St. Joseph Hospital in Orange has announced the launch of a $50 million fundraising campaign that will fuel its Innovating for a Healthier Community initiative. The funds will help expand the hospital’s mission of caring for the underserved and also expand its emergency services.
Local business and community leaders, doctors and medical staff were among some 500 who attended The Gooding and Immell Families Celebration 2015, an annual gala that was held Oct. 17 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel. It was the site of the fundraising campaign’s official launch.
“It’s an honor to lead this special foundation event that makes an impact for so many residents of Orange County,” said Valerie and Geoff Fearns, co-chairs of this year’s gala. “It will be a special celebration and one that marks the launch of a campaign to improve the health and welfare of our community.”
The evening included a reception, silent auction and a raffle featuring travel packages, electronics, sporting packages, a KIA Soul and items created by the Sisters of St Joseph of Orange.
The highlight of the evening was live entertainment by Jay Leno, former host of the “Tonight Show.”
The funds raised at the event, as well as ongoing contributions, will fund extensive renovation to improve patient privacy and reduce wait times at the Emergency Care Center which sees some 82,000 patients annually.
Additionally, The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment will feature new technological developments, including the latest PET/CT scanner, a three-dimensional tomosynthesis mammography, a linear accelerator used in target radiation therapy, and Intraoperative Radiation Therapy treatment used after lumpectomy procedures, as well as support for Cancer Research and Navigator programs.
St. Joseph Hospital will also acquire a new 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which has double the imaging power of typical hospital MRI units.
The new Structural Heart Disease Program will concentrate on correcting congenital and serious heart conditions that have traditionally required open-heart surgery – using minimally invasive techniques. Best of all, those who wouldn’t be able to tolerate open-heart procedures – older seniors and very young children – will lead better, healthier lives.
Nurses at St. Joseph Hospital have earned the Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and will receive support through the Nursing Excellence fund, which will include an endowment component, for resources to improve patient care and clinical expertise.
The Care for the Poor program helps families who are struggling financially to improve their health through the hospital’s on site and mobile clinics.
Past support helped to fund the hospital’s Center for Breast Imaging and Diagnosis and The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment.