Page 7 - St. John's Healthcare Foundation FY17 Annual Report

A Message from the Sisters of Mercy Inspiration from Our Board Chair

Dear Partners and Friends:

In our daily lives, most of us are focused on the many tasks that are important Opera, tango dancing, Spanish Guitar, and a live auction lent a festive air to Reflections on human connections
We are honored to continue the Sisters of Mercy mission, that began in 1912, pap smears, social services referrals and bags of food for the underserved in
with the opening of the first hospital in Oxnard for “every man, woman and our community, at the annual medical camp. in our job and family roles, sometimes not taking the time to look back at the the evening. A most poignant moment featured the presentation of the 2017
child.” Every day, it is our privilege to be here for you from birth to end of life, • The healing of body, mind and spirit in an environment of quality and progress we have made. That is why I welcome our annual report, which allows Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime community leaders
supporting recovery with expert surgical and medical care, easing pain and compassionate care that you helped create through your partnership. us to review the previous year’s work of transforming your investment in and dedicated philanthropists, Tom and Barbara Laubacher and Dr. Henry
grief, and helping provide vital free or low-cost services to underprivileged St. John’s Hospitals into well-designed facilities and state-of-the-art technology, and Emma Montes. This award not only honors most worthy members of our
residents. But we do not act alone. We live our mission side-by-side with For these and the many other ways you contributed to improving the health award winning medical care, and relevant services to the vulnerable in our community, but highlights the longstanding commitment of the Sisters of Mercy,
you, people who care about others and show it through acts of mercy and and wellness of others, we are truly grateful and count it a privilege to have community. In this report we highlight the areas where you, as a donor or Sister Suzanne Krawczyk and Sister Suzanne Soppe, to our hospital and our
Reflections on human connections
humankindness every day – acts that have reached within and outside the walls collaborated with you, our community of mercy. volunteer, are making this significant impact. We will also share heartfelt mission. It was truly a night to remember and raised over $400,000 towards
of the St. John’s Hospitals to offer a human touch to others. As we introduce stories of those who have benefited from your compassion and commitment. the Circle of Dignity Campaign, in support of vital projects for our hospitals.
the St. John’s Healthcare Foundation’s 2016/2017 Annual Report, we share This human connection is the hallmark of our story, from its very beginning
some of these important examples of humankindness in action. Blessings, with Father John Laubacher, the Sisters of Mercy, and a growing agricultural Responsible stewardship also means that we integrate environmental
Sisters of Mercy Sponsors for St. John’s Hospitals and business community, and continues today through the inspiration of our sustainability into our vision and mission. Last year, St. John’s Hospitals were
We are proud to share . . . leadership, the caring compassion of our doctors and nurses, the dedication of nationally recognized for our work, with the 2017 Greenhealth Partner for
• Development and construction of a new, state-of-the-art, green-efficient, our staff, the empathy of our volunteers and the engagement of our community. Change Award, which honors environmental achievements in the healthcare
new patient addition at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo; the sector. St. John’s Healthcare Foundation proudly supported these green efforts
design of modernized Labor/Delivery and Neonatal units, and planning and Sister Suzanne Krawczyk, RSM, RN Sister Suzanne Soppe, RSM, MPH You make our work possible. Your generosity has made a profound difference in through the purchase of energy efficient medical equipment.
fundraising for the expansion of an overcrowded Emergency Room (ER) at Director of Palliative Care Community Health Education Mission/Ecology the way we provide medical resources to our growing community. The impact is As you can see, it has been a busy year. Through it all, I have been privileged
St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. first realized through the 148,476 patients served in our two hospitals during the to work with you in this mission to
• Volunteer Ambassadors in the emergency room provide a welcoming past twelve months. In addition to caring for our patients, loyal supporters have promote human connections,
presence and compassion; and therapy dogs with their owners bring a inspired our Foundation to step up and lead in the patronage of a myriad of hospital humankindness and quality healthcare in
moment of comfort to long-term patients in our rehab units. resources, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cancer Center, Palliative Care our community. I am so very grateful for
• A young man, a patient at St. John’s Hospitals’ Sub-Acute Unit, using his Services, Cardiac Rehab, Sub Acute, Cardio Vascular Services, and new technology your generosity.
computer voice and network to run a campaign to collect canned goods for and equipment, such as a Vital Sign Machine, Radio Frequency Generator, and 3
the poor, as he wants to give back in gratitude for the care he has received Tesla MRI. As our community continues to grow, many of you have joined us in
at St. John’s. the bold vision to expand and modernize St. John’s Hospitals through the Circle of With sincere appreciation,
• A homeless person picks up a hot meal at the food pantry, while a young Dignity Campaign. These programs include the New Patient Addition at St. John’s
mother received bags of fresh vegetables and protein for her children, all Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, and the expansion and modernization of the
made possible by your donations and investment in the St. John’s Food Pantry. Labor/Delivery and Neonatal Units and Emergency Room at St. John’s Regional
• Many hands bringing healing and hope to cancer patients through medical Medical Center in Oxnard. Billie Jo Rodriguez
treatment and support groups. Over 100 healthcare volunteers provided free Board Chair,
St. John’s Healthcare Foundation
health screenings, eye exams and new eyeglasses, free mammograms and I was honored to meet so many of you at our signature fundraising event,
Adventure 2017, An Evening in Buenos Aires, where we dined on delicious
6 farm-to-table delicacies after casting bids for our favorite silent auction items. 7