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Franciscan Foundation 

Description

Franciscan Health System (FHS) is a values-based organization with a 120-year history of providing trusted care and community service.  FHS includes St. Francis Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Anthony Hospital, St. Clare Hospital, 70+ Franciscan Medical Group primary and specialty care clinics, the largest hospice and palliative care program in the state, and many community education and outreach programs for the underserved.  The Franciscan Foundation seeks charitable gifts on FHS’ behalf to help fulfill the mission to create healthier communities.

Mission Statement
Our mission is to nurture the healing ministry of the Church by bringing it new life, energy and viability in the 21st century.  Fidelity to the Gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we move toward the Creation of Healthier Communities.  Our work is guided by our core values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence.
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Franciscan Foundation
1149 Market Street 
Tacoma 
WA
98402-3515 
(253) 428-8411 

Gregory J. Unruh 
President 

Programs

Franciscan Foundation Programs

Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care
As the most comprehensive end of life care provider in Washington, our skilled and compassionate services include advanced inpatient support at Hospice House, home-based hospice and palliative care, hospital palliative medicine, bereavement services, comfort therapies like massage and music, home medical equipment services, spiritual support, end of life planning, and a comprehensive initiative to increase minority awareness and utilization of end of life services.  Last year, we helped over 3,000 patients and their families.

Serving the Poor in Our Community
Community donations are vital in sustaining FHS’ broad array of community outreach and education programs for underserved populations.  These include WIC nutrition clinics, immunizations for disadvantaged children, a parish nursing program serving 80 churches and faith communities, chaplain services for the homeless, community dental van, free health education and support groups, and more.  Last year, FHS gave $115.8 million back to the community in education and outreach programs, unpaid costs of Medicaid, and charity care. 

Cancer Care
FHS offers advanced, comprehensive oncology treatment and holistic care to aid our patients in their fight against cancer, from screening and diagnosis through treatment, survivorship and end of life.  Specialized services include non-invasive gamma knife, Da Vinci robotic surgery, inpatient palliative care teams, gynecologic and thoracic oncology, complementary therapies, and multiple surgical specialists.  Our accredited Community Cancer Program’s outreach and support services include Cancer Resource Centers, patient navigation, support groups, and free community education and screening.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Major successes and accomplishments in 2012 included:
  • FHS was recognized as one of the Top 100 most efficient and integrated health organizations nationally, for the 9th year
  • St. Joseph Medical Center received the prestigious Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corp for the 13th time
  • St. Elizabeth Hospital was recognized as one of the 25 "most wired" rural hospitals in the U.S. by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine
 Despite the financial and operational challenges currently facing all healthcare organizations, FHS remains committed to our mission, and to serving all in need.  As the need for charity care keeps increasing and insurance reimbursements decrease, donations to the Franciscan Foundation are needed more than ever.  Donations help us maintain community outreach and education programs and meet higher charity care needs at our hospitals and clinics.  Examples of tangible needs supported by donations include:
  • Mammograms for uninsured, low-income women at risk of breast cancer
  • Comfort therapies for hospice patients and bereavement services for families
  • Clothing, food, transportation and other basic needs assistance for homeless community members coming to our Emergency Departments
  • Car seats for low-income families
  • Charity Care and prescription medication assistance for uninsured patients
  • Music and pet therapy for mentally ill hospital patients
  • Help developing a community garden and soccer field in Westway - a very low-income neighborhood in Federal Way
  • Patient Care Van in the Enumclaw/Plateau community, to transport elderly patients and others in need to their healthcare appointments
  • Bike helmets for children from low-income families

Evaluation


The Franciscan Health System is a regional network providing comprehensive health care, as well as a variety of community outreach and education programs, including its Violence Prevention Initiative that engages residents and other stakeholders in working towards neighborhood development goals that also address disparities.

Leadership
The Franciscan Health Sustem is partnering with residents of the Westway housing development (which has been hit hard by the economic downturn) to renovate an overgrown, unused lot in the neighborhood and create a soccer field and a community garden, which were identified by the residents as important for building a sense of community. The Boys and Girls Club has offered to organize and coordinate soccer games and police department staff have offered to be coaches and referees for the kids playing soccer since they want to build a positive relationship with local youth.

Collaboration
The Franciscan Health Systempartners with a number of community stakeholders in Federal Way through the Build the Bridge Coalition which began in 2002 with a vision of “building healthy communities in Federal Way and bringing resources and services to areas where they are needed most.” The coalition brings a dental van to local schools, hosted a Cops and Docs drug prevention program in many schools and played a lead role in bringing a police department satellite office into an underserved neighborhood.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
6/10/2012 $10,000.00support capital expenses.

Financials

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