-Copley cardiologist provides 90 minutes of education, reviews EKGs and works through case presentations during each session. The sessions occur on three consecutive days allowing each EMS provider the opportunity to attend.
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Rush-Copley’s training and recognition of excellent cardiac care boosts the morale of our EMS teams, and contributes to closer partnerships with the hospital. —Clete Rettenmeier EMS Chief Aurora Fire Department
Fox Valley Heart Fund and Aurora Community Heart Clinic Dr. Santosh Gill, a Rush-Copley cardiology physician and visionary leader in the prevention and awareness of heart disease in women, founded the Fox Valley Heart Fund in 2004 to promote cardiovascular health in the community while reducing gender and economic disparity. Supported entirely by philanthropy, the Fund is directed by a steering committee of volunteers. Ongoing initiatives include a cardiovascular specialty clinic for poor and uninsured patients, a support group for female heart disease survivors (Heart Sisters), an AED Donation Program, nursing scholarships and an Annual Women’s Heart Symposium. The specialty clinic, called Aurora Community Heart Clinic, is operated in partnership with VNA Health Care. The clinic opened in 2010 at VNA’s main location on Highland Avenue in Aurora. Staffed by two nurse practitioners under Dr. Gill’s supervision, it has provided access to specialized cardiac care to more than 1,000 uninsured and public aid patients since its inception. The Fox Valley Heart Fund and VNA Health Care share the operating costs of the clinic by raising philanthropic support.
PARTNERING with
By teaming up with Rush-Copley, we’ve been able to provide invaluable cardiac care and education to patients who simply have no affordable alternative in our area— enabling them to lead healthier lives and lower their health care costs significantly over the long term. — Linnea Windel Chief Executive Officer VNA Health Care
Dr. SANTOSH GILL and VNA HEALTH CARE
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Rush-Copley sponsors an annual benefit for the Fox Valley Heart Fund called “Rock the Heart” at Ballydoyle’s Irish Pub in Aurora. Local bands, raffles, free appetizers and a festive atmosphere draw crowds of supporters each year. In 2014, more than $50,000 was raised.
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Cheryl Pontanini has a big heart for taking care of others. She cares for three grandchildren as well as her mother and brother along with a feline friend or two. While she was busy caring for everyone else, her own health started taking a dangerous turn. “I was having chest pain, but didn’t go to the ER and was certain I would not be able to find a specialist that I could afford,” Cheryl says. Her referral to the Aurora Community Heart Clinic came just in time. Angela Ross, NP, did her exam and sent her to Rush-Copley Medical Center for a stress test, which determined blockage in three areas. Angela was able to coordinate with a primary care doctor at VNA to get new blood pressure medicine for Cheryl, holding a heart attack at bay until she could have an angiogram. Cheryl was able to receive Medicaid in time for her angiogram and is relieved that she will be covered for the treatment she needs.
A PATIENT’S Story
Cheryl and patients like her are provided free care through the Aurora Community Heart Clinic. Proceeds from Rock the Heart help make it possible.
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PARTNERING with
Rush-Copley Medical Staff
The Future of Nursing Scholarship Program A generous $25,000 donation from Rush-Copley’s Medical Staff launched the Future of Nursing Scholarship Program to help nursing staff advance their education. The annual, merit-based scholarship awards will supplement the tuition reimbursement that Rush-Copley offers to all employees. Created and funded entirely by philanthropy, this program provides a vital resource to support a profession that represents the largest percentage of the hospital’s clinical staff — more than 700 nurses. There has been a concerted push recently, both nationwide and locally, to increase the percentage of baccalaureateprepared nurses in the workforce in an effort to improve patient safety and address a growing shortage of nurses. In fact, today’s changing healthcare environment creates growing demand for complex clinical knowledge and skill proficiency. As part of Rush-Copley’s commitment to providing extraordinary care to patients, non-BSN nurses hired after August 1, 2014 are now required to obtain a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree within five years.
The Rush-Copley Medical Staff felt strongly that supporting our nurses to strive for higher education is a core part of our culture. In that spirit the Medical Staff donated $25,000 to the Future of Nursing Scholarship Program ensuring that our nurses will have the best chance to succeed in their educational endeavors. —Alice Daniele, MD Chief of Staff, Rush-Copley Medical Center 12
The inaugural group of 19 scholarship recipients represents a select group of nursing students who are passionate about improving their nursing skills and the health and well-being of their patients.
At the event dubbed, “Night-n-Gala� at Emerson Creek Pottery and Tea Room in Oswego, guests enjoyed the shabby-chic setting while dancing and enjoying an outdoor atmosphere overlooking scenic farmland. Proceeds from the event helped to seed a new endowment fund that will support the scholarship program in perpetuity.
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Fiscal Year 2014 Outcomes Giving by Donor Type
Giving by Beneficiary Category
Giving by Beneficiary Type TYPE Cancer Care Surgical Services Women's Services Nursing Services Unrestricted Promise Fund Heart Programs Mission/Vision Fund Community/Charity Care Neurosciences Other Emergency
AMOUNT $505,012 $350,810 $229,905 $185,747 $108,484 $71,460 $51,459 $44,437 $27,741 $16,473 $12,339 $8,915
NUMBER of DONORS 99 14 39 127 37 183 226 303 87 41 6 9
$1,612,782 There were 893 distinct donors in FY2014. A number of donors chose to contribute to more than one beneficiary over the course of the year.
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The IMPACT of
COLLABORATION
On behalf of Rush-Copley Foundation and RushCopley Medical Center, thank you for your support. In fiscal year 2014 (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014) the Foundation raised more than $1.6 million on behalf of Rush-Copley. It exists to specifically support the priorities of the hospital and the needs of the community by fostering the roles of philanthropy and service.
The Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization and gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible. For more information, please visit rushcopley.com/giving.
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