Local Health Care is Fortified by a Strong Foundation

Washington Hospital Healthcare System (WHHS) is a nonprofit community hospital dedicated to: meeting the health care needs of the communities it serves, providing free health education and other services to local people, and striving to improve the overall health and wellness of people in the Tri-City Area. The Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation (WHHF) was established in 1982 to support the Hospital’s mission by raising community awareness and encouraging charitable giving. The Foundation just gave to the Hospital, one of its largest annual disbursements to date—the sum of $2,009,354.

These funds benefit numerous areas of the Hospital to cover costs for necessities like advanced technology and equipment, essential staff training, critical medical supplies for low-income and unhoused patients, ongoing health education and outreach programs, facility renovations, and scholarships that enable local students to pursue careers in health care.

“Generous annual contributions from the Foundation to WHHS represent commitment and trust in the Healthcare System shown by grateful patients and families; physicians and staff members; business leaders; philanthropists, and organizations that make up our community,” said WHHS Chief Executive Officer Kimberly Hartz. “We appreciate this steadfast support, which brings the community together for the common good. In turn, we will continue to bring innovative, quality health care providers and programs here, where our community members live and work.”

Local Giving Facilitates Essential Health Care

Nearly $1.4 million of this year’s Foundation disbursement is funding construction costs to expand the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, slated to open in 2025. This newly designed space in the Washington West building will feature a larger infusion center; modern centralized patient and family waiting area; a dedicated pharmacy; and spaces for patients and their loved ones to meet with care navigators, social workers, nutritionists, financial counselors and other interdisciplinary service providers. This expansion will enable the cancer center to respond to recent exponential growth in patient volumes, while continuing to provide world-class cancer care through its partnership with UCSF Health, close to home where cancer patients need it.

Another significant portion of the disbursements garnered from the Foundation’s 36th Annual Top Hat Gala event in 2022 is designated to equip and prepare WHHS to become Alameda County’s next level II adult trauma center. Specific purchases include a blood and fluid infuser, portable ultrasound imaging machine, and blood bank refrigerator. The systemwide effort to bring advanced, immediate response for traumatic injuries to Southern Alameda County is now underway and will be finalized in 2027.

Other funds from this year’s disbursements come from WHHF’s partnership with the Stupski Foundation to support the Hospital’s Outpatient Palliative Care services. This important program provides an extra layer of physical, emotional and spiritual support along with curative treatment to improve the quality of life for people living with a serious illness outside of the Hospital setting.

Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation

WHHF is made up of a dedicated board of trustees and members that take a two-pronged approach to encouraging community support of the Healthcare System. They aim to not only provide financial support to the Hospital, but also to educate the community about its services, and engage individuals and businesses to participate in sustaining it long into the future. This is done through creative campaigns, annual events including the Top Hat Gala and Golf Tournament, and opportunities that make it convenient and fulfilling to support WHHS.

“The Foundation plays an essential role not only for the Healthcare System it supports, but for the community as a whole,” said WHHF Executive Director Sarah Gemski. “Sharing the good news about the Hospital’s award-winning programs and high standards of care today inspires giving that fuels tomorrow’s state-of-the-art facilities and essential tools and technology the clinicians need to best care for our growing community.”

To read more about the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation go to whhs.com/foundation