Health First Foundation

Health First Foundation, Inc. (hffi) is the fundraising arm of Health First, whose mission is to help improve the Health and well-being of residents in the community by raising funds to support and advance the mission of Health First and its family of charitable healthcare providers. 100% of the funds raised go to direct support in the following areas: capital construction and renovation, capital equipment and technology, patient care, program services, special projects, education and clinical excellence, indigent care and patient education.during fy24, more than 4,434 individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations supported the mission and vision of hffi. Through their generosity and the dedicated stewardship of the resources entrusted to us, hffi was able to provide over $889,194 in program support in the following areas: capital equipment and technology, patient care, program services, special projects, education and clinical excellence, indigent care and patient education. Gifts were used to advance medical technology, empower clinical associates through scholarships and training programs, and expand patient care through programs like glucometer test strips for indigent patients, and grief and bereavement support for children and families.fy24 also saw an increased need for guardian angel grants funded by donations to the compassionate care fund. These grants assist eligible patients with transportation, prescriptions, and medical equipment and are coordinated by our clinical care teams. Philanthropic support of hffi also provides funding for Health First aging services which served over 4,527 caregivers and their loved ones with services such as: -memory evaluation and management -future planning and care coordination with family members and physicians -medication review and education -fall prevention education with gait and balance exam and treatment -caregiving training and support endowed funds held by Health First totaled $1,076,311 at end of fy24. Four of these endowed funds, the mike means larry garrison endowment for nursing excellence, the igo endowment fund, the henry nursing endowment and the bimda nursing scholarship endowment, along with gifts from the community and Health First associates provided a total of $74,500 in nursing scholarship awards to 33 associates pursuing nursing degrees. Donations also funded scholarships to train associates for the roles of medical assisting, respiratory therapy assistant, certified nursing assistant, and supported ongoing clinical training for nurses. Gifts were also used to support training and supplies for team lavender a coordinated response team to address the spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs of healthcare workers following adverse events and accumulated stress.donations enhanced patient care by supplying funds for breast cancer treatment handbooks for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and "eating well through cancer" books to support the nutritional needs of patients receiving cancer treatment. Gifts to hffi also provided: -materials for 'reach out and read' literacy program through Health First pediatrics -supplies for hospice programs including love stitches and forever a hero plus thanksgiving meals for families with a loved one in hospice care. -child life specialist program supplies for the pediatric ed at holmes regional medical center- ongoing support for hospice of Health First's bright star programs and campsdonor support helped advance medical technology, expand patient care and empower clinical excellence throughout Health First.