Forty-five years ago, courageous neighbors envisioned how philanthropy could ensure they, their loved ones and visitors to the area had access to healthcare. This brave group of bankers, local business owners, homemakers and doctors dreamed, planned, and organized. They formed the first Board of Directors comprised of:
Kathleen Bartlett
Geraldine Birkes
Thomas Brooks
S.A. John Carabba
Sylvia Carothers
Harold Eiesland
Scott Foss
Frank Hansen
Cherie Lindholm
William Long
Marvin Mackey
Mary Myser
George Outland
Scott Richards
Richard Sands
Marilyn Sandvik
William Stitt
Floyd Waller
C. Marvin Wilbur
Leona Worcester
Because of their vision and hard work, on March 6, 1978 the Island Health Foundation became a registered 501©(3) non-profit with the mission to raise funds for Island Health and its commitment to community health.
Now 45 years later, their aspirations have continued by using the generosity of donors to ensure quality healthcare remains close to home. Donors and the collective community have elevated and transformed Island Health throughout the years. Millions of dollars have now been donated in support of thousands of patients and dozens of programs at Island Health.
As the population Island Health serves has increased, so has the importance of their philanthropic support. Beginning as a small hospital, Island Health has grown into an award-winning healthcare system that provides a wide array of services, such as:
• Acute & Intensive Care
• Birth Center
• Cancer Care Center
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Diabetes Education
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Emergency Department
• Family Medicine
• Health Education
• Internal Medicine
• Laboratory (on-site)
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Pediatrics
• Physical & Occupational Therapy
• Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
• Respiratory Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Sports & Spine
• Surgery (Inpatient & Outpatient)
• Urology
• Volunteer Program
• Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine
Over the past 45 years, many of these services either began or have been sustained by philanthropy, including:
- An endowment that will provide long-term financial stability through a dependable, perpetual source of funding.
- Community Health programs, such as the award-winning Mental Health Intervention in the Schools Program (see back page), Chaplain Services, Health & Diabetes Education Classes, Health Resource Center, Health Screenings and Reach Out & Read Program.
- Financial assistance for oncology, cardiopulmonary rehab and mental health patients.
- Innovative technology and equipment upgrades for Acute Care Unit, Birth Center, Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Oncology, Primary Care Clinics and Surgical Services.
- Supporting the Area of Greatest Need so Island Health can meet urgent healthcare needs (like the COVID-19 pandemic) with unrestricted funds.
Throughout the Foundation’s 45 years, donors have transformed healthcare by their generous donations.