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West Penn Hospital Foundation Raises $8.7 Million; School of Nursing Renovation in Progress
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation’s “Touching Tomorrow” capital campaign has successfully raised $8.7 million, of which $6 million will be used to renovate The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing. More than 1,000 donors gave generously to provide future students with an exceptional learning environment.
The renovation aims to preserve the charm and history of the 83-year-old building and honor its legacy, the generations of nursing students who went on to provide the best and most compassionate care to patients both locally and globally.
At the same time, the renovation will create a welcoming, modern environment for students in a program that is enjoying unprecedented popularity. Enrollment at the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing has more than tripled since 2002.
“Our donors have made an important investment in quality nursing care,” said B.J. Leber, President of The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation. “They truly embraced the concept of our capital campaign’s theme, ‘Touching Tomorrow.’ We thank them for their generosity, which will benefit nurses and patients for many years to come.”
David L. McClenahan, Chairman of the West Penn Allegheny Health System Board of Directors, and David Burstin, Chairman of The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Board of Directors, serve as Co-Chairs of the “Touching Tomorrow” capital campaign.
The remaining $2.7 million has been or will be used for a variety of other projects including support for West Penn Hospital’s medical library.
The School of Nursing’s classrooms, residential spaces, common areas and exterior are all in need of significant structural improvements. The six-story building needs a sprinkler system, a handicapped-accessible ramp and an elevator.
Renovations will also make the building more energy-efficient, reduce operating costs, and make residential, administrative and classroom spaces more functional and inviting.
Already a number of projects are complete, including replacement of all windows and lintels, masonry and terracotta repairs, replacement of the main roof, gutters and downspouts, as well as new roofs, ceilings, floors and railings for two side porches, and excavation needed to provide drainage and basement water abatement.
Renovations currently in progress include installation of a handicapped accessible ramp and a new elevator.
Plans are now underway for the second phase of the renovations, which will include upgrading the building’s bathrooms and showers, kitchens, lighting, and cosmetics, installing sprinkler and alarm systems, adding wireless network, renovating classrooms and dorm rooms, and replacing furniture and equipment.
“With these important renovations in place, we will be better able to attract, retain and serve future nursing students,” said Nancy E. Cobb, Director of the School of Nursing. “We are grateful for our donors’ foresight and generosity.”
A recent major renovation made room for the new STAR Center: The Simulation, Teaching and Academic Research Center at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital. This state-of-the-art training facility for nurses, medical students and other healthcare professionals was made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Highmark Foundation, a $105,000 grant from The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation, and a $97,500 Workforce Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Medical simulators are anatomically realistic models of patients that provide highly realistic training experiences for nursing and medical students. Simulators are the “gold standard” of health education today and ultimately enhance patient safety as well as student training.
The West Penn Hospital School of Nursing has a total enrollment of 141 students. Besides nursing students, the building also serves Temple University medical students and nursing faculty from both West Penn Hospital and Clarion University of Pennsylvania. West Penn’s affiliation with Clarion allows students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing without leaving Pittsburgh.
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital is an academic medical center with two hospital campuses that serve Pittsburgh and the surrounding five-state area: The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, comprised of 500 beds, and The Western Pennsylvania Hospital - Forbes Regional Campus in Monroeville with 318 beds.
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh was recognized in 2006 as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh is the first and only hospital in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania to receive this prestigious 4-year designation, which recognizes excellence in nursing and quality patient care.
Foundation Sponsoring
a $15,000 Cash Raffle!
The Foundation will sponsor a $15,0000 cash raffle with the proceeds benefiting the hospital. Tickets can be purchased for $100 for a chance to win $15,000 cash- only 300 tickets will be sold! As in years past, employees can purchase group or individual tickets and invite family and friends to buy a ticket as well. The winning ticket for the cash raffle will be drawn at the Friendship Ball on March 15, 2008.
Mrs. C. Lee (Norma) Walter Won the 2007 MINI Cooper/Cash Raffle! The winning ticket was drawn at the Friendship Ball on February 24, 2007. Proceeds from the raffle were used to renovate the Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing building.
For additional information, please contact the Foundation at 412-578-5153 or by email at foundation@wpahs.org.
Click here to see the Official Rules.
Thank you to our 2007
Platinum Sponsors:
Former patient and his sister donate to West Penn Burn Center
Siblings Mark 25th Year of Helping West Penn Burn Patients
For Ronald A. Hereda and his sister Ruth E. Hereda, December 5, 1982, is etched in their memory as the start of their healing and helping association with West Penn Burn Center. On that day, Ron was brought to West Penn with extensive electrical burns suffered during service as a medic on ambulance call.
Mr. Hereda spent 64 days in the Burn Center, followed by six months in a rehabilitation facility, but he eventually healed. Each year near the anniversary of his ordeal, he thanks the Burn Center for their care with a personal donation.
On November 14, 2007, Mr. Hereda brought his donation in person with his sister Ms. Hereda, who also brought a donation, to support the Summer Camp for Burned Children.
Both siblings have a lifetime of experience helping prevent and heal burns through volunteering with the Fireman's Association of the State of Pennsylvania (FASP). Mr. Hereda joined the FASP at age 14. "Dad and uncle Pete were officers," he says, "so while they were at meetings, I manned the office."
"I've been with the FASP Ladies Auxiliary since I was 18," says Ms. Hereda. "Each year we hold a big raffle at our convention and donate the money we raise in alternate years to West Penn Burn Center."
While visiting in the Burn Center on November 14, the Heredas reminisced with I. William Goldfarb, MD, medical director, and Pam Campbell, RN, who cared for Ron when he was a patient here 25 years ago, and with Ariel Aballay, MD, burn surgeon, and other current unit staff.
Ron and Ruth Hereda shown here with Dr. Goldfarb, Medical Director.
Ron and Ruth Hereda shown here with Dr. Goldfarb, Medical Director; Burn Center nurses and Dr. Aballay.
Ruth Hereda presented Dr. Aballay with a check for Burn Camp from the Women's Auxiliary to the Firemans Association of the State of Pennsylvania.
West Penn Hospital First Hospital in Region to Attain Magnet Status
Coveted Designation Recognizes Superior Nursing Services and Care
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital has been awarded Magnet recognition status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). West Penn Hospital is the first and only hospital in western Pennsylvania to receive this prestigious designation and is now among the top 4 percent of all healthcare facilities in the world recognized by the ANCC for excellence in nursing and quality patient care.
The Magnet Recognition Program was developed by the ANCC to recognize health care organizations that provide not only excellence in nursing, but also the highest quality of patient care at all levels throughout the hospital. A Magnet hospital attracts and retains professional nurses who experience a high degree of professional and personal satisfaction in their practice.
Magnet hospitals exhibit improved patient outcomes, enhanced nursing practice, increased staff morale and improved recruitment and retention. The Magnet Recognition Program provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care that they can expect to receive.
Tenth Annual Golf Classic A Success!
September 17, 2007 ~ Pittsburgh Field Club, Fox Chapel
Over $150,000 was raised in support of West Penn Hospital.
Save this Date:
September 15, 2008 ~ Next Year's Annual Golf Classic
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