My decision give to the Providence South Puget Sound Foundation stems from a belief in the importance of building resources to support the growth of essential services that otherwise might not exist. Some years ago, when the Sexual Assault Clinic was the Fund-a-Need program at the Foundation’s annual gala, a Foundation board member commented, “This is the sort of program the Foundation exists for. It’s an essential part of our mission but cannot be developed or sustained within traditional business models.” His message hit home, and since then I’ve focused my giving on programs that fit that description – an essential part of Providence’s mission but not sustainable through traditional business models.”
I’ve also appreciated how integral the Foundation is in stimulating innovation. In 2004 the only source of specialized palliative care was for people on hospice. Palliative care was not available to hospitalized patients or community patients who were not on hospice. The Foundation supported us in securing external grants, administered by the Foundation, that enabled us to create the inpatient Palliative Care Service at St. Peter Hospital and to later expand it to Providence Centralia Hospital. In 2014 the Foundation designated the Providence Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic as the annual Fund-a-need program. Our program is now widely regarded as one of the premiere palliative care services in all of Providence and in all the Puget Sound region. The Foundation’s role in this development was pivotal.
Despite challenges and uncertainties withing the current healthcare landscape, my commitment to continue giving to the Foundation stems from a desire to ensure ongoing contributions with long-term effects, translating intentions into meaningful actions. My hope is that others share that vision and, by giving to what matters most to each of us, we can collectively work towards a future where compassionate care is accessible to all who need it.
- Gregg Vandekieft, MD
