Asante Foundation hits $35 million milestone

Asante Foundation has surpassed the $35 million milestone just four years into its 10-year, $50 million capital campaign, AsanteForward. This is a result of 9,335 donors who’ve contributed to Asante to help improve the lives of the people who live in our community now and for generations to come.

“The community continues to amaze us with its generosity and commitment to transforming health care in Southern Oregon,” said Andrea Reeder, director of campaign and operations at Asante Foundation. “Philanthropy enables Asante to expand its facilities and services for patients and enhance the programs and capabilities that happen within our walls.”

In 2021, Asante received the largest gift in its history — $5 million from Mary and Dick Heimann — whose names have a permanent mark on the new regional cancer center in Medford. Recently, other community leaders came forward with three historic gifts for AsanteForward:

• George and Susan Alameda gave $1 million toward the patient pavilion, naming the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• Paul and Geertje de Vos donated $1 million toward the Heimann Cancer Center, naming the healing garden.
• Wanda Olsrud contributed $1 million toward the Heimann Cancer Center and women’s and pediatric services in the new patient pavilion.

“These investment opportunities don’t come around every decade. The need is there. I can point at that [pavilion] and say, ‘We were a part of that’,” said George Alameda. “Asante is a cornerstone of the community. We’re glad to be able to support the AsanteForward campaign with our gift. We encourage everyone to take a moment to consider how they, too, can contribute their time or resources in creating a lasting legacy for our community.”

Since 2019, community contributions have helped:

• Implement the first two phases of the Behavioral Health Initiative, including a new Behavioral Health Unit at ARRMC, which opened in June 2020, and rolled out trauma-informed care education and training called The Sanctuary Model.
• Expanded ATRMC’s Emergency Department and installed a new helipad. The expanded ED fully opened in December 2020, and the helipad was installed in August 2021.
• Built the new Mary and Dick Heimann Cancer Center in Medford and expanded Helen K. Spears Cancer Center in Grants Pass. Both facilities opened in January 2022.
• Broke ground on the new six-story patient pavilion at ARRMC in November 2020. This facility will be home to a new pediatric unit, cardiac care, critical care (CCU, ICU and IMCU) and advanced surgical services. Construction is expected to be completed in fall of 2023.
• In 2021, a new campaign component was launched for AACH to become an Age-Friendly hospital, addressing the unique care needs for the aging population in Southern Oregon.

Fundraising continues for all campaign initiatives, including programs and support services that will help patients who receive care within the new and enhanced facilities.

“When you look at what it takes to make advancements like this possible, community investment is an important piece of the puzzle that allows Asante to continue our expansion efforts, even during challenging times,” said Scott Kelly, president and CEO of Asante. “As your local, non-profit health system we believe it is our duty to be here for the community, and we’re grateful the community trusts Asante with its health care and financial contributions.”

To learn more or get involved, visit Asante Foundation.