FOUNDATION NEWS

Lourdes Invites Area Women to Make an IMPACT on Healthcare

(March 15, 2013) - Through their collective passion, dedication and generosity, IMPACT Lourdes members are doing their part to enhance high quality healthcare and medical services provided at Lourdes.
IMPACT Lourdes is a special group designed for passionate, philanthropic women who pledge $1,000 over the course of a year.  This year, IMPACT Lourdes introduced a Junior Membership, a pledge of $500 for women under the age of 40.  The membership will, in essence, make grants to the hospital through Lourdes Foundation.
Members are invited to exclusive social events throughout the year and stay updated on the latest Lourdes news, achievements and advancements. But the most important privilege and responsibility of members is the opportunity to have a voice in selecting a vital Lourdes project which will receive funding from IMPACT Lourdes each year.
Collectively, IMPACT Lourdes members have donated over $100,000 in the past two years to important patient care programs.  Through these grants, Lourdes Hospice hired additional staff to create an 11th Hour and Continuous Care program for patients and families in their time of greatest need.  IMPACT members also voted to renovate suites in the Lourdes Little Miracles Birthing Center to enhance the experience of families as they welcome new babies into their lives.  Renovations are slated to begin in the coming weeks and will be completed in the summer of 2013.

Lourdes Foundation Reaches One Million Dollar Milestone

(February 21, 2013) - For the first time in Lourdes Foundation history, annual giving has exceeded a million dollars, with the final count totaling $1,042,857.71. A balloon drop marked the big announcement at tonight’s 12th annual Mardi Gras & All That Jazz! fundraiser held at Harrah’s Metropolis Hotel. 
"This million-dollar generosity from our community will ensure Lourdes can continue to provide the advanced healthcare and health and wellness programs our patients deserve," said Tara Miller, Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer.  “Through our donors' support, we can also continue addressing the special needs of the poor and uninsured who struggle to get the care they need.  It's been my experience that when the needs are greatest, this community rallies to meet those needs in truly inspiring ways."  
Nearly 800 Lourdes supporters turned out to celebrate Fat Tuesday at Mardi Gras & All That Jazz!, raising $73,000 in proceeds to benefit the Lourdes Foundation. Funds raised at Mardi Gras & All That Jazz! are used to support programs and services, provide facility upgrades and purchase state-of-the-art technology for Lourdes Hospital. 

Register for Lourdes Foundation’s Charity Golf Open

Registration is underway for Lourdes Foundation’s 13th annual Charity Golf Open, featuring Marquette Transportation as presenting sponsor. The outing will be hosted at the Country Club of Paducah on Monday, August 27, with two tee times offered at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Golfers will have a chance to win $50,000 cash at the Ray Black & Son Hole-In-One Challenge.  A trip for two to the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois will also be awarded to the winner of the Ryder Cup Challenge Shoot-Out.  Additional prizes will be awarded for longest putt, longest drive, closest to the pin, and first, second and third place teams in each flight.  Register by August 10 by calling (270) 444-2353 or visit www.eLourdes.com.
Lourdes Foundation’s Charity Golf Open has raised nearly $600,000 in 12 years. Donations to Lourdes Foundation improve the health of our community by providing support for advanced technology, like the new twin hybrid operating rooms that opened at Lourdes this spring.

Local Foundations Help Expand Lourdes Hospice Services

(August 02, 2012) - Lourdes Foundation recently received a $57,200 grant from The Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation.  The grant assists Lourdes Hospice & Palliative Care in expanding its Christian counseling program for end-of-life patients and their families by funding an additional Hospice and Palliative Care chaplain.
Lourdes Hospice Executive Director Kay Williams says, “Lourdes Hospice and Palliative Care has been serving our region for more than 25 years, and we wanted to expand our spiritual services by securing funding for a chaplain/palliative care counselor to minister to the spiritual needs of patients suffering from chronic illness or serious injury.”
“This position ensures that as each person faces a chronic life limiting illness, spiritual resources are provided along with physical resources for optimal coping of both the patient and family,” says Lourdes Hospice & Palliative Care Chaplain Curtis Pruitt, who joined the team in June thanks to the Carson-Myre grant.
Donations to Lourdes Foundation improve the health of our community by providing support for advanced technology and other projects and services that enhance patient care. For more information please contact executive director Tara Miller at 270-444-2353.

Lourdes Foundation Donates Air-Conditioners to Those in Need

Lourdes Foundation has reached out to the community of Livingston County by donating ten air-conditioning units for those in need. The Pennyrile Allied Community Services (PACS) alerted Lourdes of the need in the community. Ginger Dietz says, “The poverty level is really high here in Livingston County….. This summer has been one of the hottest on record….

Lourdes Receives Generous Gift for Two Hybrid Operating Rooms

(December 23, 2011) - Retired surgeon, Dr.Wally Montgomery and his wife, Mrs. Geraldine Montgomery have pledged a $200,000 donation to the Lourdes Foundation.  This generous gift will be used toward the funding of the hospital’s new cardiac and endovascular hybrid operating rooms.  The new cardiac hybrid operating room will be named the Montgomery Cardiac Hybrid Operating Room in honor of their contribution.
“We are very grateful to the Montgomerys for making this commitment to our cardiovascular program,” says Lourdes President and CEO, Steven Grinnell.  “Their support has been vital to the success of our expansion project.  With the new hybrid operating rooms, our specialists are equipped to provide the most advanced care available, regardless of what cardiovascular condition presents in our facility.”
“Lourdes means so much to us and to this community,” says Gerry.  “Because of our personal experiences and involvement at Lourdes, we’re pleased to help ensure that Lourdes continues its tradition of outstanding care.”
Lourdes holds a special place in the Montgomerys’ hearts.  Gerry, former mayor of Paducah and new chairperson of Lourdes’ board of directors, had three valve surgeries—the first one being in 1984.  And just last year, she was in Lourdes for treatment of arrhythmia.  The cardiac hybrid facility will allow patients like Gerry to receive the newest, most advanced treatment options available for valve disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Dr. Wally Montgomery has also turned to Lourdes for his healthcare needs, undergoing bypass surgery at Lourdes about ten years ago.  He serves as vice-chair of Lourdes Foundation’s board of directors and was instrumental in helping Lourdes receive approval for the hospital’s open heart surgery program.
“As a surgeon, I appreciate the investment Lourdes is making in their technology and treatment protocols which mean that, in less than 60 minutes, patients have had a cardiac catheterization and are ready to have surgery if necessary,” says Dr. Montgomery.  “And with the new hybrid operating room, the surgical procedures can be performed in the same room and immediately following the heart cath.  This is an exciting advancement in medicine and a tremendous benefit for patients.”
Lourdes is proud to be the only hospital in Kentucky, and one of only a few locations in the country, to offer both cardiac and endovascular hybrid operating rooms.  The new cardiac and endovascular hybrid operating rooms will be located inside the hospital.  Construction began in the spring of 2011 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.