New Fund Allows You to Help Western Baptist Continue Healing Legacy

Martha Dawson knows what it means to have a hand in the healing legacy of Western Baptist Hospital. For more than 30 years, she worked as a registered nurse at Western Baptist, watching the hospital evolve from humble beginnings into the regional referral and medical center that it is today. Dawson continues to be a part of that healing legacy by serving in the hospital’s Auxiliary and serving on the campaign committee of the new Western Baptist Hospital Foundation Fund. To her, it is more than a volunteer opportunity; it is a mission.

“I take great pride in knowing that I am continuing a tradition of care that has helped so many in our community and will continue to do so for future generations,” said Dawson. “At Western Baptist Hospital, we don’t treat people as patients, we treat them as family.”

Western Baptist began nearly 60 years ago as a simple thought in the hearts of people: A desire to bring a better quality of health and healing to the community. As both the size of the community and complexity of medical technology have grown, the small, 117-bed hospital built by those inspired donors has grown as well.

To continue the founders’ vision of quality health care right here in our community, the Western Baptist Hospital Foundation Fund has been established. The Foundation Fund gives people an opportunity to make financial contributions to support needed services, facilities and other areas of growth.

Gifts from the Heart

The foundation’s initial project is the new Baptist Heart Center, scheduled for completion in spring 2007. A Cardiac Campaign Executive Committee is comprised of hospital administrative staff and employees, former and current medical staff members and community leaders. Louis Michelson, Paducah business owner and former patient, has joined Dawson and others in this endeavor.

“Heart disease runs in my family and through the years has required the healing hands of physicians and staff at Western Baptist Hospital,” said Michelson. “I join this effort to repay Western Baptist Hospital in some small way, and I am proud to do this for my family and the community members in the region.”

Eric Shields, M.D., president of the medical staff, said a donation to the Western Baptist Hospital Foundation Fund ensures that a professional, dedicated and committed medical staff remains a part of the hospital’s future. “We are able to attract and keep the best physicians because of our commitment to provide the most advanced technology available. Your support of the Western Baptist Hospital Foundation Fund will help us continue to attract top-notch physicians to advance the quality of care and treatments available to patients,” said Shields.

You can be a part of the hospital’s tradition of care and healing by supporting the Western Baptist Hospital Foundation Fund. Through a variety of giving vehicles, you can help support the hospital’s mission to continue our Christian heritage of service and to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve. To learn more, visit our Web site at westernbaptist.com and click on “Donate to the Western Baptist Hospital Foundation Fund” or phone (270) 575-2871.