OHSU Employee Giving Campaign
Steering Committee

“Giving is not about money, it is about investing in the future of the people who make our community.” Many of us share this wisdom, but equally important is to invest or donate your money wisely to an organization that not only demonstrates its commitment to the future but is also fiscally responsible.

By the end of my first year working at the Center of Ethics in Health Care, I made the decision to make an annual donation because I had an “insider’s view" of the immense dedication to teach health care professionals compassion, integrity and ethical decision-making in their patient care. I was impressed that the Center had never accepted donations from the for-profit healthcare industry nor had received direct budgeted dollars from OHSU.

Under strong leadership, every major financial decision is carefully scrutinized to determine if this is the best use of the donor’s money. Even though the annual dollar amount is a stretch for me, I am so confident that I know where the money is going, I know how it is being spent, and I see the incredible teaching this Center accomplishes. I know that what I am supporting will lead to a program or endowment that is self-sustaining and not end because of lack of funding. Each new vision and program builds upon or extends the mission of existing programs. While I have made many pledges and donations throughout my life, I have never made such a generous one to my own employer and department.

I have always believed in giving back to the community. It probably started when I was working on my Eagle Scout project when I was 15 and I raised money to fund a community education program for the local Red Cross organization. I have given to many causes from Church to Boy Scouts, to United Way and to OHSU. There is a children’s song that sums it up for me. “Because I have been given much, I too must give.” My OHSU Employee Giving Campaign support goes to the OHSU Foundation because I believe in the missions of OHSU and I want to put my money where my mouth is. I hope that you will support OHSU’s missions by making an employee gift to sustain its tremendous future.

At one point in my life I was raising three boys all on my own. I woke up every morning thanking my lucky stars that they were healthy little boys. I always thought that if by some reason illness did come our way, we would have faith and hope to make it through an illness. Knowing that hospitals like Doernbecher help families through those tough times, I donate to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

It’s not always the case that a family can survive a child with a severe illness. Although if I continue to have faith and donate, I have helped these families with half of their battle. This is why I give to the OHSU Employee Giving Campaign.