Page 15 - Kadlec Regional Medical Center | 2012 Community Report

A Foundation of Support
“We’re somewhere between an evolution and a revolution in developing a culture of
healthcare philanthropy in this region,” says Larry Christensen, Kadlec VP and Foundation
executive director.
Over the past five years, the Foundation has raised more than $13 million for Pediatrics
and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “We couldn’t have done that without tre-
mendous community support,” notes Christensen. “We work hard to be good stewards of
donor resources and equally hard to meet patient needs.”
Christensen adds the Foundation has strong support inside the hospital as well. Some
500 Kadlec employees have contributed $400,000+ to the NICU campaign. Kadlec Health
System board members have all contributed to the Foundation, as has the entire Kadlec
executive team. The Foundation is nearing $1 million in donations from the local medical
community – including physicians, chiropractors, dentists and many other professionals.
The Foundation has passed the halfway mark in the campaign to raise $10 million to
remodel and expand the NICU. Kadlec operates the only Level III NICU in southeast
Washington and northeast Oregon. Over the past five years, only 10% of the fragile
babies cared for came from Richland.
The NICU is scheduled to grow from 3,000 to 15,000 square feet. It will have 17 large
open-bay areas for infants and parents, nine private (isolation) rooms – including one
reserved for multiple births – and a large family room area. Construction of the unit will
begin immediately following successful completion of the fundraising campaign.
“Our family is forever
grateful to Dr. Hadeed
for saving our little girl.
She was born at Kadlec
in 2006. Bless all of the
doctors and nurses that
work in the NICU with the
little miracles!”
– J.B.
Tri-Cities