A Foundation for Patient Health and Healing

The Salinas Valley Health Foundation supports Salinas Valley Health in our mission to provide quality healthcare to our patients and to improve the health and well-being of our community. To do this, the Foundation must pay attention to the areas where fundraising and assistance will have the most impact.

Through the following new and ongoing projects, the Foundation has helped improve the care experience for our youngest patients, helped patients fulfill both medical and nonmedical needs that affect their quality of life, and expanded care access in our communities.

Playroom for Pediatric Patients Is a Breath of Fresh Air

On April 17, 2023, we cut the ribbon on a refreshed pediatric playroom on the third floor of our medical center. The treehouse theme transports children and their families to a fun and magical forest. Ceiling artwork selected by our pediatric staff gives patients and visitors the perspective of looking up through the branches at a beautiful sky. Brand-new toys and an interactive play wall keep our pediatric patients entertained during their stay.

Funding from the Haynes Charitable Foundation supported the opening of our original playroom in the 1990s and its first refresh in the early 2000s, and the same generous foundation helped make this newest top-to-bottom transformation possible.

Assisting Adult and Pediatric Patients With Needs Beyond Our Walls

Our Foundation-supported Patient Assistance Program addresses the needs of patients outside our medical center. After identifying patients who could benefit from assistance, medical center care staff can connect with our social workers or administrative supervisors to determine what kind of support they can offer patients after they are discharged. Patients’ circumstances vary and provisions may include medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and prosthetics; health services not covered by insurance; and short-term food or transportation assistance. Our social workers have access to a supply of Foundation-funded gift cards they can distribute, at their discretion, for up to $250 per patient. If a patient’s needs require a significant purchase or more funding, staff can seek approval from the Foundation for additional support.

A young child plays with a treehouse-themed toy set in a pediatric playroom.
A child enjoying our pediatric playroom.

Young patients and their families have a newly remodeled treehouse-themed playroom to enjoy thanks to the generous support of our Foundation and the Haynes Charitable Foundation.

The Salinas Valley Health Foundation also helps local children access medically beneficial equipment and services that can help them live healthier, happier lives through the “Making More Miracles” pediatric medical needs assistance program. Donations made through our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partnership help fund these needs that are not otherwise covered by insurance. Parents, guardians and Court-Appointed Special Advocates may apply for support for children living in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Examples of previously approved support include mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers and gait trainers; speech and language, art, aqua, and equestrian therapies; assistive communication devices; custom orthotics and prosthetics; and special equipment for the home like wheelchair ramps and bathing equipment.

Care That Meets Patients Where They Are

Generous donors to the Salinas Valley Health Foundation made it possible for us to launch our Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic in 2020, and their support allows us to continue increasing access to care for those in medically underserved areas. The Mobile Clinic provides preventive and primary care where it is needed most. The state of-the-art, 40-foot vehicle features two exam rooms, Wi-Fi, laboratory capabilities and educational functionality.

It is staffed with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, medical assistant, and a community health advocate, and all services are currently provided free of charge to patients. At the Mobile Clinic, patients can receive primary care services like annual and sports physicals, women’s healthcare, health screenings, simple urgent care, flu vaccines, flu and COVID-19 testing, and health education and resources to manage chronic conditions. Since 2020, the Foundation has raised more than $947,461 for the Mobile Clinic, including $409,325 for operating expenses, $375,000 for capital expenses and $163,136 for patient assistance. Increasing access to care is an effort fueled by philanthropy.

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