Valley Health Foundation Vhf

Programs: Direct support of santa clara valley health and hospital system which includes valley medical center. In an effort to expand, enhance and improve existing services, vmc foundation supports services and programs that are under-funded by other revenue streams and that serve the most needy in silicon valley, by the following:a campaign to support the "new vmc" - in late 2008, with the passage of measure a on the november ballot, vmc began plans to replace seismically outdated portions of the main hospital. The vmc foundation at once began planning for an ambitious, multi-year capital campaign to outfit the new building with equipment and technology needs. The new "sobrato pavilion," as it is now called, opened in december 2017. A campaign to support a women and children's center - the opening of the sobrato pavilion (see above) will allow the current main hospital to be re-purposed as a center focusing on women and children's care. The foundation is raising funds to provide this building with an artistic/aesthetic upgrade befitting a free-standing women/children's hospital (san jose is currently the largest city in the united states without one). This multi-year effort is the largest project the foundation has ever undertaken. Violence prevention - the santa clara county public health department is leading a community-wide coalition to address violence in east san jose as a public health concern. As such, the foundation has been invited to be part of this coalition and has been chosen as the "wellness fund," where dollars raised to support the work of the coalition will be kept and administered. The foundation's ceo is active on the coalition's leadership team. Farmers market - the foundation implemented a farmers market on the campus of valley medical center for the benefit of patients and staff. Running may through november, it is now contributing to healthier diets, which supports a major public health initiative championed by the county board of supervisors. Spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation - securing grants and gifts to enhance the world-class care provided by vmc's sci/tbi unit is a major priority, since doing so not only helps patients obtain the best treatment for these kinds of injuries but also helps attract patients with private insurance. This program benefits the vmc financially beyond what philanthropy alone can do. Turning wheels for kids - the foundation ensures that children of low-income families can have a brand-new bicycle, promoting outdoor exercise and battling the epidemic of childhood obesity. For the years ended december 31, 2017 and 2016, the volunteers who run this inspiring program bought, built and gave more than 3,300 and 3,000 bikes, respectively, to children in silicon valley. Neonatal intensive care unit ("nicu") support - vmc's nicu provides the highest level of care to hundreds of tiny, premature infants each year. The foundation, with the help of first 5, rotary clubs in silicon valley and other philanthropists, provide technology and social service support to these babies and families. Education and issue advocacy - the foundation is one of the only methods that santa clara county's public health and hospital system have to promote the excellent and essential services it provides to all residents of the county, regardless of ability to pay. Public knowledge of these services, many of which are provided by vmc and no other hospital in the bay area, can have policy implications. For this reason, the foundation is dedicated to supporting community education and outreach about vmc's services, how local and national policy changes may affect the health systems, and how increased understanding of vmc's role in caring for the community can drive donations, political support, and public perception. Additionally, expanding the understanding of how issues like community violence and homelessness are health crises and how santa clara county residents can help solve these crises has become a growing priority.