Evening of Appreciation Highlights Foundation Giving

The Rideout Health Group Foundation gave out more than $310,000 to support its facilities and programs in fiscal year 2010/2011 and announced a $1 million gift to support the Emergency Department expansion to include a Level III Trauma Center and designated STEMI Receiving Center.

The foundation's work was highlighted at the annual “Evening of Appreciation” emceed by Foundation Vice President Carol Ramirez and FRHG Board Chair Darin Gale in October. More than two-hundred people attended the event, with welcoming comments from FRHG CEO Terri Hamilton.

Highlights of the Foundation's giving included:

• A gift of $167,000 to purchase Wireless EKG equipment for all Bi-County Ambulances. Bi-County contributed an equal share to ensure total coverage of the Yuba-Sutter area. This equipment allows patient data to be sent to the emergency department while the ambulance is en route, supporting Rideout’s new designation as a STEMI Receiving Center certified to handle even the most serious heart attacks.
• The Foundation funded the refurbishment of the Same Day Surgery Patient Room and sponsored the Emergency Department’s EMS Day and Disaster Drill at Rideout.
• New Veinlite LEDs were donated to the Pediatric unit to help with enhance intraveneous needs for pediatric patients.
• More than $3,000 went to The Fountains, which houses an extensive Physical Rehabilitation facility, for a putting green to compliment the Outside Mobility Course. A karaoke machine for the Activities Department and a new Activities Cart and Recreation supplies were also purchased.
• Proceeds from a previous endowment by Roy and Peggy Miller paid for another year of salary and benefits for the Quality of Life Attendant who serves residents at The Fountains.
• A $5,000 sound system was installed in the new wing of The Gardens, which houses the Alzheimer’s and Special Care Facility.
• A new Automatic Entry System for the Main Doors, refurbished furniture and other décor improvements were made in the lobby at The Courtyard.
• The Foundation provided Discretionary Financial Assistance to Rideout Hospice to assist Hospice patients, staff education, a Lights of Remembrance Memorial Event for Hospice families and transportation for 11 children who had lost a loved one to attend Camp HUG (Hospice Understands Grief).
• At the Rideout Cancer Center, $50,000 in Foundation funding paid for new lobby furnishings, staff education and Discretionary Fund financial assistance for cancer patients, including sponsoring the annual Cancer Survivor celebration.
• Numerous scholarships were given through the Foundation’s Financial Aid & Scholarship Program. They included six scholarships to area high school and college students ($6,000); three Dorothy Wisner Teen Leadership Scholarships ($6,000); two Janice Frank Nursing Leadership Scholarship Awards to Will Morrell-Stinson, RN, Rideout & Krista Minton, RN, Fremont; and Employee Educational Loans of more than $16,000.
• The Rideout Teen Leadership Council represents 36 high school students interested in medical and healthcare related careers through the support of the Foundation. The council raised more than $2000 with a newspaper recycling fundraiser sponsored by the Appeal-Democrat and Recology Yuba-Sutter
• The Foundation also supported the Vial of Life program, the Pink October employee fundraiser, the 8th Annual Bless Your Heart Walk & Health Fair and hosted the groundbreaking for the Cancer Center Expansion.