Inspiring Transformation
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ANNUAL REPORT INSPIRING TRANSFORMATION READING HOSPITAL TABLE OF FOUNDATION Officers CONTENTS Jeff Rush, Board Chair Paul Cohn, Vice Chair Mike Ehlerman, Treasurer Letter from Leadership Bunny Zintak, Secretary 3 Board Members Dan Ahern James and Deborah Paula Barrett Radwanski 4 Mary Ellen Batman Jim Boscov Gary Conner Inspiring Healing Dick Ehst 6 Jack W. Gruber, MD Victor Hammel Kathy Herbein Inspiring Innovation Bill Jennings LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP 7 Chris Kraras Marlin Miller Karen Rightmire Inspiring Caregivers Larry Rotenberg, MD 8 Kate Thornton Dear Colleagues and Friends, David Thun “Inspiring transformation” is deeply rooted in Reading Hospital Foundation’s mission. Our Grant Programs Brent Wagner, MD programs have served as catalysts of positive change, bringing advancements in health care John Weidenhammer and empowering providers and patients to work together to improve health and well-being. 9 C. Thomas Work, Esq Integral to our success has been the constant support of volunteers and donations from individuals and businesses in our community. We are grateful for every contribution, small Inspiring Physicians and large. 10 In this report, you will learn about how the donations from our supporters are transforming lives in our community. Among the generous donors this year are Jim and Deborah Radwanski’s, whose gift helped to create the James Radwanski & Deborah St. Clair Radwanski Pediatric Financials Emergency Department; Barbara Bradley, who contributed in honor of her late husband, John, 11 to the Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing’s Therapeutic Healing Garden; and Ezzat Hanna, MD, whose generosity established the Hanna Center for Primary Care Research. Donor Recognition You will also read about some of Reading Hospital’s amazing caregivers; the Foundation’s grant 12 program, which has awarded $1.6 million, to 50 recipients in four years, and realize the impact made by more than 394 donors in the last fiscal year. We are immensely grateful for the generosity of our donors. Thank you for your continued support; you are our inspiration! Sincerely, reading.towerhealth.org/foundation Katherine E. Thornton, President Jeff Rush, Chairman 3 The James and Deborah St. Clair Radwanski, PhD Pediatric Emergency Department PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH CHILD-CENTERED CARE CLOSE TO HOME Deborah and James Radwanski know first- The 16-bed, dedicated space for pediatric hand the stress that families feel when emergency patients is equipped with private they have a child in need of emergent or consultation rooms, child-specific medical special care. With a daughter who was technology, and specialized equipment for born prematurely and cared for in Reading the care of children with autism or other Hospital’s NICU and a son who needed special needs. The space also features a emergency treatment for a broken jaw at family-friendly waiting room and its own young age, they understand the fears and specialized “triage” area, while they await sense of helplessness. treatment, children enjoy a carefully designed Those experiences inspired them to play area—complete with interactive screens, support causes that benefit children in the games, and a virtual fish tank. Free Wi-Fi Berks County community, including the new access and cell phone charging stations Pediatric Emergency Department at ensure parents stay connected with friends Reading Hospital. and family. According to Christopher Valente, MD, Chief, “We welcomed the opportunity to contribute Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, to bringing pediatric ER services to Reading. When we needed emergency services for our The new space sets the tone son, Jamesson, we had to transport him to for patients and their families. the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia The goal of the department is to for the special care he required. Being far away from our home and support system instill confidence, offer comfort... during that time was difficult,” explained to provide a calming experience James Radwanski. during what can often be a very stressful time. We were excited to support a cause that would provide a The significant and generous contribution from the Radwanski’s made the Pediatric less anxious, more convenient Emergency Department a reality. experience for other families. Valente said this is just the first phase of developing a more robust pediatric care Bearing their name, the James Radwanski continuum that allows complex cases to be and Deborah St. Clair Radwanski Pediatric treated at Reading Hospital. Emergency Department stands as an Donors, like James and “Children are our future, and thousands of example of the couple’s dedication to children will benefit from this new emergency Deborah Radwanski, are helping children and their families. Thanks department,” said Deborah Radwanski, pivotal to creating positive to the Radwanskis’ generous donation and whose other family-focused contributions to change in our community. contributions from other donors, Reading the community include service as Chairperson Hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Department The Pediatric Emergency for the March of Dimes and volunteering with opened on February 5, 2019. Department at Reading the United Way. “We have always believed Hospital gives families a The department offers a child-centered in giving back. We hope others will see the approach to emergency care—close to impact it makes and feel inspired to do their comforting, personalized home. Children receive care from highly part. No contribution is too small to make a setting where they can receive experienced pediatric physicians, specialists, positive difference.” exceptional pediatric care in nurses, and physician assistants. emergent situations. Katherine E. Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation 4 5 Inspiring Healing Inspiring Innovation LEGACY WALL MAKES READING HOSPITAL’S 150-YEAR HISTORY AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE The forward-thinking approach that th Reading Hospital Foundation commemorated Reading Hospital’s 150 Anniversary was present from with a Legacy Wall dedicated to the organization’s rich and important history. Reading Hospital’s What started as the “Reading Dispensary,” on January 27, 1868, in a rented location very start remains downtown, has grown to become the centerpiece of healthcare for Berks County. our driving force for Today, Reading Hospital is nationally recognized as the flagship hospital of Tower Health and a leader in advanced health care. transformation. Our hospital will continue THERAPEUTIC HEALING GARDEN AT at Wyomissing, a project inspired by John Bradley. Throughout 2018, the hospital held many activities to celebrate its anniversary, to evolve to serve the READING HOSPITAL REHABILITATION AT The Therapeutic Healing Garden, which will open culminating in the grand unveiling of its Legacy Wall on December 5. community’s ever- WYOMISSING OPENS IN SPRING 2020 in the spring, will feature a 1,500 square-foot The Legacy Wall showcases Reading Hospital’s history and its important role patio, two walking trails, a water feature with a in elevating medicine through education and innovation. It also includes a changing needs. Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing offers pergola, and – of course – a putting green. Trees, commemorative painting that was commissioned for the anniversary milestone, Bill Jennings, President highly specialized, compassionate care to patients shrubs, and perennials will enhance the serene and a dedicated area recognizing the generous donors who helped make this and Chief Executive Officer, recovering from a debilitating injury or illness. These landscape, providing, a place for both relaxation, and exhibition possible. Reading Hospital patients are often in rehabilitation for weeks at a time, rehabilitation in a genuine outdoor setting, better working steadily to regain their strength so they can get preparing patients for navigating life after they leave back to their daily life as safely as possible. But while the facility. EXPANDING EDUCATION AND ENHANCING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT patients in the rehabilitation hospital make tremendous Among the generous donors were The Friends of progress physically, they also have to tackle the mental Reading Hospital, who contributed $50,000 to help Reading Hospital has a rich history of nursing in Berks County. Its dedication to empowering nurses to learn, grow, and challenges associated with being in the hospital, away fund the project. According to Mary Ellen Batman, demonstrate professional excellence is evident—Reading Hospital is one of only 500 hospitals in the world ® from family and their usual comforts. former President for The Friends and a personal to achieve Magnet recognition, a designation that reflects the highest standards of nursing. donor to the Healing Garden, “It’s important to When Barbara Bradley’s husband, John, was a patient To continue in this pursuit of excellence, Reading Hospital Foundation is establishing a Nursing Excellence Fund to expand support efforts to enhance the patient experience. at Rehabilitation Hospital in 2014, he faced the same learning opportunities for nurses. The fund will enhance recruitment and retention of professional nurses, increase career and Providing an area for both physical and mental health challenges. But, one small act made a big difference for educational opportunities, and support research. will give patients another option for healing.” him. During the course of his treatment, one of John’s Rosemary Wurster, Vice President of Nursing Operations, Analytics and Finance