Mercy Foundation of Lorain County awards $2.3 million in support of the Mercy Health System in 2017
The Mercy Foundation of Lorain County awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to the Mercy Health System for the 2017 fiscal year. Grants made to the health system are vital to supporting the programs and services that many residents of Lorain County depend on; these grants would not be possible without the generosity of individual and corporate donors, the health system’s auxiliaries and other local foundations.
A portion of these gifts were generated by the foundation’s two marquee fundraisers, Taste of Friendship and the Mercy Golf Classic outing. The foundation also relies on the generous engagement of Mercy employees, patients, community organizations and outside grants. Additionally, the foundation receives memorial gifts from the families and friends of loved ones served through Mercy New Life Hospice.
“We are grateful to every individual and organization that has supported the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County over the last year,” says Scott Pember, president of the foundation. “Our total dollars raised in 2016 reflect a significant increase from previous years- which is why we are able to sustain such substantial grant awards. Each and every dollar donated helps us to improve the health of the very community in which we live and work.”
Continues Pember, “Looking ahead to 2017, the foundation is set to unveil two high-impact projects which have been made possible by some truly transformative donors. These entities have chosen to partner with Mercy in a significant, lasting way by securing the naming rights on two very exciting new projects. Truly, as we reflect on 2016 and our hopes for the year to come, we have much to be grateful for.”
The foundation receives requests for funding from numerous sources, including physicians, staff, clinical departments and individual program managers. Because there are always more requests than available funds, decisions are guided by how the request will support the Mercy mission and provide a margin of excellence that would otherwise not be possible. Funds are awarded in a variety of categories – to purchase new medical equipment, to provide cutting-edge educational opportunities to physicians and staff and to make Mercy’s high quality healthcare accessible to every member of the greater Lorain community.
Highlights of the services and programs the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County is proud to fund for the 2017 calendar year include:
Community Outreach $803,870
Mercy’s community outreach efforts include a number of services designed to assist individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to healthcare. Outreach initiatives include: the Resource Mothers Program, Spanish Interpretation Services and the Parish Nursing Program. These programs highlight the health system’s mission of inclusive care in a very tangible, meaningful way and are invaluable to those who depend on them.
Titan Wellness Program $250,000
In August of 2016, Mercy and the Lorain City Schools created the Titan Wellness initiative to bring pediatric nurse practitioners directly into the schools, in a clinic-like setting. These advance practice nurses are a critical enhancement to the existing school nurse program, as they are able to provide routine vaccinations and write prescriptions for common childhood ailments such as ear infections and strep throat. Bringing this high-level care directly to the students reduces absences, improves educational outcomes and ensures some of the most vulnerable members of our community have access to basic, preventative healthcare that they may not otherwise receive.
Mercy Cancer Center $195,000
Award dollars are used to provide the holistic services of the Center for Body, Mind & Spirit to those touched by cancer entirely free of charge. Services include creative healing workshops, support groups and education sessions. The center also connects clients with individual support services, such as social work, supportive counseling, hospice and palliative care information, comfort touch, lymphedema therapy consultation, labyrinth exploration, legal consultation and meditation.
“These are just a few examples of the ways in which our donors’ philanthropic dollars are kept in the community and utilized to directly impact patient care,” says Pember. “Thanks to the generosity of the foundation’s donors and supporters, thousands of lives will be touched through these diverse programs and services.”
If you would like to join Mercy in its efforts, please consider a donation to the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County. Visit https://foundation.mercy.com/lorain for more information about making a gift, sponsoring a fundraiser, volunteering your time or donating raffle prizes to be auctioned off at a special event.
For more information, please call the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County at (440) 960-3545.
A portion of these gifts were generated by the foundation’s two marquee fundraisers, Taste of Friendship and the Mercy Golf Classic outing. The foundation also relies on the generous engagement of Mercy employees, patients, community organizations and outside grants. Additionally, the foundation receives memorial gifts from the families and friends of loved ones served through Mercy New Life Hospice.
“We are grateful to every individual and organization that has supported the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County over the last year,” says Scott Pember, president of the foundation. “Our total dollars raised in 2016 reflect a significant increase from previous years- which is why we are able to sustain such substantial grant awards. Each and every dollar donated helps us to improve the health of the very community in which we live and work.”
Continues Pember, “Looking ahead to 2017, the foundation is set to unveil two high-impact projects which have been made possible by some truly transformative donors. These entities have chosen to partner with Mercy in a significant, lasting way by securing the naming rights on two very exciting new projects. Truly, as we reflect on 2016 and our hopes for the year to come, we have much to be grateful for.”
The foundation receives requests for funding from numerous sources, including physicians, staff, clinical departments and individual program managers. Because there are always more requests than available funds, decisions are guided by how the request will support the Mercy mission and provide a margin of excellence that would otherwise not be possible. Funds are awarded in a variety of categories – to purchase new medical equipment, to provide cutting-edge educational opportunities to physicians and staff and to make Mercy’s high quality healthcare accessible to every member of the greater Lorain community.
Highlights of the services and programs the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County is proud to fund for the 2017 calendar year include:
Community Outreach $803,870
Mercy’s community outreach efforts include a number of services designed to assist individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to healthcare. Outreach initiatives include: the Resource Mothers Program, Spanish Interpretation Services and the Parish Nursing Program. These programs highlight the health system’s mission of inclusive care in a very tangible, meaningful way and are invaluable to those who depend on them.
Titan Wellness Program $250,000
In August of 2016, Mercy and the Lorain City Schools created the Titan Wellness initiative to bring pediatric nurse practitioners directly into the schools, in a clinic-like setting. These advance practice nurses are a critical enhancement to the existing school nurse program, as they are able to provide routine vaccinations and write prescriptions for common childhood ailments such as ear infections and strep throat. Bringing this high-level care directly to the students reduces absences, improves educational outcomes and ensures some of the most vulnerable members of our community have access to basic, preventative healthcare that they may not otherwise receive.
Mercy Cancer Center $195,000
Award dollars are used to provide the holistic services of the Center for Body, Mind & Spirit to those touched by cancer entirely free of charge. Services include creative healing workshops, support groups and education sessions. The center also connects clients with individual support services, such as social work, supportive counseling, hospice and palliative care information, comfort touch, lymphedema therapy consultation, labyrinth exploration, legal consultation and meditation.
“These are just a few examples of the ways in which our donors’ philanthropic dollars are kept in the community and utilized to directly impact patient care,” says Pember. “Thanks to the generosity of the foundation’s donors and supporters, thousands of lives will be touched through these diverse programs and services.”
If you would like to join Mercy in its efforts, please consider a donation to the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County. Visit https://foundation.mercy.com/lorain for more information about making a gift, sponsoring a fundraiser, volunteering your time or donating raffle prizes to be auctioned off at a special event.
For more information, please call the Mercy Foundation of Lorain County at (440) 960-3545.