ST. FRANCIS FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

Five hundred people gathered at the Holiday Inn Convention Center Tuesday night for the 20th anniversary celebration of St. Francis Medical Center Foundation.

Edythe Davis, executive director, was one of the recipients honored for her work and dedication over the past 20 years.

Thrilled but embarrassed were the sentiments expressed by Davis to gifts of an engraved silver tray and a dozen red roses.

"I like doing for other people," she said. "I don't like them doing things for me."

Davis came to St. Francis in 1975, and helped launch St. Francis Foundation the next year. The mission of the Foundation is to actively seek contributions, invest them wisely and disburse them judiciously to the benefit of St. Francis patients.

Patient revenues alone wouldn't have been enough to support the acquisition of all the new equipment and facilities at St. Francis, said Joseph Low Jr., president of the Foundation.

Over the years, the Foundation has turned over more than $7 million to the medical center from nearly 4,225 donor families. The Auxiliary has given $780,478 and the Friends of St. Francis has raised $1,018,563.

Davis, who refers to the Foundation as "a wonderful big family of caring and lovely people," said she will retire in the spring. Her colleagues are skeptical, although she already is planning to volunteer her time to various community activities, if and when she does retire.

Several groups were recognized for their contribution to the Foundation, including Friends, the Auxiliary and the Heritage Club, established for donors who have donated through their wills or estates.

Crystals of appreciation went to donors who reached new levels of contribution, from the Sustaining level, with donations of $1,000 to $4,999, all the way up to the Philanthropist level, with donations of $200,000 and over.

The major fund-raiser during the year is the annual golf tournament, which has raised nearly $300,000 over the years. Sponsors who had participated in five to nine of these tournaments were also recognized.

"It's a chance to acknowledge our givers and pat ourselves on the back for doing a good job," said Low, who was made an honorary member upon retiring from the board after 14 years.

Other honorary members included Judy Wilferth, who had been on the board six years, and Carrie Suedekum, who had been on the board 16 years. She had a health-care scholarship put in her name for her work with the scholarship fund.

"Next year we will give one more scholarship and call it the 'Carrie SuedeKum Healthcare Scholarship' to be given to a deserving young person dedicated to caring for our patients," Low said.

In addition, other outgoing officers were recognized: Jerry Lorberg, vice president; Bob Basler, secretary; and Jim Hillin, treasurer.

The new officers are Lorberg, president; Ken Dobbins, vice president; Carole Cozean, secretary; and Mike Bollinger, treasurer.

James Sexton was also introduced, making his first official public appearance after taking office as the new president and CEO of St. Francis on Monday.