Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation Funding Priorities
Our community of donors — thousands of individuals, corporations and foundations — funds leading-edge research and technology and also helps us serve patients in financial need. Your gifts contribute to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center’s excellence. Although the following funding priorities have sizable goals, please remember that all donations, large and small, make a difference. Your gift demonstrates your belief in our work.
For more information on these needs, please contact Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation by e-mail or call 503-216-2227.
Charity Care Ongoing, growing need for support
The economy is struggling and unemployment is rising. Health care is not an “extra” that people can do without. Providence St. Vincent Medical Center has seen a 30 percent increase in charity care since January 2009. Yet especially during times such as these, we are committed to our 153-year-old Mission of serving the poor and vulnerable of our community.
Center for Health Care Ethics Annual support of $500,000
Internationally recognized, the Ethics Center promotes the fields of clinical ethics and palliative care through innovative research and through development of exemplary learning practices. Special areas of focus are clinical ethics consultation, palliative care education and cross-cultural competencies at the end of life. The Ethics Center team’s work has earned it the honor of hosting an international ethics conference in Portland in 2010. Growing success has led the team to be called upon more and more for support, which has increased the need for staffing, services and foundation funding.
My Little Waiting Room — Drop-in Day Care $92,000 needed to reach $100,000 goal
For many parents, a lack of child care is a major obstacle to seeking and receiving timely and professional medical attention. Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is looking to lead the way in addressing this problem. Two dedicated community volunteers, motivated by one of their own journeys in treatment for breast cancer, want to relieve this burden for others. The center will enable more patients to make and keep their appointments, and so it will offer greater continuity of care and fewer treatment disruptions. We hope is this pilot site will serve as a model for similar centers at other medical facilities.
Breast Health Care Registry $77,000 needed to reach $250,000 goal
The Ruth J. Spear Breast Center seeks to set a national standard in women’s care by developing a comprehensive information database: the Breast Health Care Registry. When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she may see many care providers — a surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, physical therapist, integrative medicine provider, counselor and more. The Breast Health Care Registry will coordinate this information, setting the course for care and follow-up among the shared providers. Not only will this improve the patient’s experience, but the data can be analyzed to provide better care and more hope for breast cancer patients.
Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI) $1 million needed to reach $5 million goal
Our newest center of excellence, Providence Brain Institute, provides comprehensive care for patients with neurological conditions. Key to our success is using advanced technology to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. This technology includes the intraoperative MRI, a state-of-the-art imaging system that can be used during surgery. Providence St. Vincent will become an exclusive site for doctors from throughout the Northwest to learn about this technology.
Atrial Fibrillation Clinic and Electrophysiology Treatment Expansion $3.2 million needed to reach $3.8 million goal
To remain an international leader in cardiovascular care, we are expanding Providence Heart and Vascular Institute — specifically the Center for the Advanced Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. This expansion, which includes an additional electrophysiology laboratory, will better support our multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing, treating and educating patients with arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).
Providence Brain Institute $200,000 goal for 2009
Providence Brain Institute seeks to expand its research presence with key projects funded by individual support. Research is critical to identifying reasons for the high incidence deaths of stroke deaths in Oregon and to discovering new and more effective drug and interventional therapies. In addition, Michael Mega, M.D., Ph.D., seeks support for further research to determine a valid and reliable method to identify persons who may be at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s. It is urgent to identify possible methods; it is believed that drugs will soon be available that slow the rate of decline in Alzheimer’s disease if the diagnosis is made early.
Multiple Sclerosis Center – Providence Brain Institute $100,000 needed to reach 2009 goal
The Providence Multiple Sclerosis Center is developing the Pacific Northwest MS Registry and Network, which will accurately estimate the number and geographic distribution of MS patients in the Northwest and collect new data to help with innovative MS research. The MS network aims to provide all patients in the region, no matter where they live, with the best possible neurological therapeutic expertise, diagnostic technology, treatment protocols and educational services.
Oregon Medical Laser Center $900,000 goal for 2009
The Oregon Medical Laser Center is a biomedical laser research facility located on the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center campus. Philanthropic support allows researchers to continue their innovative, collaborative and multidisciplinary work. Current and planned research includes the optical beacon lumpectomy to offer better outcomes for breast cancer patients; innovative burn therapy; regenerative nerve research, and pancreatic cancer treatments.
