Foundation News
30th Anniversary Celebration Gala Raised over $228,000
May 1, 2024 – This year’s annual signature event for Augusta Health Foundation raised over $228,000 to support patients at Augusta Health and at the Neighborhood Primary Care Clinics. The celebration was be held at The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center Great Hall in Staunton.
New Technology Funded by Donors Improves Patient Comfort and Team Member Safety
September 12, 2023 – Augusta Health is resolving a longstanding challenge in caring for patients – safely boosting them up when they slide down in their beds. This new technology, called The Hercules Patient Repositioner, allows a single caregiver to safely boost a patient back to a comfortable position with a simple button push.
“Seeing, firsthand, the difference this technology makes in the patient and team member experience is powerful. Knowing the generosity of our donors made it possible is truly inspiring,” said Shirley Davis Carter, CFRE, Augusta Health Foundation Executive Director and Vice President of Philanthropy. “A patient may need to be repositioned in bed as many as 10+ times daily. Conventional repositioning methods, such as slide sheets and lifts, are disruptive. Patients don’t have to worry about that unpleasant experience when caregivers use Hercules.”
Traditional patient-boosting methods are also a leading cause of injury for bedside caregivers. This physically demanding, time-consuming task contributes to job dissatisfaction and burnout and is a significant reason nurses leave bedside care.
The purchase of the Hercules Patient Repositioner technology was made possible through gifts to Augusta Health Foundation. Augusta Health’s Shenandoah House received four Hercules Repositioners in 2022. Funds raised at this year’s Twilight in Tuscany event and donor gifts to the Patient Care Fund, enabled 42 Hercules Repositioners to be installed – 30 for the Medical Unit, 6 for Skilled Nursing, and 6 for the Intensive Care Unit. This is phase one of a three-phase project. The goal is to install Repositioners in all inpatient units for the benefit of patients and team members.
Augusta Health Foundation Unveils Name of Breast Center
June 13, 2023 – Augusta Health celebrated the naming of its new breast center Tuesday, June 13 at the Augusta Health Outpatient Pavilion.
Staunton, VA-based company, Fisher Auto Parts has made a $1M gift to Augusta Health, to name the newly built Breast Center in memory of family member and the longest serving Director of the Board, Mary Louise (Coiner) Fisher.
The newly named Mary Louise Fisher Breast Center serves as a one-stop point of care for area residents, with offices for breast surgeons, radiologists, and clinical support teams. Augusta Health President and CEO, Mary N. Mannix announced the center’s advanced technology, “will put local breast care services on par with large and academic medical centers across the country.” The Fisher family and members of Augusta Health leadership unveiled the sign to a round of applause from the audience filled with Mrs. Fisher’s friends. Augusta Health Board of Directors Chair, Laurie Landes, remarked that the center is already “allowing patients excellent care close to home and family.” The Mary Louise Fisher Breast Center promotes the hospital’s mission of promoting health and well-being to the local community through access to excellent care.
Six Graduate from Medical Laboratory Sciences Program
May 27, 2023 – Augusta Health’s Medical Laboratory Sciences Program (Formerly Clinical Laboratory Sciences) graduated six students on May 26, 2023.Graduates spent the last year working alongside employees in the Augusta Health Laboratory to earn undergraduate degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences. This program began over 50 years ago at Kings Daughters and continues today, attracting diverse students from across the United States. Graduates’ home schools were based in California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Virginia. Through the generous support of donors, Augusta Health Foundation offers two scholarships annually through the Medical Laboratory Sciences Scholarship Fund (in memory of Kathy Miller).
Should you wish to promote excellence in Laboratory Sciences, please contact Augusta Health Foundation: 540-332-5174 or www.augustahealth.com/foundation. Congratulations Class of 2023!
Renovated Chapel Rededicated as Bonin Family Meditation Room
May 3, 2023 – The Bonin Family Meditation Room (formerly the Sandra Bonin Anderson Chapel) has been renovated. It is a welcoming space to people of all faiths, beliefs, and spirituality. The renovation was made possible through generous support of donors to the Augusta Health Foundation, including the Bonin Family, Martin Lightsey, and many Bonin family friends.
Donors were invited to a dedication on May 2. The beautiful, calming space will be a place of reflection, respite and comfort for patients, families, visitors, and Augusta Health team members.
Please visit the Meditation Room when you need to find the moment of peace in your day or just to pause and reflect. It’s located on the 2nd floor of the main hospital, near the surgery waiting space.
Twilight in Tuscany Raises over $130,000
April 28, 2023 – This year’s Annual Signature Event was a great success made possible by our sponsors and donors. Our live and silent auction participants helped round out the support. New this year was our fund-a-need live bidding that helped raise funds to improve wellbeing through the purchase of Hercules Repositioners. (see video here.) We are honored by the generosity and enthusiasm expressed for our clinical teams and we thank you for your support of Augusta Health through philanthropy.