Sutter Medical Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. The Foundation’s Philanthropic Committee supports this mission by raising funds to improve patient care and to keep up with the latest advances in medicine – from helping terminally ill patients to live their final days with care and dignity, to utilizing advances in the early detection of cancer and cardiovascular disease, to caring for our youngest through an expanding pediatrics practice, and much more. By supporting the 2010 funding priorities selected by our medical staff, you can help ensure that Sutter Medical Foundation can continue to deliver excellent care throughout the Yuba-Sutter community to all patients regardless of ability to pay.

Technologies

Bone Density Screening Technology
Osteoporosis affects more than eight million women and more than two million men. It is responsible for nearly 1.5 million fractures a year, including 300,000 hip fractures, 700,000 fractures of the spine, and 250,000 wrist fractures. While Sutter North’s DEXA scan equipment provides the most accurate method to test bone density, we are committed to enhancing our quality of care by upgrading our current equipment with the latest software and technology available. This new technology will provide the clearest results possible allowing for even more accurate diagnosis and early interventions.
The technology upgrade will cost $8,730.

Advances in Cardiology Technology
Heart Disease is the number one killer of American men and women resulting in 25-30% of all deaths in the U.S. last year alone. Within the Yuba-Sutter area, heart failure deaths have exceeded the state average by as much as146%. Sutter North plans to upgrade our current facilities with advanced cardiology equipment and technologies designed to improve efficiency and accuracy in early detection, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. This new technology will allow for the electronic transfer of test results directly into the patient’s Electronic Health Record giving physicians faster access to high-quality test results and ultimately saving more lives.
The new equipment and technology upgrade will cost more than $375,000.

Equipment

Navigator Pro-2 – Newborn Audiology
Hearing plays a vital role in the acquisition of speech and language as well as the achievement of other developmental milestones in young children. Early detection and intervention for infants with hearing deficits is imperative. Here locally, when an infant fails the newborn hearing test they must be referred to Sutter Memorial or UC Davis for further testing. This involves a 100 mile round trip and usually means one or both parents have to take a day off work. With an average of 40 infants a month delivered locally in need of this additional testing, it makes sense that bringing this equipment and technology to Sutter Medical Foundation, North Division will make a huge difference to many families in our community.
The new equipment will cost $29,600.

Tats Off Laser
Even after making the commitment to change their lifestyle, the stigma of gang related tattoos haunt individuals and can create a barrier to employment and the road to becoming a contributing member of society. Tats Off is a community collaboration with law enforcement, the judicial system, numerous social services agencies and Sutter North Medical Foundation to assist former gang members in the removal of their tattoos. The program support is for the leases of a laser specifically designed for today’s often complex gang tattoos. Without the laser the program is not possible.
The laser cost $36,000 annually.

Programs

Children’s Bereavement Program Support
Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one, yet the duration and intensity of grief varies for each individual. When death comes to a sibling, parent, grandparent or other family member, children’s emotions can overwhelm them. The Children’s Bereavement Program at Sutter North Medical Foundation offers a range of services that provide an opportunity and environment for children to grieve.
Program staff and supplies $50,000 annually.


Patient Needs and Assistance Fund
Sutter North Hospice provides quality, compassionate palliative care and support services to terminally ill patients and their families. Funds from this program are used to meet the needs of these patients and their families allowing them to live their life to fullest and or provide a safe and secure environment for their final days. In the past the fund has covered travel expenses, purchased groceries, paid for respite care and many other basic life needs.
The estimated annual cost for this program is $40,000.