| story by | Amy Northrop, LMH Health Foundation, Annual giving manager |
| photo by | Steven Hertzog |
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LMH Health Foundation donors contribute to the long-term success of the hospital with their financial contributions.
Ensuring Longevity
Since 1969, donors to the LMH Health Foundation have generously supported access to high-quality, compassionate care in Douglas County and beyond. Benefactors have financed leading-edge technology and more for the community’s not-for-profit, safety-net hospital.
“Support by donors, corporate partners, physicians, associates and community members ensures we carry on the spirit of Elizabeth Watkins, whose founding gift led to the construction of the first iteration of this hospital,” says Rebecca Smith, executive director of the LMH Health Foundation and the hospital’s vice president of strategy and communications. “By investing in our community hospital, donor support makes a real and meaningful difference in the lives of our families, friends, coworkers and neighbors.”
Many donors recognize the importance of investing in initiatives focused on advanced technologies that provide exceptional, state-of-the art health care at our community hospital. They know their support leads to greater hope and healing close to home.
In early 2020, Dana Anderson and his late wife, Sue, made a significant gift to the Foundation to support two MAKO robots for outpatient joint replacement surgery and two new da Vinci robotic surgical systems used by general surgeons, urologists and obstetricians/gynecologists.
“The work our doctors do is important to our entire community,” Anderson explains. “We are happy to do what we can to provide them with the very best technology they need to perform at the highest level.”
Other donors may direct their gifts toward a specific unit or program. Carol Schaub and her late husband, Sherry, made a special gift to the Cindy Murray Family Birthing Center.
“We had four children together, but two of them passed away very young,” Schaub says. “I feel [through my gift]I’m doing my small part to help alleviate stress or even agony for new moms.”
The Schaubs’ philanthropic support, plus that of other donors to the Family Birthing Center, came just in time. When a jaundice meter broke on the unit requiring repair parts that would take an unknown amount of time to arrive, the Foundation made funds available immediately to quickly purchase a replacement.
“Our team is so thankful and appreciative to our donors,” says Cynthia Weidl, director of Maternal Child Services.
Hundreds of donors also contribute toward advancing staff education. The Foundation offered more than 60 scholarships this year to employees and their dependents to offset the cost of their education.
Other donors find joy in supporting the LMH Health Leadership Academy, a leadership and professional development program for area students that provides hands-on learning experiences in health-care administration and local government.
“We are proud to support the LMH Health Leadership Academy, an incredible program that empowers students from all backgrounds with essential leadership skills,” says Jason Hoover, longtime donor along with his wife, Lindsey, to the Academy. “Each year, it provides invaluable opportunities that help launch careers and shape future leaders.”
Foundation donors regularly contribute to fill the gap for patients who may be uninsured or underinsured. Many donors also choose to include the Foundation in their estate planning so their support can continue in perpetuity. One community member recently shared why they chose to include the Foundation in their will:
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“I knew this was one way I could help change a life, or even save a life, well beyond my own life.”
Finally, there are specific giving opportunities for employees and physicians to donate to the Foundation that provide emergency funds that directly support staff members and their families during times of hardship.
“It takes every person in every type of role to provide quality medical care to this community. Our ability to care for others and perform our role at our best are impacted when life happens to us or a family member,” explains Sandra Dixon, director of Behavioral Health Integration and a Foundation donor.
“I take ‘partner for lifelong health’ seriously, especially when it comes to being a partner with my colleagues. I am fortunate to be in a position to take care of my family and help others who may need some additional support. My hope is others do the same and be available if I ever need that support in the future.”
The LMH Health Foundation, a board-governed 501 (c) (3) organization, has transferred more than $15 million to the hospital in support of LMH Health priorities and programs since 2017. It is estimated that the Foundation will transfer an additional $8 million in 2024.
While the Foundation has received seven of its nine largest gifts in the last six years, the majority of gifts are $100 or less.
“When donors come together to support high-quality, patient-focused, health-care services, they make so much possible for our hospital and our community,” Smith says.
To become a part of the generous history of giving to the LMH Health Foundation, please consider making a tax-deductible gift through our secure website at lmh.org/donate. You can also mail a check to the LMH Health Foundation, 316 Maine St., Lawrence, KS 66044, or call 785-505-3317 to discuss a giving opportunity that is meaningful to you.
