Campaign Exceeds Goal

The Salem Hospital Foundation recently completed its first ever capital campaign to create a new Community Health Education Center (CHEC).

The Salem Hospital Foundation recently completed its first ever capital campaign to create a new Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The campaign exceeded the $3.5 million goal by raising just over $4 million.

"The generosity of the community in general, hospital employees, our local medical professionals and many local business people has been truly overwhelming," said Jim Griggs, Foundation Board Chair. "Thanks to their support, we will now be able to offer a user friendly and professionally staffed resource center where anyone can find reliable information about their health or the health of friends and family members."

The new Center, which will be located in remodeled space on the first floor of the hospital's Family Birth Center, will include the:

• Pierce Resource Center
• Gehlar Wellness Kitchen
• Gerlinger Support Group Room
• King Staff Library
• Green Education Classrooms

Gifts to the project include $150,000 from hospital employees, over $2.3 million from community members and corporations, $270,000 in grants and over $1.2 million from active and retired physicians and the Mid-Valley Independent Physicians Association (MVIPA).

"The Health Education Center will provide a unique opportunity for Marion and Polk County residents to access relevant health care information in one convenient location," said Jan Buffa, Foundation Board Member and CEO of the Mid-Valley Independent Physicians Association. "I sincerely appreciate each and every dollar contributed by all of our physician members and generously matched by MVIPA."

Major grants to the project included $100,000 from the Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust and a $75,000 matching grant from The Collins Foundation.

"A large part of this campaign has been about letting people know that everyone can make a difference, no matter how small or large their contribution," said Martin Morris, the Foundation's Chief Development Officer. "This is the first time the Foundation has conducted a capital campaign, and to exceed our goal by $500,000 shows that our community believes in not only having access to quality health care, but access to quality health education as well."

The Center is scheduled to open later this summer. Watch for more information about the public grand opening and tours.