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SOUTHWEST LEGACYA PUBLICATION OF SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION | FALL 2016

Volunteers KnitComfort for HospicePAGE 6

INSIDE: FOUNDATION WELCOMES TIARA BALL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS NEW CHAIRMAN 3 2016 5 CELEBRATION 10

2 | SouthwestLegacy Fall 2016

Dear Friends:

M eeting the needs of our community. It is why Southwest General is here.Throughout this issue of Legacy, you will see many different ways

people have rallied to support your community hospital. Through annual giving; support of our Tiara Ball and golf outing; by remembering a loved one with memorial and honorary gifts; or through donating time and talent as a volunteer; the community shows its belief in this institution.

And we continue to search out the best ways to serve the southwest suburbs of Cuyahoga County and the northern part of Medina County. The Hospital is nearing the completion of its most recent Community Needs

Assessment. This document, along with the Strategic Plan currently in development, will inform the work of the Foundation over the next couple of years. With shrinking Medicare reimbursements and increasing operational costs, we are absolutely in a situation where we have unlimited needs and hugely limited resources. It is why we need your help.

According to the Community Needs Assessment, the three main areas requiring our attention include behavioral health, chronic disease management, and obesity and healthy choices. We are planning to make investments in behavioral health to combat mental health issues and substance abuse problems. We are developing wellness programs we hope to be able to share with the community. Additionally, we are planning renovations for labor and delivery and our breast health center in the coming year. It is our hope that you will join with us to make these improvements to your community hospital.

Our annual appeal will be in your mailbox soon. It includes the story of one of our many nurses who lives in this community, takes care of her neighbors in this community, and is raising her family in this community. The Foundation was able, with the support of people like you, to assist her as she works to further her education. She is a good investment.

There is a great deal of activity around Southwest General. I invite you to come see for yourself. My direct line is 440-816-6711 or you can email me at [email protected]. Enjoy this issue of Legacy, and thank you for all you do to make your community hospital the integral, vibrant place that it is today.

Best wishes,

Steven P. Bossart

VP of Development and Executive Director of the Southwest Community Health Foundation

Letter from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Fall 2016 SouthwestLegacy | 3

With great pride, the Southwest Community Health Foundation welcomes Jim Keating as the new chairman of our Corporate Committee. Jim holds over 25 years of experience in sales management, strategic planning and business development, and is currently Director, Agency Channel, at YP Marketing Solutions, one of the largest digital media companies in the country. Jim became a member of the Corporate Committee in 2014, and will now steer this burgeoning group of area business leaders in their continued support of the Foundation’s philanthropic work.

A native of the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Jim’s work ethic and acumen have seen him relocate six times in his career due to promotion. For the last nine years, however, he has resided happily in Strongsville with his wife and four children. He has served on the board of the Strongsville Lacrosse Association and Strongsville High School Athletic Booster Club, as well as coached numerous youth sports teams over the last 15 years. An athlete himself, Jim is also a two-time Ironman triathlon finisher.

The Southwest Community Health Foundation is pleased to announce the election of Brett C. Hazard as the new chairman of our board of trustees. Having first joined the Foundation board in 2014, Brett brings a wealth of nonprofit leadership expertise to the position, as well as more than 20 years of experience successfully planning and delivering supply chain, IT and merger integration capabilities for businesses. Brett is currently Director, Field Services, at Sprint. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management.

Prior to this appointment, Brett served as vice chairman of the Foundation board, as well as chairman of the Foundation’s Corporate Committee. Under his direction, the Corporate Committee experienced unprecedented levels of growth and has become one of the pillars of the Foundation’s work within our community.

Brett, his wife, Melissa, and their three children live in Olmsted Falls. During his time off, you can find Brett enjoying various activities with his family and at St. Clarence Church, where he is an active member.

Foundation Elects BRETT HAZARD as New Chairman of the Board

JIM KEATING Appointed Chairman of Corporate Committee


Thank You Tiara 2016 Sponsors

EMERALD SPONSORFifth Third BankParkside Villa - Part of the Legacy Health Services Family

Saber Healthcare Group

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR Altenheim Senior LivingAncora Advisors LLCPat Catan’s Craft CentersThe Sam J. Frankino Foundation

Kohrman, Jackson & Krantz L.L.P.

The Martin Healthcare Group

University HospitalsVantage Financial Group

AMETHYST SPONSORCentury Oak Care CenterCommuniCareThe Albert M. Higley Co.Mike and Erma KalinichSouthern Hills Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center

The Surgery Center of Southwest General

TeamHealth

JASPER SPONSORABM Healthcare Support Services

Absolute Home Health & Hospice

Aris RadiologyWayne and Debbie BrassellBayless Pathmark Inc.Blue TechnologiesMrs. Penelope Boyer, in memory of Duane O. Boyer

BravoCannonDesign and NV5Cardiovascular Medicine Associates, Inc.

Commercial Interior Resources, Inc.

Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus

Jack and Barb DravesInfinity Construction Co., Inc.

The McLaughlin FamilyMedic Management Group LLC

The Medical Staff at Southwest General

The Northern Trust Company

Oswald Financial Inc. / Principal Financial Group

Riverview Pointe/Huntington Woods/ The Woods on French Creek

Ken and Marian Semelsberger

SoundCom SystemsSouthwest Anesthesiology Group, Inc.

Southwest Family Physicians, Inc.

Stern AdvertisingUlmer & Berne LLPThe Villa CamillusDrs. Brian and Cynthia Zelis

RAFFLE SPONSOROrthoWest, Ltd. CENTERPIECE SPONSOR Dingus and Daga, Inc.Dr. L.C. and Jean Rao DIGITAL ADVERTISING

SPONSOR John & Amanda AltonWayne and Debbie BrassellBelai Damtew M.D., FRCP, FACP, FACHP

Ernst & YoungParallonPTA Engineering, Inc.Dr. L.C. and Jean RaoSlocumStrongsville Chamber of Commerce

Ziegler

On April 23, 2016, more than 480 guests experienced An Enchanted Evening in Bollywood at the

Southwest Community Health Foundation’s bi-annual Tiara ball. Held at the historic Cleveland Public Auditorium, the event brought the sights and sounds of India to downtown Cleveland, including a high-energy Indian dance troupe, henna tattoo artists, Bollywood music and more.

In total, Tiara 2016 raised more than $405,000 in gross proceeds to support the Southwest Community Health Foundation Endowment Fund. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Cerner, and all of our incredibly generous supporters that made Tiara 2016 a tremendous success.

RUBY PRESENTING SPONSOR


Dr. Sabino Velloze and Dr. Ania WojtasiewiczBrett and Melissa Hazard

The Spartan Bhangra dance troupe performs to the delight of Tiara attendees

Amanda Alton and Dr. John Alton

Mayor Thomas Perciak, William Young and Mari Jo YoungMichael Kalinich, Erma Kalinich, Marian Semelsberger and Kenneth Semelsberger


Nothing says comfort like a soft and cozy handmade afghan blanket. Since 2001, volunteers for the Precious Pals program at Southwest General have been hand knitting and crocheting lap afghans to bring comfort to patients in their final stages of life.

Every Southwest General hospice patient is eligible to receive an afghan as a gift through the Precious Pals program. The small size of the lap afghans makes them especially nice for patients in a wheelchair, where a regular size blanket often proves too bulky. To date, more than 4,680 afghans have been made by volunteers, who in total have contributed over 140,400 hours of their time to the program.

Many of the Precious Pals volunteers have a strong personal connection to Southwest General hospice. One such volunteer, Dolores Spieth, became involved with the group after her husband was a patient at the Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice facility in Strongsville. Following her husband’s passing, Dolores says that joining Precious Pals “saved her sanity,” as she found something meaningful to do in creating treasures for patients of Southwest General’s hospice services.

Crocheting since she was just 12 years old, Dolores thought she would have to give up her craft permanently when she lost most of her vision several years ago. Despite having little confidence in her abilities, Dolores began crocheting again in early 2014 with encouragement and assistance from her son. Since then, she has created almost 150 afghans and donated over 4,000 hours to the Precious Pals program and the patients and families it serves.

Recently, Precious Pals volunteers have begun to tag the afghans with their respective creators’ names. As a result, Dolores now regularly receives thank you notes from grateful family members of patients. “When a family member takes the time to send me a note thanking me, I am touched,” says Dolores. “I know how difficult the time after a loved one passes is, and it makes me feel like I’m really doing something worthwhile when the families say thank you.” She concludes, “when you read how much a blanket can mean to a family, it really warms your heart.”

These gifts from the Precious Pals program not only provide warmth and comfort to the patients, but also become a loving memory for their family members after the patient’s passing. If you would like to support the work of this impactful program, please contact Kelly Peoples at [email protected] or 440-816-4043. New volunteers, monetary contributions and donations of yarn are all gratefully welcomed.

To Precious Pals, from a Grateful Family:

“ Dear Dolores,

You crocheted not one, but TWO lovely blankets for my mother. Well, unbeknownst to you, my mother had two daughters.

Those blankets were on mom day and night over the last few months of her life. Their softness and warmth brought mom comfort the way that few things could near the end of her life.

When the time came to say goodbye, my sister and I each picked up mom’s things knowing we would always have the lovely memories to bring us comfort and warmth. We both cherish them dearly, and sometimes I feel like it’s a hug from mom. ”

PRECIOUS PALS CREATE BLANKETS OF COMPASSION


CARING COMMUNITIESFor nearly a century, Southwest General has been a leader in helping people do what people are meant to do – live their lives to the fullest. Through our highly regarded clinical staff, state-of-the-art equipment and emphasis on compassion, we remain dedicated to providing outstanding quality care to patients and families in southwest Cleveland.

Charity has been a building block of our hospital since 1912, when a group of civic-minded residents raised $100,000 in just ten days to build the first Southwest General. That spirit of collective philanthropy lives on today at the Southwest Community Health Foundation and, with your support, will be carried forward into tomorrow through the Caring Communities Annual Campaign.

The Caring Communities Annual Campaign is the largest ongoing fundraising initiative dedicated to the greatest needs of Southwest General. As a nonprofit health center we find these needs growing every day, yet resources are increasingly limited. Thankfully, your gift can play a critical role in the continued excellence of vital programs and services at Southwest General. You can make an important difference for a child’s first visit to our emergency department, a stroke survivor finding new life through physical therapy and rehabilitation, or a cancer patient in need of comprehensive, compassionate care.

The perfect time to give is today.

To join the hundreds in our community who choose to demonstrate their care, you may:

• Enclose your donation in the envelope included in this publication and mail to the Southwest Community Health Foundation

• Visit us at www.swgeneral.com/ways-to-give to make your gift immediately and securely online

• Call the Foundation office at (440) 816-6713, Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm

Your gift will help provide advanced equipment and technology, continuing education and training for our staff and so much more. Together, we can ensure the best care possible for our patients, families, neighbors and friends.

Annual Campaign

Caring

Communities

At every step, the generosity and support of our community has fueled our endeavors.


Eagle SponsorsABM Healthcare Support ServicesAncora Advisors LLCAris RadiologyMarti BauschkaBonezzi Switzer Polito & Hupp Co. LPAWayne and Debbie BrassellCerner*Commercial Interior Resources

Jack and Barb DravesFifth Third BankVictor T. Geraci/Tucker Ellis LLPThe Albert M. Higley Co.Kohrman, Jackson & Krantz L.L.P.*The Martin Healthcare GroupThe Medical Staff at Southwest GeneralMTD Products, Inc.William and Mary MurphyOhio Anesthesia Group - Southwest

DivisionParkside Villa - Part of the Legacy Health

Services FamilyPerspectus Architecture/Drake ConstructionRiverview Pointe Care CenterSoundComSouthwest General Health CenterSouthwest General Health SystemUniversity HospitalsVantage Financial GroupWillis Towers Watson

Birdie SponsorsCentury Oak Care CenterKey Private BankPremise SolutionsRCF GroupRoop & Co. Strategic Integrated

CommunicationRotary Club of Strongsville

Golf Shirt SponsorAltenheim Senior Living

Prize SponsorUniversity Hospitals

Cocktail Reception SponsorsWayne & Debbie BrassellThe Surgery Center of Southwest General

Golf Ball SponsorCardiovascular Medicine Associates, Inc.

Snack Station SponsorsAltenheim Senior Living The Sam J. Frankino Foundation

Lunch SponsorsVictor T. Geraci/Tucker Ellis LLPZenith Systems

Beverage Cart SponsorsPTA Engineering Studiothink

* Denotes multiple sponsorships in same category

Southwest Community Health Foundation’s 26th Annual Golf OutingHonoring Wayne & Debbie Brassell

On Thursday, August 4, more than 150 sponsors, friends and volunteers gathered at Columbia Hills Golf and Swim Club for a beautiful day of golf

and festivities, all in support of Southwest General. The Southwest Community Health Foundation’s 26th Annual Golf Outing raised more than $95,000 in net proceeds to help our hospital provide vital programs and services.

A very special thank you to this year’s honorees, Wayne Brassell, Trustee, Southwest General Health System, and Debbie Brassell, Trustee, Southwest Community Health Foundation, for their incredible generosity and unwavering dedication to our mission throughout the years.

Our sincere gratitude and appreciation also goes to the many individuals, companies and organizations that sponsored this year’s event. Our success is made possible only through your continued support. Thank you for being an important partner in caring for our community!

Debbie and Wayne Brassell, our 2016 Golf Outing honorees

Thank You to our 2016 Golf Outing Sponsors


Tee Sign SponsorsAbsolute Home Health and HospiceFoundation SoftwarePrincipal Financial GroupPhysicians AmbulanceRiverview Pointe Care CenterRoop & Co. Strategic Integrated CommunicationSearch Masters, Inc.Shoreline CompaniesSlocumSouthwest General Executive TeamSouthwest General Health CenterSouthwest General Health SystemStrongsville Chamber of CommerceT.Rowe PriceThe Villa CamillusWaldheger • Coyne Co., L.P.A.

Hole-In-One SponsorsAlphagraphics StrongsvilleBuzek Wealth AdvisorsColumbia Hills Golf and Swim ClubKiplinger & Co., CPAsMedina Auto Mall

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM:Eagle Asset ManagementAnne PennockRao Family Foundation

Richard Bobulsky, Denise Bobulsky, Mary Murphy and William Murphy

Michael Deucher, MD; Mohan Patel, MD; Mark Panigutti, MD; Ferdinand Plecha, MD

Brian Malloy and John Rainone look on as Dave Outcalt sinks a putt

Debbie and Wayne Brassell, our 2016 Golf Outing honorees

George Szeretvai and Kelsey Aerni


Luminaria to Burn BrightFor the sixth year in a row, hundreds of luminaria will glow outside of The Thomas P. Perciak Residential Hospice in Strongsville during the final two weeks of December. This annual “Light the Night to Remember a Life” event is not only a beautiful commemoration of friends and loved ones who have passed, but it also raises critical funds in support of the Dennis C. Simmerman Hospice Community Care Fund.

Founded in 2008, the Dennis C. Simmerman Fund helps to provide special financial and care-related services to hospice patients and families with limited means. In addition to financial assistance for residential hospice care, the fund provides support for services such as in-home caretakers, transportation of family members for visitation and assistance with medication. By making a gift to the Dennis C. Simmerman Fund, you are helping to ensure that we can continue to provide the highest quality of care, with dignity and compassion, to those who need it most.

Luminaria will be available at several donation levels, starting at $10, beginning in November. For more information on how you can help “light up the night”, please call the Foundation office at (440) 816-6713.

The 31st annual Festival of Lights celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Southwest General Health Center.

During this time-honored event, the trees surrounding the main campus of the Health Center will be lit, with each light representing someone special.

All proceeds from the 2016 Festival of Lights will benefit The Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice and the Dennis C. Simmerman Hospice Community Care Fund. Located in Strongsville, our Residential Hospice has cared for more

than 5,000 patients since its founding in 2003. The Dennis C. Simmerman Fund, in turn, provides critical financial and care-related services to our hospice patients with limited means.

Please consider honoring someone close to you, as well as making an important difference for future hospice patients and their families, by sponsoring a light today. The names of those honored will be inscribed in the 2016 Festival of Lights Album, which will be displayed in the hospital’s main lobby. Lights may be sponsored for $20 per honoree.

Checks may be made payable to the Southwest Community Health Foundation and mailed to:Southwest Community Health Foundation

18697 Bagley Road C-105Middleburg Heights, OH 44130


Southwest Community Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Brett C. HazardChairman

William A. YoungPresident and CEO

Michael H. NovakVice Chairman

Diane BakerSecretary

William G. MurphyTreasurer

Nico A. Bolzan

Debbie Brassell

Michael F. Deucher, MD

Mark J. Elliott

Victor T. Geraci

Carl K. McLaughlin

Thomas P. Perciak Chairman Emeritus

L.C. Rao, MD

Susan O. Scheutzow

Thomas A. Selden, FACHE

George G. Szeretvai

Ronald J. Warzel

Edward C. White, MD

IN MEMORY OF Fred R. Plecha, MD

It is with our deepest sympathy that we recognize the passing of Fred R. Plecha, MD, on August 12, 2016.

Fred graduated from The Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and did his surgical training in the United States Air Force. He served in the military for eleven years, including one year of overseas service as a flight surgeon during the Vietnam War, and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Following his military service, Fred began a distinguished career as a vascular surgeon. He Joined the Southwest General staff in 1970 and provided exceptional care to our patients for more than 30 years, including eight years as Section Chief, Vascular Surgery and four years as Chairman, Department of Surgery. Fred was also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the CWRU School of Medicine.

Fred is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marion, his children Christine (Francis Florez), Fred (Donna), Laurie (Doug Ewing), and John (Sheila), and eight grandchildren.

We are truly grateful for Fred R. Plecha’s dedicated service to the Southwest General community. He has left an indelible legacy on the hospital, as well as the patients he cared for.

18697 Bagley RoadMiddleburg Heights, Ohio 44130

440-816-6713www.swgeneral.com/ways-to-give

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDBEREA, OH

Permit No. 236

Southwest Community Health Foundation Staff

Steven P. Bossart, MNO 440-816-6711Vice President, Development [email protected] Foundation Executive Director

Lee Weber 440-816-5702Assistant Director [email protected]

Cydney Levin 440-816-8957Resource Development Specialist [email protected]

To be removed from the Foundation’s mailing list, please contact Cydney Levin, Resource Development Specialist, at 440-816-8957 or [email protected].

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