Henry Ford Health System Raises $176 Million for Patients

DETROIT, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In one of the country's economically hardest-hit areas:

• Employees gave back nearly $15 million
• A foundation donated $2 million to care for the sickest and tiniest babies
• A family fund provided more than $5 million for heart care
• There have been 45 gifts of $1 million or greater

Launched in 2007, Henry Ford Health System's Envision Campaign has raised more than $176 million of its $250 million goal. Now the seven-year fund-raising campaign is launching its public phase.

"Raising $176 million in this economy is an incredible accomplishment," says Henry Ford Health System CEO Nancy Schlichting. "It really speaks to not only the determination and resilience of our community, but the confidence our donors and patients have that Henry Ford Health System will continue to thrive and grow for another hundred years."

Funds raised through the Envision Campaign make a significant impact on the hundreds of thousands of patients Henry Fords serves each year. In 2010 alone, Henry Ford provided more than $180 million in uncompensated care to thousands of patients throughout southeast Michigan.

The campaign also helps to support facility expansion and construction, as well as growth of clinical care programs and patient care technology at Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and other areas throughout the health system.

Focused on patient care and improving community health, the campaign has already made an impact:

• Nearly $15 million from employees. Since 2006, Henry Ford employees have contributed nearly $15 million through the annual Community Giving Campaign to help thousands in and around metro Detroit, and provide support for various Henry Ford clinical programs and facilities. In 2011 alone, employees gave $3 million.

• More than $10 million: Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute. The Heart & Vascular Institute treats more than 114,000 patients each year, and is one of only three in Michigan for advanced heart failure treatment options and one of the few programs in the country offering robotically assisted laparoscopic aortic surgery. It received more than $5 million from the Edith and Benson Ford Fund, and more than $5 million from Frederick Hessler and Kathleen Mundy.

• Nearly $4 million: Schlichting Education Commons & Innovation Institute. The Schlichting Education Commons will be the central hub for student learning, and feature three key elements: a library; space for medical residents, interns and fellows, along with meeting space; and the Innovation Institute at Henry Ford. The Commons will be catalyst for innovation, collaboration, education and potential ground-breaking inventions. Gifts include more than $2 million personal gift from Henry Ford Health System CEO Nancy Schlichting; more than $1 million from Bill & Martha Ford; and more than $500,000 from the Danto Family.

• More than $30 million: Henry Ford Hospital Expansion Project. Henry Ford Hospital recently opened its two-story expansion, complete with 80 private rooms that offer wireless internet and space for family members to stay overnight. The Kresge Foundation issued a $2.5 million challenge grant in 2009. To receive the grant, Henry Ford needed to raise nearly $30 million by June 30, 2010 – which it successfully did. In addition, more than 20 patient rooms in the expansion project were supported by $50,000 gifts from various donors.

• $2 million: Carls Foundation Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Treating more than 600 critical and low birth weight babies each year in the NICU at Henry Ford Hospital, the Carls Foundation grant has made possible equipment upgrades and renovated patient care space.

• $1 million: The Bob & Sandy Riney Helping Hands Fund. Helping Hands is sponsored and funded entirely by Henry Ford employees to assist co-workers, system volunteers and retirees in times of need. In 2010, the fund distributed $91,000 to 80 employees. In addition to annual employee and physician giving, the fund will receive a $1 million estate gift from Henry Ford Health System President & COO Bob Riney and his wife Sandy.

• More than $1.4 million: Simulation Center. The 15,000-square-foot Center for Simulation, Education and Research allows health care professionals to practice and augment their skills using state-of-the-art simulations including computers and mannequins that can simulate hundreds of different medical conditions. The center received more than $100,000 from Henry Ford Medical Group CEO Mark Kelley, M.D., and his wife Gail; more than $100,000 from Sinai Medical Staff Fund; more than $1 million from ARAMARK Charitable Fund at the Vanguard Charitable Endowment; and a gift from Surgery Colleagues of Mathilda Horst.

• More than $1 million: Heath Alliance for Neighborhood Kids. H.A.N.K., a 38-foot pediatric mobile medical clinic, provides health care services to medically underserved children in Detroit. The mobile unit was donated by the Children's Health Fund, a national organization co-founded by singer Paul Simon and pediatrician Irwin Redlener, M.D. It is estimated that 1,000-1,500 children a year will receive health care services through the mobile clinic, part of Henry Ford's School-Based & Community Health Program.

In all, the Envision Campaign has received 45 gifts of $1 million or greater. Last year, a record 20,000 donors supported the campaign, including more than 12,000 Henry Ford physicians and employees.  

For more information about the Envision Campaign, visit www.HenryFord.com or call 313-876-1031.

Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Health System, one of the country's largest health care systems, is a national leader in clinical care, research and education. It includes the 1,200-member Henry Ford Medical Group, six hospitals, the Health Alliance Plan, 32 primary care centers and many other health-related entities throughout southeast Michigan. In 2010, Henry Ford provided nearly $200 million in uncompensated care. Henry Ford also is a major economic driver in Michigan and employs more than 23,000. The health system is led by CEO Nancy Schlichting. To learn more, visit HenryFord.com

SOURCE Henry Ford Health System