Submitted by St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation
The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (SFVHF) is thrilled to announce the culmination of its Growing TogethER Emergency Department Redevelopment and Ambulatory Care Clinic Renovation Campaign.
Thanks to the inspiring generosity of 813 donors, the Campaign exceeded its goal and raised an incredible $3.1 million for St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH).
The campaign was led by a team of community leaders, including Co-Chairs Ray Pastway and Jane Dumas, and members Chris Briggs, Robert Howe, Bruce Willmer, Dr. Joe Cybulski, and Pat Pilgrim. The team worked extensively meeting with donors and inspiring transformational gifts. Pictured above from left, back row: SFMH Manager of Health Information Management Karen Pietrangelo, SFMH Chief Operating Officer Greg McLeod, SFMH Manager of Finance Jeffrey Brown, SFMH Manager of IT Services Michael Hall, SFVHF Board Director Karen Tierney, SFMH VP Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Executive Sherri Cope, SFVHF Board Director Christine Hudder, SFVHF Board Chair Cheryl Reid and SFMH Charge Medical Radiation Tech Amanda Dumas. Front row, from left: Growing TogethER Campaign Leadership Team members Ray Pastway and Bob Howe, SFVHF Board Director Shawn Gregory, Growing TogethER Campaign Leadership team members Dr. Joe Cybulski, Chris Briggs, and Pat Pilgrim, and SFVHF Executive Director Erin Gienow.
One such Campaign gift marked the Foundation’s largest donation ever – a $500,000 contribution which, along with other gifts, will be formally recognized at a future date.
The Campaign publicly launched in October 2024, and by that time, the leadership team had already secured 85 percent of the funds towards the goal. Since then, $141,000 raised from the Tree of Lights mail-out and the $142,000 generated from the Growing TogethER Lottery have all contributed to the campaign’s success.
“Launching the Growing TogethER Campaign was a visionary and ambitious step toward transforming healthcare in our region,” SFVHF Board Chair Cheryl Reid said. “We are profoundly grateful to every donor who gave generously, every advocate who shared our vision, and every volunteer who dedicated their time and energy. Thanks to their collective efforts, our community exceeded even our most ambitious expectations.”
Funds raised during this crucial Campaign will support equipment purchases and transform the two departments at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. A total of 6,000 square feet will be added to the emergency department, while another 6,000 square feet will be renovated for the ambulatory care clinic.
Once opened, the new state-of-the-art emergency department will include:
- A dedicated isolation room equipped with negative air pressure
- A new entrance for ambulances to use, improving patient flow
- A new dedicated space for mental health care
- Upgraded trauma area to ensure the hospital’s ability to respond to all emergencies in a timely manner
- Improved infection prevention and control measures
“The enhancements made possible through this campaign will ensure that patients in our region have access to modern, safe, and compassionate care when they need it most,” said Suzanne Madore, CEO of St. Francis Memorial Hospital and Renfrew Victoria Hospital.
A tender has been awarded to M. Sullivan & Son Ltd. and work started Spring 2025. The project will take approximately two years to complete.
“We are extremely grateful to the phenomenal donors and to the Foundation and its leadership team for executing and planning the Growing TogethER Campaign,” SFMH COO Greg McLeod said. “This is an incredible achievement for our community and a historic time for St. Francis Memorial Hospital. We look forward to modernizing our emergency and ambulatory care departments and continue to provide excellent patient care for generations to come.”
Though the Growing TogethER Campaign has concluded, the Foundation is even more determined to address the growing needs of its healthcare partners. “Thank you to the generous donors who made the Growing TogethER Campaign a success,” said SFVHF Executive Director Erin Gienow. “Your generosity in supporting this campaign is making a life-changing difference. While reaching our goal is a major achievement, our mission continues. The Foundation is dedicated to providing our healthcare teams with the tools and support necessary to offer the best care possible. Together, we can build on this momentum and elevate care for our community, both now and in the years to come. Your support has a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful.”
Hudder,C.,SFVHF(2025,May15) St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s Growing TogethER Campaign surpasses goal