HEALTAHR TCARE
WOMEN’S GIVING NETWORK
Working Together to
Expand Care
By Rafael J. Sciullo
Rafael J. Sciullo
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 137
It takes a village to care for one
another. That is why we extend our
deepest gratitude for the community’s
support of the Empath Health mission.
Together, we can enhance care, comfort
and quality of life for individuals and
families during life’s most difficult times of
illness, medical decision making and grief.
One philanthropic group dedicated
to advancing our cause and care is the
Empath Health Women’s Giving Network,
established by our Suncoast Hospice
Foundation in 2016. The purpose is to
deepen community education and
awareness of Empath Health and its
member organizations, develop new
ambassadors, create empowered giving
and build a pool of funds to support
specialized programs and needed services
that otherwise would go without funding.
The women each commit to a twoyear
membership of $1,000 per year.
They meet once a year to collectively
hear, select and fund grants proposed by
staff. Remarkably, some members make
additional contributions in areas they wish
to support further, as well as recruit new
members.
Last year’s grant allocations spread
across several areas of need, including:
• Feminine hygiene products to
improve dignity and health of
women with HIV in need
• Music players/speakers for aides to
help soothe patients with dementia
• Training seminar for massage
therapist to teach her caring touch
technique to aides to relax hospice
patients
• Ultrasound machine to comfort
home health patients after surgeries
One home health patient is back on
her feet again, thanks to the therapeutic
treatment of the ultrasound machine
(known as a TENS unit). The physical
therapist said that before the ultrasound,
the patient could only move with the aid
of a walker. Her family reports that now
she has reduced pain and inflammation
and greater mobility to use a cane and
attend church again.
Many hospice patients have benefited
from other services. An aide shared that
one patient loved jazz and became lost
in the music with her eyes closed and
enjoyment of the water during her shower.
Also, a physician noted that a highly
agitated and frightened patient was eased
and fell asleep after a weighted blanket
was placed on her at the care center.
We are honored to serve our community
with the best possible care and support.
A heartfelt thanks to the Women’s Giving
Network and all of our donors who help
us continue our mission. It is all about
working together to uplift as many lives
as we can with care, understanding and
compassion in every journey.
Want to join the Empath Health Women’s
Giving Network? For membership
information, please call Annette Carter
with the Suncoast Hospice Foundation
at (727) 523-3414. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is
president and CEO of Empath Health, a
nonprofit integrated network of care for
those affected by chronic or advanced illness.
For more information about services, call
(727) 467-7423 or visit EmpathHealth.org.
• Weighted blankets to calm hospice
patients at our care centers
• Downloaded music for teen
volunteers to bring joy to patients
and seniors
• Care note messages to inspire
families at our care centers
• Branded lapel pins to honor veteran
patients
• Air mattresses for staff and families
to sleep on at our care centers during
storms
• Reiki and aromatherapy to comfort
grief counseling clients
We’re happy to hear many positive results
from these interventions used in care.