FOCUSONGIVINGA Newsletter for the Greater Goshen Area

Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation, Inc.

June 2009

In this issue

Circle of Giving and Healing-One Couple’s Story

Projects Update

Foundation Impacts Children at Risk for Obesity

Planting Hope for the Future

Foundation Partners with Elkhart County Red Cross

Foundation Celebrates Five Graduates

Funds Needed for Charity Care

The Circle of Giving and Healing—One Couple’s Story

1138 Professional DrivePO Box 139

Goshen, IN 46527

574-535-2668www.goshenhealth.org

continued on the back page

Volume 2 Issue 2 They met during “New Student Week” at Earlham College where his roommate made a first impression by stealing one of the oars to the row boat Ann was in. Three more years of acquaintance found them dating and finally, after graduation, marrying in the Quaker Meeting House on campus in 1962.

Ann and Tony McNair moved through their life together and built strong ties to friends they met along the way. When the kids were older, Ann found her niche in tax preparation. It did not take one long to see that she was not a “typical” tax preparer. She knew the names of her clients’ children, parents and pets, and looked forward to tax season as a chance to catch up.

She saw her job as an opportunity to help people, especially those who were intimidated by tax prep. She worked hard for her clients and developed strong friendships with her co-workers. It is no surprise that it was her co-workers, four women she referred to as her “Premium Sisters”, who noticed her weight loss and growing fatigue and urged her to see a doctor. At the end of tax season, she made an appointment that would change her life.

The news was not good. Ann had melanoma.

They had seen Dr. Schwartzentruber of Goshen Center for Cancer Care interviewed on a health channel and made an appointment even though the trip to Goshen would be almost two hours.

After spending 2½ hours with Dr. Schwartzentruber, they were impressed with his mind for medicine and his caring attention. It was an easy decision to choose the Cancer Center for treatment. They felt the

In the fall of 2007 after Ann had been in treatment for over a year, she was well enough to undertake (cautiously) a pretty adventurous trip to the Black Hills, Badlands, and Yellowstone National Park, where this picture was taken in front of what is called The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Projects UpdateFoundation Impacts Children at Risk for ObesityHigh blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and cancer are not health problems we typically relate to children—yet more and more children are at risk of developing these problems due to their weight. Obesity in kids has reached epidemic levels.

A desire to help children at risk for obesity has motivated Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation to support a health and fitness program called “Way To Go Kids” at Goshen Health System.

Funds will help defray the cost of the program for families. Clinical Nutrition Manager and Program Director Sandy Morris says that cost has been a deterrent to many. “We are hoping this will open the doors

for us to help those who really need it.”

This eight-week program of fitness, nutrition and lifestyle changes addresses all obesity risk factors, including self-esteem, inactivity, attitudes toward food and exercise, and family issues. It also addresses issues such as snacking, eating away from home and fast foods.

The hands-on learning and support kids receive from instructors and each other keeps them motivated to stay with the program, and many participants see an improvement in their health. Morris feels positive about the impact this program can have on children. “It really is a great program for kids to have fun and learn about fitness. It is exciting for me to see that little spark in their eyes when they ‘get it’.”

Way To Go Kids Quick Facts8 week program for kids 8-14 •and their parentsTaught by a Registered Dietitian•Focus on food and •nutrition-active learningExercise for fitness and •fun-exercise and gamesKids in the kitchen •hands-on with recipesEmphasizes fitness and •nutrition over weight loss

This year the Foundation is pleased to be partnering with the Goshen Center for Cancer Care to honor 200 cancer survivors by planting a “survivor tree” for each of the 2009 5 year survivors. A “survivor” is defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.

“Since the inception of True Celebration five years ago, the Center for Cancer Care has planted a tree to represent each five-year survivor. This symbolic act allows us, as your caregivers and partners, to honor you and your journey. These trees, planted as young saplings, symbolize the fighting spirit found in each of you and the hope of many years of growing. They also represent our commitment to community and our desire for others now and in generations to come to be touched by all that our survivors have accomplished. This year we are deeply grateful to the Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation for partnering with the Center for Cancer Care with a generous donation to help offset the costs associated with the purchasing and planting of these trees.” – Joe Gagliardi, Senior VP & Executive Director, Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Planting Hope for the Future

A row of trees planted for the 2008 survivors lines the walking path along Plymouth Ave.

Dietitian Sherri Kramp discusses nutrition with a participant.

Correction: Center for Cancer Care Giving Circles Members Our apologies for an error in the Center for Cancer Care Giving Circles Members list that was included in our March newsletter. Mr. & Mrs. Edward Swartzendruber should have been listed as members of the Associates Circle.

In case of a disaster like the Nappanee tornado in 2007, would you know where to go to find help or shelter for your family?

Elkhart County Red Cross intends to establish several staging sites or “Mega Shelters” for disaster services, located strategically throughout Elkhart County, in an effort to ensure everyone’s safety in times of emergency. Shelters will vary in size but each community will have at least one location that will accommodate up to 200+ people with cots, food, personal hygiene kits and cleaning supplies.

In April, the Board of Directors of Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation agreed to fund the purchase of Disaster Kits and other

Foundation Partners with Elkhart County Red CrossWhat is a Mega Shelter?

Multi agency coordination and •management with a unified command system activated by government Large, non-conventional •sheltering facility-those generally used for public assemblyAccommodate clients • anytime there is a major event or one where housing is needed for several weeks

A row of trees planted for the 2008 survivors lines the walking path along Plymouth Ave.

Foundation Celebrates Five GraduatesWe are proud to report that due to the generosity of donors who contribute to the Schrock Nursing Education Fund, the Auxiliary Education Fund for Health Care Careers, and the Imaging Education Fund we have five new graduates to celebrate.

Wendy Gaudreau has been a GGH colleague for over eight years. Thanks to an Auxiliary Education Loan and a Radiology Education Scholarship, Wendy was able to earn her Associates in Allied Health-Radiography from Jackson Community College.

Robin Asire has been a GGH colleague for over 20 years. With the help of a Schrock Nursing Education Loan, Robin has completed her Associates of Nursing from Ivy Tech College.

Blake Luebbehusen is a GGH colleague in the Emergency Department. Thanks to the help of the Schrock Nursing Education Loan, he received his Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Goshen College.

Emily Carrington earned her Bachelor’s of Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University with the help of a Schrock Nursing Education Loan. Emily says the Schrock loan was a special blessing because it is an interest free loan.

Jon Whitmer, Emergency Preparedness and EMS Coordinator, at GGH decided to pursue his Bachelor’s

supplies (including cots, first aid kits, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene kits and food coolers) to be stored in each community so that they are ready when and where they will be needed.

Linda Nelson, Executive Director of the Elkhart County Red Cross believes that by arranging sites ahead of time and ramping up volunteer recruitment they will be prepared for a crisis. “The lesson that the Nappanee Tornado taught us was that we were ready to handle a disaster that size, but if the tornado had gone on to Goshen and Middlebury, as had been predicted, we would not have been able to respond to two or three communities at the same time.”

Partnering with the Elkhart County Red Cross in this way will ensure the health and safety of our communities in case of crisis.

Degree in Organizational Leadership from Goshen College with help from an Auxiliary Education loan. “Ethics and leadership are a big part of the teaching and also a big part of the work I do as a colleague” says Jon.

The Schrock Nursing Education Loan Program was established to encourage recipients to further their potential by pursuing a degree in nursing.

The Auxiliary Education Fund provides loans and scholarships to students pursuing a course of study in a wide variety of allied health areas other than nursing.

The Radiology Education Fund was established to help GGH colleagues who are enrolled in an accredited imaging program.

Jon Whitmar

For more information on giving a gift,please contact

Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation

574-535-2668

or make your donation on-line at

www.goshenhealth.org

Cycle of Giving continued

MissionThe mission of the Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation is to assist and support the programs and projects of Goshen General Hospital and the communities it serves. The Foundation provides a venue for individuals to effectively direct their resources to meet community health care needs in significant ways.

ValuesCollaboration—Working collaboratively with partners enhancing the community and increasing overall effectiveness.

Acts of Stewardship—Effectively managing, growing, and distributing well intended gifts.

Recognized for Integrity—Operating with integrity, ethics, and a values-based perspective.

Entrust—Building and preserving trust through predictable, values-driven behaviors.

VisionThe vision of the Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation is to be viewed as a foundation of excellence in the communities it serves.

quality of care at the Cancer Center was worth the drive. For the next 13 months, they made the two-hour journey together for every treatment. “I can sleep going back and forth to Goshen because the car has learned the way,” Tony says.

Ann faced her treatment with determination. “She began every treatment with, ‘What are we going to do to fight this devil?’” Tony recalls, “and ended every treat-ment with ‘I’m a very lucky lady.’ And she was, but she was also very, very brave. She never gave up.”

Ann Oakley McNair made friends everywhere she went, and her cancer treatment could not dim her caring spirit. Tony remembers, “The nurses told me they always planned to add an extra 10 minutes to their rounds on Ann’s treatment days because she always took time to ask about their families.”

Tony is grateful they choose the Center for Cancer Care. “Without the Cancer Center, we would have had six terrifying months together

instead of thirteen warm and memorable months. We lost the battle, but in some ways I feel we won the war. It was perhaps the best year Ann and I had together, and everyone at the Cancer Center played a big part in that.”

The giving continues. Over a year after Ann’s death, Tony is still healing. He wanted to do something to say “Thank you” to the caregivers at the Cancer Center. He started out by bringing snacks for the nurses. “Oddly enough, I still make those trips to Goshen every week or so,” Tony chuckles, “I needed to say thank you—not just say it, but do it.”

After becoming acquainted with Sandra Carbone, Coordinator for the Survivor Network at the Cancer Center, which allows survivors and their families to support one another, Tony became a volunteer.

In April, Tony took another important step in his healing process by making the first gift to the Link for Hope Fund to support the Survivor Network. “As I continue to work with the Network, it seems appropriate to make a gift to the Link for Hope Fund. It pleases me to make the initial gift to this fund. It would be flippant to say I discussed this with Ann, but I do know her mind well, and I know that if she were here, she would simply say ‘Send the money.’”

So in many ways—they are making this gift together.

Looking at McNair’s experience, you see a cyclical pattern of giving, receiving, healing, and giving again. They spent their lives giving to others and sharing life with those around them. When Ann became ill, she was able to receive the care offered at Goshen Center for Cancer

Funds Needed forCharity CareIn the past months, the economy and its effect on the local community has directly impacted the need for Charity Care at Goshen Health System. The demand for charity care for those without insurance has increased to the highest levels in recent history. We encourage you to consider a donation to help those in need of health care. Charity Care donations can be directed in general or to a specific area of medicine. If you need more information, please call us at 574-535-2668.

Care and, even though she was ill, showed kindness to her caregivers. Tony continues this cycle with treats for the nurses, his work with the Survivor Network, and by giving of his resources to strengthen the program so that others may receive its benefits. As this circle repeats itself, it is a reminder of the never-ending impact of a generous spirit.