Providence’s Area of Greatest Need (Here For You Campaign)

This fund honors the legacy of the Daughters of Charity since Providence’s inception in 1905 when the Daughters met the needs of our community by opening Providence, Waco’s first hospital. This Fund’s goal is to continue to meet Providence’s greatest needs. This fund is allocated via the Providence Foundation’s spring and fall grant cycles and through special grant funding. On average, Providence Foundation awards over $300,000 each year to departments and clinics of Ascension Providence to support advanced technology and equipment to provide unexpected comforts and the best care possible to our patients and community.

Click the links below to see your impact:

• Grants funded in Spring 2023

Breast Health “Pink Partners” Fund

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and it’s vital for breast cancer to be diagnosed early for better patient outcomes. Donations to the Pink Partners Fund will be used to provide mammograms and follow up biopsies at the Ascension Providence Breast Health Center for uninsured and underinsured women in Central Texas, to ensure they have access to this life-saving exam.

Impact:

2023
# of patients served 281
# of cancers detected 7

2022
# of patients served 269
# of cancers detected 3

Mandi, a Pink Partner Recipient’s, story:

On Mandi’s 40th birthday, she found a lump in her right breast.

“‘Was it a lymph node? Cyst? Surely it wasn’t cancer, right?’ I tried to remain calm, but it appeared so quickly and was large enough there wasn’t a question in my mind that something wasn’t right. I hadn’t scheduled or had any previous mammograms. ‘I was too young for this; I couldn’t have cancer! I have four kids…a husband…a family that needs me.’ The anxiety set in. The worry was all encompassing. Part of my panic was the fact that I knew something wasn’t right and the fear of so many unknowns. The other part of my panic was that I didn’t have health insurance at the time. I stay at home with our 4 children, and my husband’s occupation means he often changes employers, and at this time, we didn’t have consistent coverage. ‘How much was this going to cost for the initial scans? How much would treatment cost if this WAS cancer?’ Panic…panic!”

At her first appointment with the Ascension Providence Breast Health Center, Mandi learned about the Pink Partners Program that pays for mammograms and biopsies for women who are under or uninsured. She was approved for funding for her first mammogram, and again, when it was determined she needed a biopsy, the Pink Partners Fund was able to help.
“When I found out I was approved for assistance, it felt like an answered prayer! That was one less worry for my husband and myself.”

On July 13, 2021 Mandi’s world changed. She got the phone call that no one ever wants to receive; she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Stage 2B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. After the call she knew she was in for quite the battle.
After a double mastectomy, removal of 12 lymph nodes, reconstructive surgery, 6 months of chemo, and 28 rounds of radiation, on May 18, 2022, Mandi was in remission.

“There were no signs of cancer! We did it! And I mean WE because without the support and amazing care I received from Ascension Providence, my team of fabulous doctors, and the support I received from Pink Partners in getting a quick diagnosis, this could have been a different scenario. My family and I will forever be grateful for all of the support the foundation provided us during such a difficult and terrifying time. Being able to ease the financial burden when you are so scared of what is to come is something you cannot fully grasp until you are in need.”

Through the Pink Partners Fund, we are able to live out our mission of serving all people, regardless of ability to pay.

Medical Mission at Home

This fund supports Ascension Providence’s Medical Mission at Home, a one-day free healthcare event, organized and implemented by volunteers, that will provide individuals and families in need with access to primary medical care, health screenings, education, and access to community resources. Access to affordable healthcare remains a challenge for many, and Medical Mission at Home is part of Ascension Providence’s national commitment to reach individuals who are uninsured and need better access to healthcare services. It’s about more than one day of free healthcare- this event also helps connect those who struggle medically and/or financially with long-term medical homes and insurances.

Ascension Providence hosted it’s fourth Medical Mission at Home on Saturday, August 13, 2023. The free healthcare clinic provided care for more than 1,300 people. Of the care provided, Ascension Providence was able to provide 112 sports physicals, 43 mammograms, 150 vouchers for eye exams and glasses, provided glucose checks and diabetes education, and filled many prescriptions. Additionally, Ascension Providence volunteers washed hundreds of feet and gave out more than 1,000 pairs of socks and over 100 pairs of shoes.

Nearly 30 other community partners were on site to offer resources, including Waco Family Medicine Dental, HOT Workforce Solutions, Mission Waco, Caritas, Salvation Army, Waco PD and many others. Waco Family Medicine Dental scheduled 111 appointments to receive extractions, fillings and/or cleanings. Waco PD handed out 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies, Carter BloodCare collected 12 units of blood (half of these being first time donors), Caritas handed out over 900 bags of food, 10 liver scans for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were performed by Impact Research Institute, and the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District did hundreds of childhood immunizations and vaccines.

The next Medical Mission at home will be in 2025.

John F. Sheehy, Jr. Education Fund

Providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary educational opportunities is vital to providing quality care to all patients. This Ascension Providence fund will support a multidisciplinary education plan in which Ascension Providence Foundation will provide annual educational funding for all eligible nurses, clinical staff and non-clinical associates. This fund will also support clinical staff with annual tuition reimbursement, certification reimbursements, annual travel to national conferences, annual CNE educational symposiums and additional off-cycle critical capital funding needed to better support our patients. This fund is named after the late John F. Sheehy, Jr., co-founder of Providence Foundation and long-time Providence supporter.

Each spring, scholarship applications open for all Ascension Texas associates pursuing a nursing degree, and Ascension Providence had three nurses selected to receive $5,000 scholarships through the John F. Sheehy, Jr. Education Fund.

Below are the Ascension Providence associates that received the 2023 scholarships:

Audrey Patterson is a certified nurse midwife at Ascension Providence. She is currently pursuing a DNP at Frontier Nursing University.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation to the scholarship which will fund my entire fall term. It was truly an answer to prayer and a burden lifted!

I am entering a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) program this October, where I am hoping to expand my knowledge and skill set to positively impact my current patients and teach future nurses at the university level and beyond. Your financial gift means so much to me and I feel that its purpose extends beyond my own personal and professional goals. I believe that your tangible support will benefit the lives of so many women and their families here in our central Texas community.

Thank you for your kindness and support. I feel humbled and honored to be receiving this scholarship.”

Araceli Roman is a registered nurse at Ascension Providence. She is currently pursuing a BSN at Texas Tech University.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the 2023 Ascension Texas Nursing Scholarship that I was awarded. I am extremely honored and appreciative to have been chosen as a recipient.

Receiving this scholarship has been a significant turning point in my educational journey, as it has provided me with the financial support necessary to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in nursing. I am delighted to inform you that I have successfully embarked upon this program and am making steady progress towards my goal of graduating next year.

This scholarship has not only assisted me in gaining access to quality education but has also opened up new avenues for personal and professional growth. With my degree in nursing, I will be equipped to advance my career and explore diverse opportunities within the healthcare field. I am excited about the prospects of making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and contributing to the betterment of society as a whole.

As a full-time working mom, my aspirations extend beyond my personal growth. I am determined to set an example for my baby and be a role model by demonstrating the importance of education, hard work, and perseverance. By pursuing my dreams and bettering myself, I aim to create a brighter future for my child and instill within him the values of dedication and resilience.

Your generosity and belief in my potential have truly touched my heart. This scholarship has not only alleviated my financial burden but has also provided me with the encouragement and motivation to pursue my dreams wholeheartedly. I will forever be grateful for this incredible opportunity that you have bestowed upon me.

Once again, thank you from the depths of my heart for your kindness, support, and investment in my educational journey. Your unwavering commitment to empowering aspiring nurses like myself is commendable and truly inspiring.”

Eidel Adams is a registered nurse at Ascension Providence. She is currently pursuing a MSN at Western Governors University with plans to become a family nurse practitioner.

“I would like to thank you personally from the bottom of my heart for your gracious donation to make this scholarship possible. Through your generosity, I am able to pursue my dream of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.”

Ascension Living Long Term Care Endowment

Donations will be placed in a special fund for long-term care facility needs. Donations to this fund are invested, and the earnings are used for Ascension Living: Providence Village’s greatest needs. This fund is administered through the Foundation Office.

In 2022, through this Endowment, Providence Foundation funded a driveway and sidewalk expansion and new patio furnishing.

The driveway expansion is important because when cars enter the main entrance for Providence Village located off American Plaza Drive or via HWY 6 service road, there is no way to completely drive around the community. The inability to drive completely around Providence Village’s campus has in the past caused emergency response delays and is extremely frustrating for others. The sidewalk also did not previously encircle the Providence Village campus, and over time, 33 sections of concrete had settled causing tripping hazards to those who walked on the previous sidewalk, and it also made it impossible to use for those in wheelchairs. With the repaired and extended sidewalk, residents and others now have a safe sidewalk space to exercise outside. Additionally, Providence Village inpatient therapy patients (and residents) are being encouraged to increase their endurance by walking the sidewalks during nice weather as an alternative to walking in hallways. Associates also utilize this space when they are on break and want to exercise. The new patio furnishings replaced patio furniture that was original to the opening of Providence Village dating back to 2003. The new patio furniture is made of material that doesn’t absorb the heat and withstands drastic changes in weather and temperature and is specifically designed with senior citizens in mind, which is an upgrade compared to the previous furnishings. The refreshing of Providence Village patios encourages residents and associates to use the patios more frequently, which can include many health benefits to be in fresh air and sunshine.

 Agape Fund

Donations are used to provide assistance to patients to ensure holistic care and that their healing process continues even after they leave our care. The Agape Fund provides prescription medications to patients who require medication for home therapy and who cannot obtain their medications due to financial reasons. Other services and items that are provided that patients may need include transportation (bus fare, Greyhound fare, Lyft, etc.), meal tickets, and clothing. Added in 2022, this fund now also provides local hotel stays for parents with newborns receiving care in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), when the parents are unable to readily travel between the hospital and their home. Donations will be used to provide these services to patients being discharged from the Hospital or Emergency Room. This Fund does not cover direct hospital costs, medical equipment or ambulance services.

Fiscal Year 2024 (as of April 2024) Impact:

• Provided 886 prescriptions/medical supplies totaling over $16,000
• Served 220 patients

Ascension Providence Foundation Associate Hardship Support Program

This fund was created during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help associates facing financial hardships to meet emergent needs such as rent, mortgage, utilities, medical expenses, expenses related to the death of an immediate family member, urgent auto repairs (excludes wear and tear), furnace/sewer repairs, air conditioning & water heater repairs and other unexpected needs. This fund is a no pay back financial assistance program that directly supports associates in need who have been employed for at least 90 days (working at least 24 hours/week). This fund supports all facilities across the ministry.

Calendar Year 2023 Impact:

Over $9,000 gifted
13 associates served

 Daughters of Charity Employee Relief Fund

At Ascension Providence, we understand that in order to care for others, we must first make sure our Ascension Providence associates’ needs are met. This fund is an interest free pay-back loan program that directly supports associates in need who are in good standing and have been employed for at least a year. This fund supports all facilities across the ministry and is administered through the Administration Office.

Calendar Year 2023 Impact:

• $218,584 loaned interest free
• 430 associates served