FALL 2010

Connecting Faith and Health; new Center helps heal

patients, families and communities
I nside the walls of Methodist University
Hospital, a connection is being built.
Construction is nearly complete on a revolutionary
center where faith and health combine to help in
the healing of patients, families and communities.
Located in the heart of the hospital, 16,000
square feet are being renovated to create the
Center of Excellence in Faith and Health.
“This will be a space that is focused on the heart
of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s mis-
sion – the unconditional care and concern for our
patients and families,” said Kevin Spiegel, CEO of
Methodist University Hospital. The $2.5 million
project will provide patients’ families with a com-
fortable and comforting place to relax, get spiritual
care and learn how to take care of the patient
once at home.
“When families are here because of a loved
one, they should be cared for and they should
be learning how best to care for their loved one
when they return home,” said Gary Gunderson,
D.Min., M.Div., senior vice president of Health
and Welfare Ministries at Methodist Le Bonheur
Healthcare.
Kelli Owens knows first-hand how much this
space is needed. She called Methodist University
Hospital’s ICU waiting room home for more than
two weeks in 2008 while her husband, Mike, was Located in the heart of the hospital, 16,000 square feet are being renovated to create the Center of Excellence in
being treated for an aneurysm and a blood clot. Faith and Health, a space focused on the heart of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’ s mission – the unconditional
“I was at the hospital 13 plus hours a day. I care and concern for our patients and families.
greeted visitors, spent time with friends and family,
and helped my children study for tests,” said Kelli.
“I had two heating pads attached to extension tions and an education center where families can with state-of-the-art technology, the Innovation
cords, so I stayed as close to an electrical outlet either get in-person, one-on-one sessions about Studio will welcome volunteers from local congre-
as I could get. how to take care of their patient at home or they gations for trainings to help patient families with
“To state the obvious, if you are in that area, it can research for themselves on computers. spiritual care, end-of-life care, mental health care,
is due to a major crisis in your life. The stress level “During the time Mike was in the hospital, I had first aid and home care in seven-week courses.
is already high. It drains the mind, body and spirit. to meet with his business partners, complete “It seems as though every detail and conve-
At a time when you are making major, potentially the paperwork to file for disability, and meet with nience was considered and planned,” said Kelli. “It
life-altering decisions, you are doing it in rough doctors and representatives from various rehab will improve the family’s experience, which, in turn,
circumstances.” facilities to discuss the next phase of Mike’s benefits their loved one.”
The Center of Excellence in Faith and Health recovery,” said Kelli. “Often, these meeting took “This space demonstrates our belief that more
will include a Family Care Center. This new area place wherever we could find an open spot. The can always be done not only to treat people but
will include resources to provide for and assist thought and vision put into this new space will also to impact the quality of life for those in our
with the various needs of patients’ families. The make a trying situation more bearable.” community,” said Gunderson. “By healing patients
Family Care Center will include a small chapel for In addition to the Family Care Center, the and families, we’re ultimately making a difference
all faiths, an outdoor terrace and a dark room for Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation in the overall health and wellness of the commu-
those who want to sleep. The center also features Innovation Studio is another integral part of the nity,” said Dr. Gunderson.
rooms for patient, family and physician consulta- Center of Excellence in Faith and Health. Outfitted

Methodist Healthcare Foundation welcomed Laura Bush

Former First Lady as speaker at annual Cancer Center Luncheon
F ormer First Lady, Mrs. Laura W. Bush,
reflected on her life and spoke about her
New York Times #1 best-selling memoir, Spoken
Mrs. Bush has also worked to support human
rights. In 2001, she delivered the weekly presi-
dential address to call attention to the suffering of
From the Heart, at the 9th annual Methodist women and children under the Taliban. In 2005,
Cancer Center Luncheon held on Friday, she made an historic trip to Afghanistan and
November 12 at the Peabody Hotel. witnessed firsthand the progress achieved by the
Born in Midland, Texas, Mrs. Bush studied Afghan people after the fall of the Taliban regime.
education and taught in public schools before An advocate for women’s health, Mrs. Bush has
meeting and marrying George Walker Bush in been an active participant in campaigns to raise
1977. She went on to become the First Lady of awareness of breast cancer and heart disease,
Texas when her husband was elected Governor, both in the U.S. and around the world. She has
then First Lady of the United States when her traveled to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
husband was elected President. Throughout her Emirates and Panama to help launch international
time in the public spotlight, Mrs. Bush was actively partnerships for breast cancer awareness and re-
involved in issues of national and global concern, search in collaboration with the U.S. Department
with a particular emphasis on education, health of State, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and M.D.
care and human rights. Anderson Cancer Center.
A former teacher and librarian, Mrs. Bush is a Proceeds from this year’s event benefited
strong proponent of education. Methodist Cancer Center.

Visit us on the web at www.methodisthealth.org/give 1

A publication for the friends of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation

 h o s p i c e r e s i d e n c e

Methodist Hospice Residence

scheduled to open Spring 2011
O n November 5, 2009, Methodist Le Bonheur
Healthcare held a groundbreaking ceremony for
a Hospice Residence. It would be a place for families
music and all the comforts of home are encouraged
to make each room as close to home as possible.
Specialized equipment will allow a number of the
and friends to share in the last days rooms to be converted to care for
of a loved one’s life. And it would be a “As well as offering the infants and children.
home where those with a short time specialized care that “As well as offering the specialized
Amazing things are
to live could embrace life to the fullest care that patients who are facing
and have the dignity they deserve patients who are facing the end of life require, our residence happening here
during their final stage of life. The the end of life require, will allow us to continue providing Dear Friends:
residence would be a place open to all patient- and family-centered care in As you may know, I am a runner and
regardless of their ability to pay. our residence will allow a loving, supportive, and home-like have been running for more years than I
Now, a year later, and because of us to continue providing environment,” said Sally Aldrich, care to disclose. I’m not particularly fast.
the support and generosity of many, administrator and chief nursing offi- In fact, most of the time I plod along,
this ‘place’ will soon be a reality when patient- and family- cer for Methodist Affiliated Services, take walk breaks and keep my head
Methodist Hospice Residence opens centered care in a loving, Hospice-Palliative Services. “It will down to be sure I don’t trip. Sometimes I
in Spring 2011. be a special place that will offer our race, but most of the time I simply enjoy
The new facility will be located supportive, and home-like patients and their families the very the camaraderie of my group, or — if
on six beautifully wooded acres on environment.” best of faith, health and compassion running alone — savor the peace and
Quince Road between Messick and during a very special time in their opportunity to think and solve home or
Kirby and will feature 30 patient — Sally Aldrich lives.” work problems.
rooms, a conference room, chapel,   Despite my relatively slow pace, lately
family gathering area, and a kitchen where families For more information about Methodist Hospice I’ve been thinking that I might want to
can cook meals. Each patient room will offer comfort- Residence, call Methodist Healthcare Foundation move from running to hiking. I timidly
able surroundings to enable patients and families to at 901-516-0500 or visit www.methodisthealth.org/ asked my 24-year-old son if he would
feel more at ease. Pets, personal mementos, photos, give. go hiking in the Smoky Mountains over
Labor Day — and he said yes! We spent
two days hiking and as novice hikers we
were slow and steady.
  What a difference it was! I noticed
everything around me, admired the
height of the enormous trees and can
still envision the vastness and beauty of
the woods. It’s such a different feeling
than racing to the next water stop or
mile marker.
  On the surface, the hospital world
travels in that faster, keep-your-head-
down speed. We measure emergency
department wait times and length of
stay in hospital and we count time
between ED and heart catheterization.
But at a deeper level, quality healthcare
is as much about those individuals who
look straight ahead, around, up and
beyond — special caregivers, leaders
and donors who really make our hospi-
tals work.
  In this issue, you’ll read about our new
Center of Excellence in Faith and Health,
set to open in January. This sacred
space, which will provide care and
training to the families of our patients,
took on new meaning last week when
we took some special guests on a tour.
We invited the families of two patients
who had recently spent countless days
and nights in a cramped waiting room.
Kelli Jones spoke of the weeks in the
ICU waiting room where she held a vigil
for her husband with their three children
and countless visitors. She could see
that the new light, open space will pro-
Be an angel for the holidays; give the gift of home vide a completely different experience,
even in crisis.
and hope to Hospice patients and families   Last week we also recognized past
Methodist Healthcare board chair Mike

T
his holiday season, you can
give a priceless gift to a termi-
nally ill patient and his or her family
by becoming a Life Angel.
“The Life Angels program allows
donors to play a part in the creation
of the courtyard’s gardens and
pathways,” said Paula Jacobson,
president, Methodist Healthcare
Foundation. “The courtyard will be a
place so full of love, light and beauty
that it will touch the lives of those
around it.”
The facility’s unique design fea-
tures rooms with French doors that
open onto the garden so patients
will be able to enjoy fresh air, sun-
shine, and the beauty of the garden
area, outside while strolling its
winding paths, or from the comfort
of their room.
The facility’s unique
design features rooms
with French doors that
open onto the garden so
patients will be able to
enjoy fresh air, sunshine,
and the beauty of the
garden area, outside while
strolling its winding paths,
or from the comfort of
their room.
Donors will be recognized on the
tree of life, a permanent piece of
artwork in the courtyard, displaying
their names on beautiful iron leaves.
“Life Angels play a part in
each moment shared and every
memory that will be made here,”
said Jacobson. “Their generosity
will be part of every caring smile,
comforting touch, and compas-
sionate act our patients and
families will experience. They will
touch and bless so many lives.
They truly are angels.”
For more information about
becoming a Life Angel,
call Methodist Healthcare
Foundation at 901-516-0500 or
visit www.methodisthealth.org/
give.
The Foundation Focus is printed two times
per year. If you would prefer to receive the
newsletter via email, please contact
Lori Dale at 901-516-0505.
Sturdivant and awarded him the first Life
Inspiration Award. As almost 100 of his
family and closest friends gathered, we
recognized him for decades of service to
Methodist. His vision led to the original
purchase of Germantown Hospital and
his generosity has helped renovate the
Intensive Care Unit at that site.
  I think I’m going to like hiking — in
fact, I am considering a very special hike
as a celebration of a major birthday that
occurs next year. It will be a good time
to take it slow, look around and notice
the amazing world around me. As we
enter the holiday season, I hope you will
cherish and appreciate your friends,
your family and all of the people you
care about. We are grateful for you and
all that you do for Methodist Le Bonheur
Healthcare.
All the best,
Paula Jacobson

Donations make our work possible. Thank you.

 INSPIRATION

Mike P. Sturdivant Receives the Make Your Wishes

Inaugural 2010 Life Inspiration Award Known And Make a
for his Wisdom, Encouragement and Generosity Difference at the
Same Time

Include Us in Your Will

and Make a Lasting
Impression

Including us in your will and making a

An organization’s vision and success is due in large
part to its current leaders standing on the shoulders of
their predecessors. This is certainly true at Methodist
Le Bonheur Healthcare. Methodist has been blessed
with many great board leaders throughout its nearly 100
years of service.
  For that reason, in collaboration with the Methodist
Healthcare Foundation, The Life Inspiration Award was
established recently to pay tribute to former board lead-
ers. This award will be given annually to a former board
member who has provided exemplary wisdom, encour-
agement and generosity to the mission of Methodist
Le Bonheur Healthcare.
Mike Conley, First Tennessee and AutoZone are Helping to Build
the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis
M emphis has one of the largest populations of
Sickle Cell patients in the country. But today,
their only available option during a Sickle Cell crisis is
  Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare CEO Gary Shorb
presented Mr. Mike P. Sturdivant with the award at
a reception in his honor in October. Mike served on
the Board of Directors from 1979 until 1994. He was
Chairman twice – from 1981 to 1983 and again from
1990 to 1993.
  “Mike’s wisdom, warm encouragement and tremen-
dous generosity have blessed Methodist Le Bonheur
Healthcare for many years and I am thrilled that we are
honoring him with the inaugural Life Inspiration Award,”
said Shorb.
  Many thanks to Mike and his family for their support
and commitment to the mission and work of Methodist
Le Bonheur Healthcare.
fun-filled day of bowling, games, and prizes.
Sickle Cell is an issue that hits close to home for Mike
Conley; with two cousins with the disease, he was eager
bequest is one of the simplest ways to
remember what you care about most—
while keeping your assets available to
you throughout your lifetime. An unre-
stricted direct bequest—included in your
will or living trust—of a certain sum of
money, a percentage of your estate or a
particular asset preserves your wishes
forever and betters our tomorrow.
  We are available to provide you with
more information on gifts that fit your
financial and philanthropic goals.
Please contact us at:
Methodist Healthcare Foundation
W. Steven West, Sr. Vice President,
Community Benefit and
Sr. Legal Advisor, Special Projects
1211 Union Avenue, Suite 410
Memphis, TN 38104
email: wests@methodisthealth.org

a frustrating wait in a local emergency room. We can
solve and eliminate this huge gap in our local healthcare
by building a place for patients to turn in times of crisis.
Passionate healthcare leaders, philanthropists, and
citizens are working together to create such a place—the
Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis.
Grizzlies superstar Mike Conley joined the effort
and hosted his 3rd annual Bowl-n-Bash on Saturday,
September 18, with all proceeds benefiting the
Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis. Conley
and his fellow Grizzlies,
Sam Young and
Hasheem Thabeet, took
a break from the court
and gathered at Bartlett
Bowling Lanes for a
to support the cause. Several teams and sponsors came phone: 901.516.0500
together at the Bowl-n-Bash to help break the sickle
cycle and celebrate what the Comprehensive Sickle Cell
Center has accomplished so far. Many thanks to the
volunteers, players, and sponsors that helped make this
year’s Bowl-n-Bash a huge success!
Other local corporate neighbors have joined in the
effort to break the sickle cycle by donating generously
to help build the Center. AutoZone has committed
$50,000 and First Tennessee Foundation has
committed $100,000.
We are grateful to our donors who are
helping to make this effort a reality. To
learn more about the Comprehensive
Sickle Cell Center of Memphis or to give,
visit www.sicklecellmemphis.org or call
Mark Yancy at 901-516-0508.

Visit us on the web at www.methodisthealth.org/give 3

 M e t h o d i s t H e a l t h c a r e F o u n d a t i o n

wi
th John Pettey
s Born and bred: He was born and What he does: He took a position neuroscience center. Now our main
u grew up in Memphis, graduating
c with the Morgan Keegan Trust in project is the Center of Excellence in
o from Memphis University 1999 and served as its first presi- Faith and Health.”
School in 1967. dent until 2004. Today, he serves
F

as managing director in the Private Medicine without walls: He’s

Learning: He earned Client Group. excited by the promise of the
......In

a Bachelor’s in Congregational Health Network and

Accounting from Good works: He served his first says that when it’s fully realized it will
The University of term on the Board of Directors of the provide prevention, guidance into
Virginia and an Methodist Healthcare Foundation the healthcare system and follow-up
MBA from The from 2002 to 2008, and served a care after patients are released.
University of Texas. stint as the board chair during that “Gary Gunderson has revitalized the
...

time. He re-joined the board in June whole mission of the hospital. He’s
Methodist genes: of 2009. taken the service of the hospital
. .

His great-grandfather, outside the walls so it’s not just a

..

John Sherard, founded the Making change: “Projects won’t place where a patient comes when
.
..

hospital. A devout Methodist, he
.. was a North Mississippi farmer who
came to Memphis to visit his pastor
when he was in the charity ward of
a hospital. “He thought ‘The church
needs its own hospital.’ My mother
has been involved since the hospital
started. There’s a saying that you
would often hear around family gath-
erings - ‘Never sell your land and
always love the Methodist Hospital.’
Some of us have sold the land. But
the second part of that saying has
never changed.”
get done unless money is raised.
We went through a process of
identifying the strategic visions of the
hospital and the foundation.”
Elbow grease: “It took us a year.
I thought it was very important that
this board, which had never acted
in any fundraising capacity before,
didn’t take on more than we could
handle and that we could be suc-
cessful. We took a crack at raising
funds for the hospice and that
worked. We got involved with the
they are sick but connects with
their whole life through their church.
That’s something I strongly agree
with and identify with. This CHN is
going to be a great benefit to many
people who are underserved by the
healthcare system. I’m thrilled and
excited by what he’s doing and the
network he’s building.”

Methodist Healthcare Susan Murrmann, M.D., Chair Thomas (Marty) Carr, M.D. Rev. Rick Kirchoff
Foundation Board L. Kirkpatrick Bobo, Vice Chair Bena Cates William T. Mays
Carole West, Secretary Rev. Cynthia Davis John Pettey
Members
W. Steve West, Assistant Secretary Maurice Elliott Sally Shy
B. Lane Carrick, Treasurer John Glass Bridget Trenary
Larry Spratlin, Assistant Treasurer Dennis Higdon, M.D. Lewis Williamson

Embracing the Miracle

PERMIT NO. 225
U. S. POSTAGE

MEMPHIS, TN
PRSRT FIRST
CLASS

PAID

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