Saint Francis Foundation Summer Newsletter
Hospital News & Updates
A Year of Impact and Gratitude: A Message from the President
Dear Friends,
As we close our fiscal year, I am filled with gratitude for the profound impact we’ve achieved together. Your continued support over the past 45 years has been instrumental in enabling us to raise over $120 million towards compassionate, high-quality healthcare throughout downtown San Francisco.
This year, we’ve had the privilege of strengthening our community connections and enhancing our healthcare services, thanks to your generosity. From special events to educational workshops that empower our patients with crucial health information, each initiative has helped us deepen our commitment to those we serve.
We’ve celebrated and supported our dedicated healthcare staff, ensuring they have the resources they need to offer the best care possible.
Our efforts extend beyond the hospital walls, reaching vulnerable groups through partnerships with organizations like Maitri, who contribute to vital care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
These activities and many others reflect our dedication to enhancing healthcare services and accessibility. They exemplify how we use every opportunity to improve patient outcomes and community well-being.
As we look forward to the future, I am inspired by the possibilities that your partnership brings.
Thank you for being a vital part of our mission and for your unwavering commitment to improving lives in our community.
Warm regards,
Kate Smith
President, Saint Francis Foundation
In May, we held a special Donor Appreciation reception to celebrate the incredible support of our Saint Francis Foundation donors and partners. The event took place at the prestigious St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, a stunning venue acquired thanks to the efforts of Saint Francis Foundation Board Member Beth Johnson. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Five Star Bank, whose sponsorship made this inspiring evening possible.
The reception was a vibrant gathering of both new and long-standing supporters, some of whom have been with us since the inception of the Foundation, offering decades of unwavering support. It was a night filled with gratitude and community spirit, providing a wonderful opportunity to recognize and thank our donors for their generous contributions that fuel our ongoing mission.
On June 27th as a part of SF Pride, The Saint Francis Foundation proudly sponsored the Human Rights Summit, an event uniting advocates and leaders to advance human rights. Key highlights included speeches on community resilience, San Francisco’s rich queer activism history, and global LGBTQIA+ perspectives. Our board member and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Gender Institute Medical Director, Dr. Heidi Wittenberg, discussed building safe spaces with Dr. Alexis Petra. JM Jaffe, Director of Lyon-Martin Health Services, shared insights on gender-expansive communities; we proudly funded their capital campaign this year that will expand care by 25%. The summit showcased our commitment to inclusivity, equity, and justice.
Welcome Lindsay Caldwell to the Board of Directors
We are pleased to welcome Lindsay Caldwell to the Saint Francis Foundation Board of Directors.
With over 15 years of experience in HR across biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, consulting, and aerospace industries, Lindsay currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Metagenomi. Her extensive background includes roles at Gilead Sciences, Arup, Nestle Waters, and Northrop Grumman, contributing to her expertise in organizational effectiveness and change management. Holding an MBA and an MS from Claremont Graduate University, plus a BA from Arizona State University, Lindsay is well-prepared to help advance our foundation’s goals. Please join us in welcoming her.
SPOTLIGHT ON GRANTS
In April, we celebrated the success of National Health Care Decision Day at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. The event, focused on Advanced Care Planning, was well attended by over 100 Chinese-speaking older adults. We were privileged to collaborate with the Stupski Foundation and Self-Help for the Elderly in organizing this vital workshop. Special acknowledgment goes to Donnie Nelson, Nurse Manager of the Palliative Care Program at Saint Francis, who has been a pivotal leader in this initiative for many years.
We are delighted to announce that in May, with the generous backing of our donors, we were able to celebrate the outstanding staff at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital during Hospital Week. Thanks to these contributions, we expressed our gratitude to the compassionate healthcare professionals. Our donors’ steadfast support allows us to honor such moments, acknowledging the significant impact of the hospital staff’s dedication. We hope you feel proud to support their relentless commitment to health and well-being.
On March 13th, Lyon-Martin Health Services celebrated a major milestone with the launch of their Capital Campaign for a new 17,000-square-foot facility at 225 Valencia Street. This expansion will allow Lyon-Martin to increase their impact by serving an additional 1,000 patients annually, reinforcing their commitment to accessible healthcare for queer, transgender, and intersex individuals. The San Francis Foundation is proud to support this move, which not only enhances continuity of care but also promotes health equity and inclusivity in San Francisco. Join us in supporting Lyon-Martin’s crucial work and their ongoing mission to provide dignified, accessible care to those most in need.
Team members from the Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Gender Institute visited Maitri, a valued community partner located in the Castro District. Maitri, established in 1987, has evolved from an eight-bed hospice to a 15-bed facility providing comprehensive care, including hospice, respite, restorative, and gender affirmation support to those living with HIV/AIDS. We proudly support Maitri’s Affirmation Center Program, crucial for post-surgical care following gender confirmation procedures, particularly for those facing financial challenges. This visit reinforced our commitment to supporting vital services that significantly impact the community.
Grateful Patient: Lisa Nash
One August morning, as Lisa Nash was en route to her San Francisco office, an unexpected event unfolded. An underground transformer malfunctioned, resulting in a fiery explosion that left her severely burned and unconscious. The rapid and effective response from our dedicated firefighters, the compassionate medical staff, and comprehensive healthcare services at San Francis Memorial Hospital proved instrumental, ultimately saving her life and initiating an extraordinary journey to recovery.
Grateful for the pivotal role that Saint Francis played in her recovery, Lisa reflected,
Saint Francis was my lifeline during those challenging times. I am forever grateful for their unwavering commitment to my well-being.”
In a wonderful turn of events, we are delighted to share the news that Lisa Nash has recently been appointed as the Mayor of San Mateo, the largest city in the Peninsula. In light of this achievement, the Saint Francis Foundation would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lisa. Her inspiring journey serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergencies and underscores the critical importance of accessible, top-tier healthcare. We are proud to have played a part in Lisa’s remarkable story of triumph and wish her continued success in her new role as Mayor.
Honoring the Legacy of Reverend Cecil Williams: A Tribute from Saint Francis Foundation
We at Saint Francis Foundation are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Reverend Cecil Williams, Co-Founder and Minister of Liberation of GLIDE. Reverend Williams was a towering figure in the fight for civil and human rights and a beacon of hope and healing in San Francisco. His commitment to social justice, compassion, and diversity has left an indelible mark on our community.
Reverend Williams’ visionary leadership and passionate advocacy for the marginalized helped reshape the social fabric of our city. For over six decades, he tirelessly worked to expand the limits of spirituality and community engagement, touching countless lives through his ministry, activism, and writings.
At Saint Francis Foundation, we were fortunate to collaborate closely with GLIDE over the decades, particularly through our joint efforts at the Glide Health Services (GHS) and providing community-based navigation resources in our Emergency Department. This partnership was pivotal in providing vital healthcare services to the homeless and medically underserved residents of the Tenderloin neighborhood. Together, we have strived to uphold Reverend Williams’ legacy of service and advocacy, offering compassion and care to those most in need.
As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his remarkable life and contributions. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the GLIDE community and all who were inspired by Reverend Williams. His spirit will forever inspire us to continue our work with dedication and love.
sff@saintfrancisfoundation.org
415-470-0330
www.saintfrancisfoundation.org
155 Sansome St., Ste. 500
San Francisco, CA 94104