Passavant Hospital Foundation

Passavant Hospital Foundation supports UPMC Passavant in McCandless and Cranberry, advancing the health and wellness of our community through education, outreach and grant making.

During its history, the Foundation has helped to fund many hospital projects, contributing more than $122 million. Notably, the Foundation contributed $65 million towards the construction of a seven-floor 188,000 square foot Pavilion on Passavant's 134-acre campus in McCandless. The Foundation contributed $16.4 million to build a conference center and a 250-seat theater on the McCandless campus known as the Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center & Legacy Theatre. In 2015 the Foundation funded $575,000 in renovations to the inpatient floor where most of the patients are receiving cancer treatment. A generous donation from the Chubbuck family of Rome NY allowed a family respite alcove to be dedicated at the end of the hall on that floor.

The Foundation makes grants to hospital departments for technology, equipment and programs which improve patient care, as suggested by front-line staff. This investment of funds is a collaborative effort with Passavant Hospital Auxiliary and the hospital itself, so that most worthwhile projects are funded.

The Foundation´s education and outreach programming is available to all in our community. The programs provide expert health information in layman´s terms; sessions are FREE and are open to all who wish to attend. Last year, the Foundation provided 87 free seminars reaching 7,047 attendees. Sessions were led by UPMC Passavant physicians, therapists and others who are experts in their fields. A special outreach initiative, in cooperation with the American Heart Association, is teaching CPR to middle-schoolers in all local school districts.

Passavant Hospital Foundaton sponsors the Bridge to Hope which supports the families and friends of loved ones affected by substance addiction. This program offers weekly support group sessions. Bridge to Hope does not offer counseling or advice, but it does provide a safe refuge for people seeking to find support. Facilitators trained and certified in addiction attend each session to provide structure for the group. More than 400 families from the region are involved in the program. Sessions are attended on average by 15-30 people including parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, spouses, older siblings, fiancés and so on.

Testimonials

Recently the Foundation established a Patient Assistance Fund to aid financially struggling patients who cannot afford medications or equipment needed at discharge. "The Fund does not cover the hospital bill," said Fay Morgan, Foundation president/CEO. "It assists our most vulnerable patients to return to health when they return home."

The first recipient was an 81-year-old who came to the hospital for a procedure related to newly diagnosed cancer. At discharge, she was to go home on blood thinners for two weeks, a best practice standard to prevent blood clots and unfortunately very expensive. The fund helped her purchase the blood thinning medication to help her through the post-operative period.

A 62-year-old patient, hospitalized four times in one year for cardiac issues, still works but does not have insurance coverage through his employer. His cardiac issues could be easily controlled through medication management, but the cost is very high. He was hospitalized again in February and discharged to home only to return nine days later with the same medical issues. The fund was able to break this cycle and cover the medications that he needed to stay well.

The fund supported a 76-year-old patient in severe heart failure. She needed a defibrillator vest to detect and treat a life-threatening heart rhythm should it occur at home. The fund was able to cover a portion of the first month cost and get her home, while the family made long-term payment arrangements.

The Cancer Care Fund is in place specifically for oncology patients whose financial stability has been negatively affected by their diagnosis. A course of treatment can be very expensive and take months or years. For those who qualify, the fund helps pay for basic needs during treatment, such as medicine, transportation, housing and food.

Mary Ann Thomas' husband was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007. Doctors at UPMC Passavant successfully removed the tumor, but discovered it had metastasized from his lungs. He succumbed to the disease in 2011. The following year, Mary Ann was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her three-year battle against cancer left her with deep financial scars, even with Medicare and health insurance.

"This takes such a huge pressure off patients, who are stressed enough by the diagnosis of cancer," said oncologist John Comerci, MD.