News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT:  A FUTURE OF CARE
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR NEW HOSPITAL KICKS OFF

 ATLANTA—(February 6, 2009) –Just in time for Valentine’s Day, when thoughts turn to taking care of loved ones, Saint Joseph’s East Georgia is kicking off its capital campaign to raise $15 million for its new hospital which will serve the Lake Oconee area.  The campaign is co-chaired by Dick O’Toole and John Hoffner, who is also a board member of the local Saint Joseph’s East Georgia Hospital.

“We chose Valentine’s Day for a couple of reasons,” says Dick O’Toole.  “To reinforce the connection between hearts and Saint Joseph’s recognized leadership for cardiac care, and as a way to let community members know that this is a unique opportunity to give a meaningful gift to their loved ones via a contribution to this new, state-of-the-art health care facility here, close to home.”

The $15 million goal is comprised of $10 million to furnish and equip the new hospital, $2.5 million to create an endowment for indigent care and another $2.5 million to create an advanced clinical research endowment.  New services are expected to include a state-of-the-art emergency room, advanced imaging equipment, an eICU (electronic monitoring intensive care unit), robotic-assisted surgery within a design that allows for efficient expansion, as needed.

The campaign, expected to last through June, 2009, is being conducted in phases, which are intended to reach the broadest base of support:  individual solicitations, direct mail appeals, business and civic organization contacts, and broad-based community efforts.
“The new facility is a collaborative partnership between our local communities and Saint Joseph’s,” says John Hoffner.  “It’s critical that we have broad support, or we just won’t be successful in raising the necessary funds.  Hopefully, we are all committed to the belief that it’s important to have high quality health care close to home, and, with Saint Joseph’s outstanding track record and resources, this is the best opportunity we have to achieve that.”

Saint Joseph’s purchased Saint Joseph’s East Georgia (formerly Minnie G. Boswell Memorial Hospital) in early 2008 and since then has invested more than a million dollars in facility and equipment upgrades, additional staff and outpatient services.  Saint Joseph’s East Georgia is committed to making continued improvements at the existing hospital which will carry over to the new hospital once it is built.  
Other key members of the campaign’s Development Council are Julie vonHaam and Jackie Adams (Greene County chairs); Carl Stollenmeyer and Paula Benjamin (Putnam County chairs); Steve Riedel, Hugh Vail, Kevin Byrne and Bob Lee.  State Representative, Mickey Channell and Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory serve as honorary chairpersons.  Bill Garrett, president, Saint Joseph’s Mercy Foundation, is executive sponsor of the campaign.

If the campaign is successful, Saint Joseph’s hopes to break ground in the latter half of 2009 and open the hospital in 2011.  For more information on how to make a donation to the campaign, please contact any of the individuals mentioned above, or call Saint Joseph’s Mercy Foundation directly at 678-843-5716