Historic Hospital Grants
The following reflects our past support of programs at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
(now UCSF Health Hyde Hospital)
Since its founding, the Saint Francis Foundation has been an independent organization dedicated to improving health in San Francisco, supporting both Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and community‑based organizations serving those most in need. Over more than four decades, the Foundation directed over 83 million dollars to the hospital to improve patient care and access, helping deliver integrated medical care that promoted respect and dignity for patients and the communities the hospital served.
The information and stories on this page are preserved as part of our legacy, honoring the generosity of donors and the impact of hospital‑based programs that shaped our first 40 plus years.
Transforming Lives: Our History of Hospital Support
Bothin Burn Center
The Bothin Burn Center provides compassionate and life-saving treatment, rehabilitation and psychological support services to more than 400 seriously burned children and adults every year. The largest dedicated burn center in San Francisco and the only burn center in Northern California verified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Trauma Surgeons, the Center serves direct and referral patients from throughout the western U.S. The Center has its own fully equipped operating room, life-saving support and monitoring equipment, and ultrasonic hydrotherapy systems for optimal wound care.
Through the decades, the Foundation has provided millions in funding to this world‑class center of excellence – contributing to the expansion of the 16‑bed Intensive Care Unit, the purchase of advanced patient rehabilitation technologies, and training for skilled Burn Center nurses to meet increasing patient demand.
Gender Institute
Since its founding in 2016, the Saint Francis Foundation has helped support the Gender Institute through grants for surgical equipment, physician and staff training and education, and community‑based peer‑to‑peer navigation services for transgender and gender‑nonconforming patients and their families.
The world‑renowned Institute provides comprehensive care throughout the pre‑ and post‑operative process. Saint Francis Memorial Hospital is the world’s first hospital to receive accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Gender Confirmation Surgery by the globally recognized Surgical Review Corporation and is designated as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index.
Orthopedic& Sports Medicine Institute
Established in 1979, the Saint Francis Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute is the longest-running hospital-based athletic injury treatment program in the country. The multidisciplinary team includes Orthopedic Surgery, Primary Care Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Physiatry, and Dance Medicine surgeons and specialists who work collaboratively to deliver precise, customized patient treatment for maximum recovery.
Since its early years, the Foundation served as an integral partner to the Institute, supporting new surgical and rehabilitation equipment and advanced procedures, as well as staff training and education.
Emergency Medicine & the Gwendolyn Walsh Emergency Department
An expansion and refurbishment of the Gwendolyn Walsh Emergency Department – made possible through a Foundation gift of $11 million – nearly doubled capacity at the City’s second busiest emergency room and has enabled expanded expertise in heart, neurology, orthopedics and surgery services.
In addition, the Foundation worked closely with Emergency Department staff to identify and fund advancements in emergency patient care, including medical equipment, staff training, and community navigation services.
Acute Rehabilitation
Patients recovering from a significant injury, stroke or illness that alters loss of function can look to the comprehensive expertise provided by the dedicated rehabilitation team. The team excels in incorporating the latest technology and scientific innovations to help patients recover function after a crisis.
The Foundation has invested in innovative and state‑of‑the‑art technology used daily in the Acute Rehabilitation Unit, including the Flint MusicGlove, Neofect SmartGlove, and Neofect SmartBoard. The Foundation has also helped the highly trained staff obtain professional certifications and educational opportunities that advance this accredited program.
Spiritual & Palliative Care
Saint Francis Hospital provides spiritual care for all patients and their families regardless of faith or denomination. The palliative care team addresses symptom management, including pain or other stressful physical symptoms, as well as meets the psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
For many years, the Saint Francis Foundation supported the hospital’s spiritual and palliative care programs, including funding for new and expanded patient and family initiatives, staff education and training opportunities, and resources to help low‑income families navigate end‑of‑life options.
Staff Education & Appreciation
Providing the physicians, nurses, and staff of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital with access to education, training, and professional certification opportunities has helped care teams deliver the best possible patient care in every scenario.
The Foundation has enabled staff to attend world‑renowned conferences, such as the 2022 World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) symposium sharing global best practices in gender affirmation care. The Foundation has also funded an ongoing capacity‑building burn nurse specialization training program certified by the American Burn Association, and has supported several programs to recognize and thank tireless frontline workers serving patients and their families every day – including Moy’s Heroes scholarships, National Nurses Week recognition gifts, Schwartz Rounds, and other staff appreciation programs.
