Saint Anne's Hospital Development Program honors "Philanthropists of the Year"

Others recognized include major donors and employee "Philanthropy Stars"

2006 Philanthropists of the Year
Seated (left-right): Jan Raposa, Self Image Hair Design; Susan Suhr, executive vice president, Wireless Zone; Mrs. Grace Lincoln; Maria Cabral, Unlimited Expressions; and Mary Cochrane.  Rear: SAH President Michael Metzler; Kevin Sinclair, president, Wireless Zone; Carmela Sofia, MD, FACS; Henry Lincoln, MD; Sister Vimala Vadakumpadan, OP, chairperson of the SAH board of trustees; Gregory O'Donnell; and  Kim Blythe-Kaiser and Karen Paquette of Shear Creations.

Fall River, MA Saint Anne's Hospital recently presented its 2006 "Philanthropist of the Year" awards to donors who have taken a proactive part in the hospital's philanthropy program over the past year.

"We looked for people or organizations who, whether they were high profile or unsung heroes, whether they contributed $500,000 or the immeasurable gift of their time and talent, demonstrate an unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community,� said Susan B. Oldrid, CFRE, Saint Anne's vice president for development. "This year's recipients truly exemplify the best of philanthropy and remarkable standards to which others will aspire."

For the sixth year, "Philanthropist of the Year" award categories included "the spirit of philanthropy" and corporate, employee, individual, small business, and volunteer philanthropy. Also recognized were members of the hospital's Founder's Society, who contributed $5,000 or more during the past year; the President's Society, whose members contributed $1,000-$4,999; and special employee philanthropy "stars."

Spirit of Philanthropy: Carmela Sofia, MD, FACS

The "Spirit of Philanthropy" award was established to recognize an individual or organization demonstrating a sustained dedication to improving the health and well-being of our community through philanthropy. Fall River surgeon Carmela Sofia, MD, FACS, is well-known for her quiet and unassuming approach to philanthropy and for doing what she believes is doing what is right and just, especially for those in need.

For more than 15 years, Dr. Sofia has supported the hospital through major events, annual campaigns, a major gift to the hospital's last capital campaign, and gifts to the Compassionate Care Fund and Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital.  In addition, she served as president of the Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital from 1994-1996 while building her medical practice and currently serves as chief of surgery and medical director of the hospital's Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care.  In these capacities Dr. Sofia has been a strong advocate for establishing or enhancing programs and services that address the needs of patients, especially those who are underserved.  Moreover, notes Oldrid, "Dr. Sofia is known by staff and patients alike for her quiet gestures to those in need, especially patients who might benefit from gifts of flowers, sweets, or other meaningful gifts – and does so by simply acting and not waiting to be asked."

Corporate Philanthropist of the Year: Wireless Zone

Since its establishment in 1988 as the Car Phone Store, to its name change in 1999 to the Wireless Zone, to its standing today as the largest independent cellular agent in the country, the Wireless Zone has been a leader in responding to the changing needs of its customers through innovation, growth, and commitment to community.  In many ways, Wireless Zone's business strategies and corporate values mirror those of Saint Anne's Hospital: identify a need, develop a response, and act in order to enhance the lives of those being served.

Since 2002, with Wireless Zone's first participation in Saint Anne's annual golf tournament, the organization has supported Saint Anne's major events.  When the company established its own foundation, the hospital received major grants to support mission-related programs such as the Fernandes Center for Children & Families and its Pediatric Oncology program.

Oldrid notes that Wireless Zone's executive vice president, Susan Suhr, regularly visits the hospital and talks with those who interact daily with patients, learning what needs to be done to enhance their lives.   She and other company employees also attend most hospital events, and, in the case of the annual "Get Moving" fundraising walk for the Hudner Oncology Center, personally raise additional funds from family and friends.

Employee Philanthropist of the Year: Mary Cochrane, LICSW

As Saint Anne's director of community and clinical social work, "Mary consistently goes the extra mile for both the hospital's patients and the community at large," says Oldrid.   In the last year, she secured grant funding for several new community outreach initiatives aimed at serving the community's more vulnerable patient populations.  As a volunteer, she has played a lead role in establishing a long-awaited Child Advocacy Center in Fall River to meet the needs of abused children.

In addition, Cochrane, a resident of Fall River, has played a significant role in the establishment and oversight of the hospital's Employee Emergent Needs Program, which provides funding to employees who experience tragic or catastrophic events.  She was instrumental in the creation of the application and eligibility criteria for this program and, as primary reviewer of all applications, determines eligibility for this program.  She also goes the extra mile to identify additional resources in the community which might be of benefit to the employee and is a generous financial supporter of the Employee Emergent Fund.

Individual Philanthropist of the Year: Dr. Henry and Mrs. Grace Lincoln

Dr. Henry and Mrs. Grace Lincoln have been long-time hospital supporters.  However, an invitation to the hospital's Centennial Mass in January 2006 took their giving to a transformational level when each donated $100,000 to the hospital's Pain Management Program.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Lincoln have had close ties to Saint Anne's for many years: he as a practicing physician and she as a graduate of the former Saint Anne's Hospital School of Nursing.  These relationships, along with a desire to leave a legacy for their children, inspired their gifts.

Over the next year, Dr. and Mrs. Lincoln's gifts to the hospital's Pain Management Center's will result in numerous enhancements to the Pain Management Center.  Their generosity will make possible expanded clinical space, a sophisticated electronic medical record system to replace paper medical records, new technology that will enhance communication between physicians and patients, and installation of new C-arm fluoroscopy equipment.

Small Business Philanthropist of the Year: Unlimited Expressions, Self Image Hair Salon, and Shear Creations

Maria Cabral, owner of Unlimited Expressions, a Fall River hair salon, had a personal experience with cancer that changed her life.  Rather than simply getting on with her life following this experience, she took action.  She had two goals in mind: to raise money for the oncology program at Saint Anne's Hospital, and educate as many women as possible about the importance of mammography screenings.

She and Jan Raposa, owner of Self Image Hair Salon in Fall River, became partners in realizing these goals by establishing a "cut-a-thon" event.  The women provided haircuts, manicures, and chair massages in exchange for donations to SAH.  They also provided educational videos on the importance of annual cancer screenings, sessions with a registered nurse to learn how to perform breast self-exam correctly, and a Portuguese-speaking oncologist from the Hudner Oncology Center to talk with non-English speaking clients.

In 2005, Cabral and Raposa expanded their efforts by hosting separate events in each of their salons and inviting Karen Paquette and Kim Kaiser of the Shear Creations salon in Fall River to take part.  In addition to the funds that were raised that day at the three salons, hundreds of women learned about the importance of breast screenings and how early detection can save lives.

Volunteer Philanthropist of the Year: Greg O'Donnell

When he assumed chairmanship of the 2005 Saint Anne's Hospital golf tournament, Greg O'Donnell quickly established goals.  The event was already a sell-out, with a waiting list of players and seemingly little opportunity for growth.   Moreover, given competition from other hospital events and area tournaments, there appeared to be a short list of prospective new sponsors.

Working closely with the hospital's development team, O'Donnell revised sponsorship levels in order to maximize benefits for both sponsors and the hospital.  Using his personal and business contacts, he successfully secured support from new sponsors and increased support from existing sponsors.  He also worked to increase sponsorship by expanding the golf committee to include more members from the business community and used his contacts to secure more unique raffle and auction items.

The results: In his two years as chair, net revenue from the tournament increased by 26 percent.  The funds have supported two of the hospital's most important mission-related programs: the Compassionate Care Fund, which provides financial assistance for patients who cannot afford prescriptions, transportation, food, and other basic medical services; and the Fernandes Center for Children & Families, which provides ambulatory evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment services to children with special healthcare needs.

In addition to his role as chair of the golf tournament, O'Donnell serves as a member of the hospital's Development Committee and, as of 2006, a member of the hospital's board of trustees.   Says Oldrid, "Greg is a true role model for volunteerism, stewardship and commitment."

Philanthropy "Stars"

This award was established in 2005 to recognize a hospital employee, department, or volunteer whose service to supporting the operation of the Office of Development far exceeded expectations, thus ensuring the success of the department's fundraising efforts.  This year's honorees, Georgia Botelho and Melanie Pabon-Figueroa, of Fall River, and Raymond Buchanan, of Tiverton, RI, all employees with the hospital's mailroom/courier service, were cited for dedication and commitment to ensuring annually that numerous large mailings are prepared and processed in a consistently accurate and timely manner.

Founder's Society

Saint Anne's Hospital Founder's Society consists of members who contributed $5,000 or more to the annual/endowment funds from October 2005 through September 2006.  These included: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Dave C. Bundy, Edith H. DeMauro, Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Lincoln, Charles Motta, S. Elizabeth O'Brien Trust, Prince Henry Society of Fall River, the Rodgers Family Foundation, Mary E. Quirk Trust, and Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving, Inc.

President's Society

Saint Anne's Hospital President's Society consists of members who contributed $1,000-$4,999 to the annual/endowment funds from October 2005 through September 2006.  These included: Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Abraham, American Cancer Society, Henry J. Augustine, Dr. and Mrs. John C. Carroll, James and Deborah Collins, Community Connections Fund, Community Foundation of  Southeastern Massachusetts, Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Duhancik, Sr., Dr. and Mrs. Paul P. Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Duquette, Dr. and Mrs. H. Ivan Duran, Ethel M. Gainey Charitable Trust, Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Allen A. Krause, Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Lash, Magellan Radiology, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Mello, Mr. and Mrs. Michael  Metzler, Dr. Marilyn Miller and Mr. Daniel Clancy, The Motorcycle Poker Run, Joseph L. and Emilia M. Nichols, Elisabeth A. Pennington, Ed.D., Fulton and K. C. Pontes, Rose C. Sasso, Michael S. Saulino, Ellen P. Sullivan, Target, USJB Council #442, Joan M. Vitello-Cicciu, and an anonymous donor.