PHILANTHROPY at Work

Annual Report 2013 PHILANTHROPY at Work Kaleida Health Foundation | Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation The John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital Message from the President and CEO Philanthropy and volunteerism are embedded in the Western New York community and Kaleida Health. Through the generous contributions of individuals, physicians, “Many of our hospitals were founded through corporations, foundations and our employees, we are able philanthropic efforts and like our past, so many to support state-of-the-art equipment, research, education, community health/wellness programs, and charity care. Many of our successes today are a direct result of donor of our hospitals were founded through philanthropic efforts and like our past, so many of our successes today are a direct engagement and support.” result of donor engagement and support. With more than 155 years of experience and a remarkable history of medical advances and breakthroughs, we are constantly seeking new ways to care for our patients with skill and compassion. Our expert medical team is leading the way with groundbreaking research, technology, and partnerships with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, ECMC and Roswell Park. Every day we are finding new ways to ensure that our patients have access to the most modern, safe and effective medical care possible. Kaleida Health is experiencing exciting momentum. On the horizon is construction of The John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, Western New York’s first new children’s hospital in over 120 years. Our physician-led steering committee is spearheading the planning process for this hospital on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. It is a vision to be recognized as the innovator, the highest quality, highest value provider, and the regional referral center for women and children’s health care for Western New York and beyond. Philanthropy continues to lead the way in this initiative which ultimately will ensure that immediate access to specialized healthcare is available to our community’s women and children today and for the next 120 years. This annual report is a representation of who we are, what we have achieved and most importantly, who you have helped. Stay with us as we continue our transformation so that you, your family and the next generation of Western New Yorkers have access to essential services. James R. Kaskie President and CEO Kaleida Health & Great Lakes Health Cover Photos by Doug Hanes and Julie Stefaniak 2 3 Amys Habib Rittling’ Story ”Without Benefactors there are no Beneficiaries” Little did I know how significantly my life would change on I am now asking for your support to allow what countless February 8, 2006. There were a few signs the night before families have benefitted from for more than 120 years to and early morning. I was not feeling 100% but I thought that continue for future generations. The campaign for The John was a combination of coming down with a little flu and a R. Oishei Children’s Hospital is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity new pasta dish my husband created. I thought my golden that will immeasurably impact the quality of health care for our retriever’s over-attentiveness in wanting to be by my side children. Please consider financially supporting the Campaign all night and early morning was caused by him not feeling to maintain a state of the art Children’s Hospital for all of well. Lastly, I believed that I must have mistakenly thought the other A.J.’s in our community and beyond. Your gift will my water broke. By the time I arrived at work, I had dismissed give hope to children and answer the prayers of families for any notion that something may be wrong with my first baby generations to come. who was not due to arrive for almost another two months. Within hours, however, I would be in a hospital in labor and by late evening having an emergency Caesarean. As the following days unfolded, delivering my baby premature was one of life’s biggest blessings. This would not have been the case, however, without Children’s Hospital. Within an hour of my son being born, we were told that he needed to be emergently transported to Children’s Hospital; that Children’s was the only hospital that could help him. We quickly thought of a name for him – Anthony Joseph (A.J.) - and the resident priest in the hospital baptized him with those present who had remained with me after the delivery. A.J. was then taken from me. I had not even an opportunity to hold him or feel him against me. He was being transported to a hospital that, at the time, I was unsure if I had ever been inside. My husband went with him. Having just had an emergency C-section, I had to stay. The late Reverend James P. Higgins, S.J., a dear family friend, had arrived at the hospital. We knew A.J. needed surgery and within minutes he was in touch with Michael Caty, M.D., the former surgeon-in-chief at Children’s. Father Higgins told us that Dr. Caty would be in charge and he is the best of the best. We had no other option but to trust Children’s and Dr. Caty. We would come to realize that a series of blessings ensued. Having experienced first hand the unimaginable, I personally I am humbled now to be able to give back to the Hospital Because Children’s was in Buffalo, my husband was able to know how important it is to keep a free-standing, state-of- that allowed me to bring my son home. As co-chair of the be at A.J.’s side immediately after he was transported and the-art Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, a hospital that attracts Campaign for the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, we was able to devote all of his time to A.J., knowing my mother the best of the best in medical providers and offers quality are on our way to meet our goal, having raised $29 million to and other family and friends were able to help me. Because medical care, programs and services in a wide range of date. However, we still have a way to go and we need your Children’s was in Buffalo, I was able to check out of my specialties and a hospital that serves not just the children in help. Our community needs to keep Children’s Hospital in hospital the next day and go to Children’s to be with my son our community but the families of those children as well. A.J. Western New York to help our children and families in ways before his surgery. Because Children’s was in Buffalo, a top spent over a month in Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. that may be unimaginable to them today as they once were notch surgeon, who had been recruited to Children’s and was The physicians, nurses, medical professionals and support staff to my family. The new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital will very familiar with A.J.’s rare condition, was able to perform the were there not just caring for him day and night but offering be built to meet the changing needs of children’s healthcare in successful surgery. Because Children’s was in Buffalo, my son’s support for our whole family as well. Buffalo and ensure that a state-of-the-art dedicated pediatric Top: Kara, Mark, Amy and Bedie life was saved. I do not know what would have happened to facility is here to recruit, train and retain the best and brightest Front: Haleigh and A.J. my first born without Children’s Hospital. of the next generation of pediatric doctors and researchers. 4 5 Children’s Own Flagbearer Children’s Own Flagbearer Pete Augustine - President, New Era Born and raised in the Western New York area, I feel a deep It’s rare to find a specialized care hospital in a city of Buffalo’s responsibility to give back to our community. size but it’s a great representation of the area’s storied past. The fact that, after more than 120 years, the hospital is still Buffalo is strong and its inhabitants are unique. The city thriving right in our backyard is a true testament to this has seen many evolutions throughout its long history and has community and the important services that the hospital developed a pulse of its own. Our food, arts, sports and even provides to local residents. snow, unite us. The people of Buffalo, and surrounding areas, are proud of this city and the culture that is here; and I am no Aside from a few bumps and bruises, that have required exception. I take great pride in strengthening our community, x-rays and exams, Kim and I have been fortunate that our preserving its heritage and am looking forward to a great own family has not needed to use the hospital’s extensive future. A future that I feel starts with one of the cornerstones emergency care services. But I think it’s almost impossible of this area — Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. to find a family in Western New York that has not used one of their superior specialized care services. There is nothing The Women & Children’s Hospital Foundation was the first harder on a parent than seeing your child sick. Your life can charitable organization I became involved in after joining New change in a moment.

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