Winter Update: Parties, Tours, and other News…

Foundation Announces “Mini-Grant” Awards for Hospital Employees
The Saint Francis Foundation is committed to supporting and enhancing the ability of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital to deliver exceptional health care services and compassionate care to its patients and to the communities the hospital serves. In support of this mission, in late 2018, the Foundation initiated a mini-grant program to support projects initiated by Hospital staff. The Foundation is making available grants up to $2,500 primarily for improvements in staff and patient amenities.

Ambassadors Reception Highlights Physicians of SFMH Gender Institute
On October 24, the Saint Francis Foundation Ambassadors led by Chris Meza, Board Member, hosted an intimate reception at the Lumina, graciously arranged by Dr. David Klein, President and CEO of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Speakers included Dr. Jordan Deschamps-Braly of the SFMH Gender Institute who is a Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon, and Dr. Bauback Safa, Plastic Surgeon here at Saint Francis. Dr. Deschamps-Braly shared his experience as one of the world’s foremost leaders and innovators in facial gender confirmation surgery, while Dr. Bauback Safa enlightened the group on the fine details of hand, plastic, and reconstructive microsurgery as it pertains to transgender patients. Guests had the opportunity to win tickets to An Intimate Evening with Oscar, a 91st Academy Awards viewing party and benefit for the Foundation, presented by the Ambassadors on February 24, 2019 in the Fairmont Penthouse Suite.

Foundation Donors Offered Exclusive Tours of TLHIP Community Partners and the Bothin Burn Center
This fall, the Foundation staff offered donors two tour experiences: a walk through the Tenderloin neighborhood visiting TLHIP community partners, and a lunch followed by a tour of the Saint Francis Memorial Hospital’s Bothin Burn Center. The TLHIP tour kicked off at 826 Valencia where donors learned about their successful student podcasting program supported by the Saint Francis Associates, before visiting the sacred sleep program at The Gubbio Project at St. Boniface Church. The tour also stopped by St. Anthony’s dining room which feeds 2,400 people every day and Code Tenderloin’s workforce readiness program. The tour concluded at the Boys & Girls Clubhouse at Boedekker Park with a round table discussion about how TLHIP works with community partners to improve the health of Tenderloin residents.

On November 27, a group of dedicated donors to the Bothin Burn Center joined burn team staff to tour the distinguished facility. Led by burn specialist Dr. Richard Grossman and Burn Unit Director, Kibrom Tewolde, donors received an exclusive look into the state-of-the-art surgical suite, hydrotherapy bathing unit, patient rooms, and Nash Family Day Room. They learned firsthand about the very specific treatment burn patients require. Among the attendees were members of the Kiwanis Club of San Francisco—the chapter has given faithfully to the Bothin Burn Center and to the Hospital dating back to 1956.

Three New Members Join the Foundation Board of Directors
The Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of three new community members to the Board of Directors. Joanne Sun, MD is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department (ED) at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Since 2016, she has been an Urban Site Pilot Participant, through the California Health Care Foundation, to introduce medication-assisted treatment for opioid abuse disorder in the ED. Brandi Bentley Hudson has over 17 years of experience within the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. She is currently Western Area Vice President – Sales for Medtronic, Inc. Last but not least, Michele Hanson is a Senior Consultant at Hanover Search Group with over 20-years of experience in the banking and financial industries. Welcome new Board Members!

Invest in Your Community Hospital this Holiday Season
As a generous donor to the Foundation and a member of the community served by Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, we know you recognize the vital importance of having quality health care available close to home. Whether you need the Emergency Room, Critical Care Unit, Bothin Burn Center or Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute, you should find it reassuring that these exceptional services and more are available at Saint Francis. We’d like you to consider a year-end contribution which will be used to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment, ensure continuing education for physicians, nurses and staff, and upgrade patient amenities throughout the Hospital. By investing in Saint Francis, you will be ensuring the best possible care for all our future patients. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity, and for your commitment to outstanding health care for the community we all share.