|
|
 |
| |
Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation
Newsletter
Fort Sanders Sevier named to Top 100
Blackjack Hammers and Texas Hold 'Em Hardhats at Las Vegas Night 2008
Gary Woods...On Top of the World
Nobody Is a Stranger
Ron and Betty Ogle – A unique way of giving
'Let Me Call You Sweetheart'
Building on the Future of Healthcare in Sevier County
Inaugural Healthcare Heroes Tribute Series Complete
Save Paper- Read Faces of Philanthropy Online!
The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation finds cure for 'Saturday Night Fever'
Healthcare Heroes
A New Year’s Resolution
|
|
|
Fort Sanders Sevier named to Top 100 (07/09/08)
|
|
Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Healthcare, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.
The award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, financial performance, and efficiency. This is the first time Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center has been recognized.
According to the study, the highest performance levels in patient safety were achieved by the 100 hospitals in the study that delivered the highest balanced performance across quality, efficiency and financial stability. If all hospitals had performed at the level of these leading hospitals on the eight patient safety measures studied, they would have saved $253 million and 7,914 lives during the time period the study examined.
Ellen Wilhoit, president and CAO of FSSMC, stated, “Fort Sanders Sevier is committed to providing excellent care to our patients, their families and our community. Our primary goal is to create a great place for staff to work, physicians to practice and patients to receive excellent care. This is a tribute to our hospital family for their dedication and commitment to quality care. I am so proud of our team. It’s quite an honor.”
“We are proud of the efforts of the Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center staff and physicians in providing documented healthcare excellence,” said Tony Spezia, president and CEO of Covenant Health, the parent company of FSSMC. “Quality service coupled with a beautiful new campus, now under construction, reinforces our commitment to fi rst-class service for the Sevier County community.”
More information on this study and other 100 Top Hospitals research is available at www.100tophospitals.com.
|
|
|
Blackjack Hammers and Texas Hold 'Em Hardhats at Las Vegas Night 2008 (07/09/08)
|
|
In keeping with the excitement surrounding the construction of the new Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center campus, on Saturday, April 5th, more than 325 guests maneuvered around orange construction cones and heavy machinery to attend the 15th annual Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation’s Las Vegas Night. The Music Road Convention Center provided the “work site” for the evening as guests enjoyed casino style games, dinner, dancing and the opportunity to bid on fabulous auction items.
A huge thank you goes out to all who helped make the evening a success. Because of your generous spirit the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation will be able to purchase a portable bladder scanner that will assist several departments in their delivery of care at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center.
To view a selection of pictures from Las Vegas Night, please download our newsletter PDF.
|
|
|
Gary Woods...On Top of the World (07/09/08)
|
|
Everyone knows that local photographer Gary Woods puts a bit of his heart and soul into every photo he shoots. For this year’s Evening of Elegance he went way beyond – he added muscle and a little sweat.
Be sure to attend the 2008 Evening of Elegance on Saturday, August 16, to see more of this magnificent mountain vista through the eyes of this talented artist.
|
|
|
Nobody Is a Stranger (07/09/08)
|
|
Ray Burchell and his wife, Dee, have never met a stranger. They have spent their lives working and traveling the United States from Pennsylvania to California, and now in Tennessee. The mention of each hometown brings stories of great friendships and interesting encounters with people from all walks of life.
Here in East Tennessee, the Burchells have settled in for retirement, but that doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down. Ray was determined to find a place where they could be of service to the community and share their good fortune with others.
"The Lord has given us so much," says Dee. "We need to use those blessings to help someone else."
The Burchells found that opportunity at the Fellowship Center, a non-profit lodging facility affiliated with Covenant Health. A "home-away-fromhome" for patients and families who are traveling long distances to Knoxville for medical treatment, the Fellowship Center offers 18 fully-furnished apartments, a family room and laundry, a food pantry, and, most importantly, respite and hospitality during stressful times. Most guests who benefit from the Fellowship Center are patients at Thompson Cancer Survival Center, the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, but this caring program is also open to patients from other area hospitals as space permits.
Fifteen years ago, shortly after they moved to Tennessee, Ray Burchell and two friends formed a unique musical group called Heartstrings. The group has grown to include over 30 volunteer members who play a variety of string instruments. Ray’s specialties are mountain dulcimer and autoharp. The father of one of the group’s founders had stayed at Fellowship Center during a recent illness. Through that connection, Heartstrings began to play at the Center, and Ray and Dee learned about its wonderful mission.
"Nobody is a stranger at Fellowship Center," says Ray. "When you walk in the door, whether you’re a patient or a caregiver or a volunteer, you are family. It feels good to be a part of that place."
Ray and Dee agree, "We are so impressed by what the staff and volunteers do at the Center – how they care, how they show compassion and hospitality to the patients and families."
They have high praise for the Center’s longtime director, Sarah Whitley, as well. "Sarah is A-number-one! She truly walks the walk and believes in what she does," says Ray.
The Burchells have learned that the best way to help Fellowship Center is to simply ask Sarah what she needs. Ray says she is never shy about sharing the needs that will make a difference for her guests. Over the years, the Burchells have provided mountains of paper products, dishes, small appliances, light bulbs, food, and even a refrigerator…not to mention supporting the Center’s efforts with their financial contributions. In addition, Heartstrings plays regularly for the Center’s guests during lunch in the family room.
"With the twenty-fifth anniversary of Fellowship Center coming up, we feel so good to be a part of it," says Ray. "The spirit of giving from all the people involved is what makes the program so successful. If people want to learn more, I say go…go and see what they do. Then you’ll understand."
According to Ray, Heartstrings always closes their performances with "Amazing Grace" because it gets to the heart of what the group is all about. It gets to the heart of what Ray and Dee Burchell are all about, too. Fellowship Center salutes the Burchells, Heartstrings, and all of the generous donors and volunteers who have helped the Center provide its special hospitality for the last twenty-five years.
Ray and Dee Burchell are great examples of a couple who enjoy life and making life better for others through their financial and gift-in-kind donations to the Fellowship Center, as well as their gifts of time in bringing musical joy to so many. Such an inspiring story!
There are many opportunities to make a difference with your gifts of time, talent and financial donations to programs supported by the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation. Be like the Burchells and live life to the fullest. Contact us today for ideas and ways you can make a significant difference. Perhaps it is with a gift of needed supplies, or joining our volunteer ranks, or supporting patient care and education needs with a gift of cash, stocks or real estate. Other ways include putting a bequest in your will or making us a charitable benefi ciary designation on your life insurance or retirement plan. You could choose a combination of these wonderful ways to help people served by the healthcare programs supported through the Dr. Thomas Foundation.
For more information, please contact Debbie Dowling, Dr. Thomas Foundation executive director, at (865) 429-6649 or ddowling@covhlth.com.
|
|
|
Ron and Betty Ogle – A unique way of giving (04/07/08)
|
|
| |
|
Born and raised in Sevier County, both Ron and Betty Ogle feel a strong connection to the heritage and land their families have lived on for generations. The cabin that belonged to Ron’s great-grandfather, Noah Bud Ogle, still stands in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
“Sevier County is our home,” say Ron and Betty. “We feel very humbled to live in the place where we were raised. Our ancestors had a lot of pride in this land and in preserving their heritage.”
Dedication to that heritage and the future of Sevier County led the Ogles to make a significant contribution to the capital campaign for the new Fort Sanders Sevier. They chose to make that contribution through a gift of real estate.
“A piece of property is a sacred thing,” says Ron, recalling his family’s legacy of farming the land in Sevier County. “We used real estate to make our gift because it’s what we have. We consider ourselves generous people who are proud of our families’ history in Sevier County and we want to honor our respective families by making this gift.”
Both Ron and Betty appreciate the impact that the new healthcare facility will bring to the region.
Betty states, “It will lift the spirits of all our residents. Fort Sanders Sevier will provide a place for patients to go without driving to Knoxville or another area for medical needs. It will be marvelous to have the Thompson Cancer facility here, and to have access to our hometown boy, Dr. Chet Ramsey, and his research, not to mention the link to M.D. Anderson. There will be so many new and innovative technologies and procedures available that we can scarcely imagine it.”
“We’re the fastest growing county in the state,” Ron says. “The economic impact will be enormous. The master plan of the old Cherokee Mills property, redeveloping the airport and creating the new hospital, is just great in centralizing needed services. They are preserving green space in the construction of this complex and raising the bar for future development.”
Ron and Betty feel that the facility will be a real boost for the business community. “We can promote comprehensive healthcare available locally. Our quality of life is so important for new businesses looking to come into our area.”
“Every donor has a passion, and every donor has their own unique way of giving,” says Debbie Dowling, executive director of the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation. “The Ogles have found their unique way to make a difference in our community by supporting the capital campaign with a gift of real estate. We are so grateful for their generosity and dedication to our health, our heritage, and our future.”
Do you have real estate that is costing you money?
Are you interested in turning this real estate into tax and financial benefits?
As you read in the article about the Ogles, giving a gift of real estate creates much personal satisfaction in supporting a worthy cause as well as more tangible benefits such as generous tax deductions and financial savings (not having to pay any additional expenses related to the real estate).
Giving a gift of real estate can also be used to create income for you and your loved one. Appreciated real estate is a great asset to use in funding a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust which provides an income stream to you and your loved one for life.
To find out more about unlocking the potential benefits of your real estate, contact Debbie Dowling, executive director, at (865)429-6649 or ddowling@covhlth.com for a confidential report on “The Power of Real Estate.” It’ll be information well worth your time.
|
|
|
'Let Me Call You Sweetheart' (04/07/08)
|
|
The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation and Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center are truly lucky to call Mr. Grant Cantwell friend. This past February they also referred to him as their “very own Cupid” when he once again arranged for the Sevier County Choral Society to serenade hospital workers and visitors with a singing valentine. The Valentine’s Day festivities continued as Mr. Cantwell presented red roses and chocolates to the ladies and offered a special thank you for everyone’s commitment and dedication to Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center.
|
|
|
Building on the Future of Healthcare in Sevier County (04/07/08)
|
|
What has been a hot topic of conversation in Sevier County for many months is beginning to take shape!
The steel beams that will form the structure of the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Professional Office Building are rising from the ground of the former Dan River site. Architectural and engineering plans for the new Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, the Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services and the Thompson Cancer Survival Outpatient Center have been completed and ground work for those buildings is underway.
Wayne Spence, a Sevier County native, is serving as the construction superintendent for the project. The Dr. Thomas Professional Building is slated to open in November 2008 with the opening of the remaining facilities in 2009.
To find out more about how you can be involved in the future of healthcare in Sevier County, please contact Debbie Dowling, executive director of the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, at (865)429-6649 or e-mail ddowling@covhlth.com.
|
|
|
Inaugural Healthcare Heroes Tribute Series Complete (04/07/08)
|
|
The fourth and final honorees in the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation’s Healthcare Heroes series were local physician Jerry Bradley, M.D., and the staff of the Fort Sanders Sevier Emergency Department.
“Yee-ha!” We shout it at rodeos and races…but Dr. Jerry Bradley heard that shout in the emergency room and it inspired his career. Dr. John Hickey had worked for hours to revive a young man whose survival seemed hopeless, but then, his heartbeat returned. Dr. Hickey’s shout of joy was the deciding moment for Jerry Bradley, who was then an orderly in the ER.
“I wanted to do something with my life that could make me feel like that,” says Dr. Bradley. “I wanted the opportunity to make a difference, to be able to jump for joy and thank the Lord that a patient was going to be ok.”
Those opportunities come hundreds of times a day in the Fort Sanders Sevier Emergency Department. Last year alone, over 42,000 patients were cared for in a space designed for just 17,000. The team focus of the physicians and staff is the key according to Nurse Manager Larry Loveday.
“We work as a family,” says Loveday. “We want each patient and family that comes to us to get the most efficient and highest level care, and to really feel taken care of.”
Dr. Bradley agrees. “Our ER is one of the best in the country, with excellent physicians, techs, and nursing staff. We take care of everyone like they are family.”
We salute Dr. Bradley and the emergency department staff, Dr. Aylene Reese, Lorraine Hendricks and Alice Grady – our first of many Healthcare Heroes. The work they have done and continue to do is making an invaluable impact on our heritage, our health, and our future. Thank you for inspiring us!
The foundation plans to continue to honor individuals who are making a difference for the health of our community with future Healthcare Heroes series. If you would like to nominate someone as a Healthcare Hero, please contact the Dr. Thomas Foundation at (865)429-6649 or e-mail ddowling@covhlth.com. We welcome your suggestions!
|
|
|
Save Paper- Read Faces of Philanthropy Online! (04/07/08)
|
|
We’re going green! Beginning with our 2nd quarter 2008 issue, the Dr. Thomas Foundation newsletter will be available via e-mail as well as via standard mail.
If you would like to receive your copy of Faces of Philanthropy via e-mail, please sign up by visiting the “e-newslettersign-up” link. Thank you!
|
|
|
The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation finds cure for 'Saturday Night Fever' (02/12/08)
|
|
On Saturday, August 18th, Gatlinburg became a “disco inferno” as the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation celebrated the 18th annual Evening of Elegance. The Gatlinburg Convention Center took on the look of Studio 54 as 2007 Ball Chairs Steve Hartford and Jay Adams, dressed as John Travolta look-a-likes complete with platform shoes,
greeted the record setting crowd of over 700. The evening was filled with festivities such as a silent and live action, sumptuous dinner and dancing the hustle until the clock struck midnight.
Guests attending the night’s festivities had the opportunity to bid on items such as a Robert Tino original painting, a custom designed blue topaz pendant by jeweler Max
Richardson, and several UT athletic packages featuring both the football and basketball teams. Photographer Gary Woods produced one the evening’s most coveted items in a 60” gallery wrap rendering of Dr. Thomas’ medical bag and office
wheelchair. Winning bidder Mr. Dennis Bolze turned around and donated the artwork back to the Foundation so it can be placed in the lobby of the new hospital. Last but not least, bidding was fierce for a premier special edition Chevy HHR. Sporting a leather interior, power sunroof, heated seats and On Star navigation system, this car was certainly one of the night’s most popular auction items. This year’s auction brought in over $102,000.
Once again bringing in net proceeds from sponsorships, ticket sales and auction totaling $200,000, the 2007 Evening of Elegance exceeded all expectations. Proceeds will be used to enhance medical care in Sevier County through programs at the Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and certainly the new medical campus for Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center.
Mark your calendars – the date for the 2008 Evening of Elegance Ball will be Saturday, August 16th.
|
|
|
Healthcare Heroes (02/12/08)
|
|
In October 2007 the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation launched a tribute series to honor people and organizations in Sevier County who are making an impact on the health of our area. Healthcare Heroes features a new story each month spotlighted by an ad in the Mountain Press. Citizens National Bank is underwriting the series which we hope will become an annual event.
The first honoree chosen was the late Dr. Alyene Reese (view tribute) who founded Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic and worked tirelessly to provide primary medical care to the uninsured in the county. Next, the Thomas Foundation chose to recognize Lorraine Hendricks (view tribute) for her volunteer spirit and the work she does with many area non-profits, and retired RN Alice Grady (view tribute) who continues to use her nursing skills by facilitating the Smoky Mountain Cancer Support Group and working with many other health-related programs. The final honoree for the inaugural Healthcare Heroes series was Dr. Jerry Bradley (view tribute), who was recognized along with all the physicians and staff of the Fort Sanders Sevier Emergency Department, for their dedicated service to our community.
If you have people or programs you would like to nominate to be recognized as a Healthcare Hero, please contact the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation at (865) 429-6649.
|
|
|
A New Year’s Resolution (02/12/08)
|
|
January is a month for making resolutions for the New Year. 2008 represents a fresh start, an opportunity to pull out our “to-do” list and try to check off a few more items. The Dr. Thomas Foundation wishes to share the following “to-do” items with you:
1. Get a Last Will and Testament.
(If you don’t have a will, the State of Tennessee has one for you and you may not like how the state distributes your assets to your loved ones.)
2. Make sure you have a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will to let your family and doctors know about your health care wishes in case the time comes when you are unable to speak for yourself because of injury or illness.
3. If you have a will, dust it off and make whatever changes need to be made.
(Life changes. It’s amazing how minor children can grow so fast and become selfsufficient adults, how family members can pass away, how marital status can
change…all of these changes may affect the way your will was written. Go ahead
and update your will, you will feel better knowing your interests are up to date!)
4. Think about the charities you currently support. What happens to this support once you are gone? Now is a good time to consider adding a bequest to your will. It’s simple and easy to do and can be accomplished in several ways:
• designate a specific sum to your charities of choice
• designate a percentage to your charities of choice
• designate a percentage of the remainder of your estate after your initial bequests to family and friends (example: I bequeath 80% of my estate to the following family and friends…Of the remaining 20%, I bequeath 10% to my church and 10% to the Dr. Thomas Foundation.)
5. Take a look at your retirement plan. Did you know that any of your retirement plan
dollars going to your heirs are subject to income tax? These dollars can also be subject to estate tax and really are better used as a way to continue your legacy of
caring.
Find out more about the flexibility of giving using your retirement plan assets by requesting our complimentary brochure Questions and Answers about Retirement Plans. Contact Debbie Dowling, Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation executive director, at (865)429-6649 or ddowling@covhlth.com for more information.
|
|
|
