SPRING 2015

Dear Friend,

Four years ago our Foundation embarked on a capital campaign to fund the expansion and renovation of our Emergency Services Center here at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. I am proud and pleased to share with you that we have raised $10.3M of our $14M goal. It is with much gratitude that I share with your that we have received another $1M pledge, to get us only $3.7M from our goal. The construction phase of the Emergency Services Center has begun! This newsletter is not meant to focus only on the capital campaign, but to raise awareness of many other programs funded by our donors.

Kalispell Regional Healthcare has started two new programs that we believe will continue to support our mission of improving health, comfort, and life in northwest Montana. The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a program offered free of charge to any patients with cancer and their families. As this program continues to grow, we will have more information available. In the meantime, there is a great deal of excitement about how the CSC could really impact patients and their families who live with cancer.

There is a group of committed physicians and staff at the Neuroscience and Spine Institute who realize the need to educate and raise awareness in our community about the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. The Save the Brain program is dedicated to offering education and treatment focused on helping the brain recover post-accident.

I hope this newsletter finds you well and able to enjoy the beauty of the area that we live in. If you have questions about any of the programs please do not hesitate to call the Foundation office. If you should ever need to access our healthcare system, I encourage you to contact the Special Assistance office at 751-4167 or the Foundation Office.

Tagen VinePresident, Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation

For more information about Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation, call (406) 751-6930, visit us at www.kalispellregional.org or email us at foundation@krmc.org.

NONPROFITAUTOCR

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

KALISPELL, MTPERMIT NO. 57

310 Sunnyview Lane | Kalispell, MT 59901

If you wish to have your name removed from our mailing list please contact us at (406) 751-6930, foundation@krmc.org, or by writing us at 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Generosity begins at home The spirit of philanthropy is woven into the fabric of the Kalispell Regional Healthcare workplace, thanks to the efforts of the Employee Philanthropy Club (EPC). Employees who see the direct results of generosity on the quality of patient care have made a significant mark on the hospital’s mission over the years.

One marker of their commitment is the growth of the EPC Endowment, the primary fund the Foundation oversees for the group. Voluntary employee contributions sustain and grow the fund. In 2005 the endowment had a balance of $70,000, and today it has grown to $300,000. This fund principle, and its future growth, is there in perpetuity because only the interest is tapped.

From the interest the endowment earns each year, an EPC committee grants funding requests from departments across the organization that have needs stretching beyond what their annual operating budgets can cover. After reviewing applications for these “mini-grants” this spring, the EPC granted $13,600 for a wide variety of requests that will improve and support patient care. Since 2006, the EPC has been able to give more than $87,500 for worthy needs throughout the organization – all thanks to a healthy endowment in which the principle serves as the nest egg for philanthropy.

This employee-led initiative plants the seeds for a lifestyle of philanthropy on a larger scale. Engaged employees become “owners” of the hospital’s mission and willingly participate in giving above and beyond their job requirements.

In fact, KRH employees stepped up to the plate at a level far beyond anyone’s expectations when asked to help support the hospital’s Emergency Services Center Campaign. In that 2011 kickoff, 970 employees gave $1.19 million in an encouraging show of solidarity with the hospital’s pledge to improve emergency services for our community.

Those three-year pledge commitments wrapped up in January this year, but many employees continue to support the campaign and will extend that support until the $14 million goal has been reached. In addition, many more employees give to a variety of funds within the Foundation, contributing a portion of their paychecks to areas where their passions lie.

Through these EPC funding channels, employees are helping lead the way in providing the quality and breadth of health care that our community deserves.

Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation FundsThere are more than 100 funds and grants that are managed in the Foundation. We have listed below just a few the programs supported by donors like you. The diversity of programs available represents our donors wide-ranging passions. These programs make it possible for the physicians and staff to provide exceptional patient care. These are just a few of the programs supported through philanthropy.

Emergency Services Center Campaign | A.L.E.R.T. | Brendan House | Cancer | Spiritual Care | Diabetes | Employee

Crisis Fund | Environmental Stewardship | Trauma Prevention | Cardiac Rehab | Home Options | Obstetrics |

Neonatal Intensive Care | Greatest Need | Summit Medical Fitness Center | Pathways Treatment CenterTM | Save

a SisterTM | Hospice | Tribute Garden | Continuing Education | Cardiac Rehabilitation | Outpatient Infusion |

Hospitality House | Healthy Living | Orthopedic Care | Women’s Wellness | Pediatric Care

S ave

the date

s! A.L.E.R.T. Golf Tournament

July 11

The Summit Classic5k/10k Walk/Run

June 20

Rad RideBenefit Bike Ride

August 29

Pink Me UpColor RunOctober 4

“The doctors helped heal my cancer, the Cancer Support Community helped heal my heart.” – Cancer Support Community participant and breast cancer survivor from Bozeman

Kalispell Regional Healthcare (KRH) is on the forefront of offering the first sublicensed Cancer Support Community (CSC) in the country that is integrated with a health delivery system. This exciting new program will be facilitated by KRH, but will engage other cancer support programs, individuals and organizations that can provide services to cancer patients, survivors and families. All members of our community affected by cancer will be welcome in the CSC free of charge.

“All cancer care should include appropriate psychosocial support. Eighty-seven percent of patients report at least one issue of a social or emotional need that goes unrecognized or untreated.” – Institute of Medicine

For more information on what CSC is and what they do, go to www.cancersupportmontana.org.

As neuroscience comes to understand more about the brain, it becomes very clear that what we used to think of as a “ding” to the head – a concussion – is actually a mild traumatic brain injury that alters how this amazing organ functions. The signs and symptoms that go along with concussion are often subtle. However, the effect of a concussion on brain function can be life-changing.

The Save the Brain campaign is all about raising awareness for everybody about mild traumatic brain injuries – concussions – what they are, how to detect them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them. KRH has pulled together the best available science, experts, tools, and information and put all this together with one simple goal: Save the Brain.

For more information about Save the Brain, contact Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s Department of Neurology at (406) 752-5095.

Grateful patients and their families honor care givers Have you noticed any staff or physicians wearing a gold buffalo lapel pin? The buffalo pin represents the Grateful Patient Program and the person who is wearing the pin has been honored by a patient for exceptional care.

Since the inception of the Grateful Patient Program in 2009, more than $100,242 has been donated to 30 different funds in the Foundation; patients and their families have recognized more than 150 employees and physicians. It is a thank you that comes from the heart and is given to support Kalispell Regional Healthcare (KRH) as we strive to

provide exceptional care for all of our patients.

One patient told us,

“I have this second chance at life because of the commitment and care provided by the staff and doctors at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.”

To every staff member and physician honored by grateful patients, we would like to thank you for your unending efforts to provide exceptional care. To the patients and their families who choose to support the KRH Foundation through our Grateful Patient Program we offer you our sincere thanks and gratitude. Your donations help support life-saving medical care for our family, friends and the community.

What are your donor dollars used for?In 2014, the Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation funded many requests that included the need for education, new equipment, and patient care services. Below is an abbreviated list of what your contributions have allowed us to purchase for our patients and staff. We are deeply grateful for the trust you place with us and your continued support. One hundred percent of every gift goes into funds that positively impact patients and their families.

• Cardiopulmonary manikins for the education department to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One child manikin has been used by more than 600 employees.• The Continuing Education fund has given more than $22,000 in grants for staff education• Three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been purchased for the organization• Extra wide wheelchairs, blanket warmers and patient scales have been purchased for many departments throughout the hospital• Concussion management and balance assessment / fall prevention system• Pulse oximeter and temporal scanning thermometers to aid in obtaining patients’ vital signs• Avalanche Training for the A.L.E.R.T. flight team• Hundreds of mammograms for those who otherwise could not afford one, because of commitments of so many who support Save a SisterTM

Greg Bancroft | Somers

William Boehme, MD | Kalispell

Katie Brown | Bigfork

Gordon Cross | Whitefish

Anders Engdahl, MD | Kalispell

Rick Greer | Columbia Falls

Pauline Hartman | Bigfork

Andy Kirk | Kalispell

Susan Kuhlman | Bigfork

Wayne Marshall | Whitefish

Kathy Mercord | Somers

Pam Mitchell | Kalispell

Denise Nalty | Kalispell

Kim Nystuen | Lakeside

Steve Patyk | Lakeside

Tom Ray | Whitefish

Dennis Sabo | Bigfork

Brad Salonen | Kalispell

Bob Sandman | Whitefish

Larry Simpson | Kalispell

Velinda Stevens | Kalispell

Andra Townsley | Lakeside

Tagen Vine | Whitefish

Orrin Webber | Kalispell

Bob White | Kalispell

Kathy White-Carlson | Kalispell

Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation Board Members