The best year of fundraising since 2009 by the PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation is paying off in several areas, including new centers for specialized care.
The nonprofit foundation reported receiving nearly $6.1 million in donations for fiscal year 2016, which ended on June 30.
“Our goal this year was $5 million, and we exceeded that,” said Dawn Johnston, major gift officer.
Two new centers opened during the fiscal year that address specific medical issues.
The Thomas and Sandra Young Neurosciences Center focuses on people being treated for neurological problems such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors or spinal tumors. It opened in November.
Betty Shrum has spent more than two weeks at the neurosciences center in the Firstenburg Patient Tower after taking a fall this month. Her problem turned out to be a brain tumor, and she underwent surgery on July 11.
While it’s been an up-and-down couple of weeks, “I have joy in my heart today,” the Vancouver woman said Friday morning as Bill, her husband of 65 years, sat nearby.
The Ron and Terry Prill Cardiac Care Center is described as a state-of-the-art unit for patients with serious heart disease. It played a couple of different roles before opening about a year ago.
“It had been a pediatric unit,” said Karla Theer, nurse manager of the cardiology medical unit.
Between its health-care assignments, the site served as a location for a made-in-Portland TV show. “They filmed ‘Portlandia’ here,” Theer said.
The cardiac center includes a new treatment option for atrial fibrillation. A device called a Watchman implant is an alternative to blood thinners to reduce stroke risk. PeaceHealth officials said it was the first site to use the device between Sacramento, Calif., and Seattle.
While new technology figures to improve patient care, Betty Shrum made sure to put in a plug for the neurological-care staff.
“I’ve met some delightful people,” Shrum said.
Johnston, the foundation official, said that 2016’s successful fundraising effort reflects a national trend.
“Fundraising is increasing, very incrementally. We’ve had probably the best year since we completed our capital campaign to build the Firstenburg Patient Tower in 2009. That was great timing, because then the economy tanked. In fiscal year 2010, we raised $1.5 million.”
The 2016 total also included an endowed education fund for neuroscience education, named for Dr. Jay Miller.
Other money raised in 2016 will help expand palliative care services; renovate the Bereavement Center; expand and renovate the Ray Hickey House kitchen; and develop a program to help patients who can’t afford to pay for life-saving drugs after leaving the hospital.
