Capital Campaign

St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation announced today it has reached its capital campaign goal of raising $1.5 million for the planned St. Mary’s Center for Education.

In March 2006, the foundation kicked off St. Mary’s first capital campaign in 50 years to help support St. Mary’s mission of providing skilled healthcare professionals to care for the tri-state community. More than 150 organizations, families and individuals contributed to the campaign.  
 
“May God reward and bless all who supported our capital campaign and our mission,” said Sr. Celeste Lynch, who served as honorary campaign chairperson.  “Your generosity has helped provide resources for educating the future healthcare providers of our community and our next generation. Thank you for your trust and commitment.”
 
The 55,000-square-foot center, to be located at the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 29th Street, will house St. Mary’s School of Nursing, School of Medical Imaging and School of Respiratory Care. The estimated cost of the project is $8.6 million, including the purchase of the land and building in 2004.

Dr. Shelia Kyle, VP of Schools and Health Professions said, “Not only will this facility provide us with the latest in training technologies, it will allow us to expand enrollment by at least 20 percent. Given the anticipated nurse shortage, this will be of great benefit to the community.” Approximately 90 percent of St. Mary’s graduates find employment in the tri-state area.
 
Through the help of Congressman Nick J. Rahall II, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee secured more than $1.4 million for the project through the labor, health and human services appropriation bills.

“Congressman Rahall’s support has been tremendous,” said Robert Hardwick, campaign co-chairperson.  “We are very appreciative of his insight into the significance of this project.”
 
St. Mary’s Foundation President David Sheils said there are still opportunities to support the Center for Education. “Although we have reached our goal, there is still an additional $5 million to complete the project that St. Mary’s Medical Center will have to subsidize from hospital operations,” Sheils said. “We hope people will continue to join in our efforts to provide the best possible education for future health professionals in our region.”  

St. Mary’s Foundation has embarked on a capital campaign to fund the new St. Mary’s Center for Education, which will give a new home to the School of Nursing, School of Radiography and School of Respiratory Care.