What Is St. Mary's Hospital?

St. Mary's Hospital, located in Leonardtown, Maryland, offers a wide-range of medical and community services.  St. Mary's Hospital is a community-based, not-for-profit institution established in 1912 and operates under the direction of a volunteer Board of Trustees representing the diverse interests of the surrounding region. In fiscal year 2002, St. Mary's Hospital served 77,506 patients including 17,330 Emergency Department visits, 6,595 Express Care visits, 849 child births, and 5,723 Surgeries.  Over the last ten years, St. Mary's Hospital has provided more than $10,000,000 in charity care.  Copies of our Annual Report are available.

What is the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation?

St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is the philanthropic arm of St. Mary's Hospital.  The Foundation is committed to raising and receiving funds in support of the hospital’s mission.  It’s objective is to generate, administer and manage gifts, grants, bequests, and trusts to further enhance St. Mary's Hospital’s excellence as a provider of comprehensive health care services, quality medical care and clinical research through philanthropic support of its programs, activities and facilities. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees with elected officers comprised of a cross section of area business, community, and medical leadership

What is “Building on our Tradition of Caring”?

Through it’s strategic plan, St. Mary's Hospital identified $24,600,000 in renovation and expansion needs.  “Building on our Tradition Caring” is a historic and tremendous fundraising effort that will raise a minimum of $3 million towards that need.  The project includes the expansion of the Emergency Department, Surgical Services and Intensive Care Unit, the creation of a Birthing Center and Women’s Health Center, and a conversion to private, single patient rooms.  The campaign will raise funding from key individuals, medical staff, hospital employees, corporations, businesses, and the community at-large.  It will be a thorough community effort, conducted in phases over the next several months. 

Why Does St. Mary's Hospital Need to Renovate and Expand?

Since our founding in 1912, St. Mary's Hospital has grown dramatically.  The existing hospital, most recently expanded in the early 1980s, will require renovations and expansion to adapt to changing technologies and medical advances.  Projects of this magnitude are typically faced with significant expenses.  Our medical facility volumes have grown significantly in all areas over the past decade.  With continued growth projected over the next decade, we need to invest now in this critical project in order to serve our community’s needs, and enhance our ability to provide adequate services to the surrounding region.

Where Will the Money for The Renovation and Expansion Project Come From?

Three sources will fund St. Mary’s Hospital’s renovation and expansion project.  The hospital has secured a $20,000,000 loan agreement for construction with payoff set to begin in five years.  The hospital is also committing $1,600,000 of its own funds from long-term capital reserves – the maximum amount it can safely contribute and still maintain strong financial health.  And finally, private donations raised through an organized community-wide capital campaign.

How Will St. Mary's Hospital Raise The Necessary Money?

The entire campaign is a major undertaking. The campaign will formally begin this winter and will conclude this year.  The campaign has not been publicly announced, so we are in the "silent" phase.  The public kick off is scheduled for Summer 2003.  In the current phase of the campaign, gifts of $100,000 and above are being solicited from individuals, corporations and businesses.  Other campaign divisions include the medical staff, hospital employees, and the community at-large.  A gift to “Building on our Tradition of Caring” will ensure the continued vision and mission of the hospital and greatly benefit the community we serve. 

Who Is Leading The Campaign Effort?

“Building on our Tradition of Caring” is being led by a number of committed volunteer advocates of St. Mary's Hospital.  Our leadership team currently consists of Floyd D. Warren, President, St. Mary's Hospital Foundation; and Christine R. Wray, President and CEO of St. Mary's Hospital.  They will be joined by a group of outstanding community leaders and a large core of campaign volunteers.

Who Is Being Asked To Participate?

Everyone!  “Building on our Tradition of Caring” strives for 100% participation.  Since this is so important for our community, St. Mary's Hospital is going to make a comprehensive effort to contact trustees, corporations and businesses, medical staff, employees and previous donors personally to consider a multi-year pledge to “Building on our Tradition of Caring.”  By pledging over a 5-year period, donors will have the opportunity to consider larger commitments than they could consider in making a one-time gift.  Consequently, we will be able to secure necessary funding needed for this ambitious effort.  A number of payment plans are available for a donor to make a significant contribution to the future of our community.

Why Is Your Generous Gift Important?

The renovation and expansion of St. Mary's Hospital will have an impact on nearly every man, woman or child who lives, works or visits this region, potentially touching hundreds of thousands of lives.  This campaign is unprecedented in its importance and scope.  “Building on our Tradition of Caring” seeks to raise new money for funding priorities beyond the operating budget.  Every day new developments in health care bring healing relief.  Technology and communications are rapidly changing.  In order to ensure the best possible care at St. Mary's Hospital we need to move rapidly.  The participation of all who have a relationship or affinity with the hospital can make a significant difference.

How Much Should You Give?

Extraordinary gifts are needed for this unique and historic time for St. Mary's Hospital.  The expansion project at St. Mary's Hospital is being built for the future and for the rapidly changing technological environment that exists in health care today.  Giving is a personal matter.  In a campaign of this nature, gifts of “equal sacrifice,” not equal amounts, are being sought.  Due to the challenging goal, donors will be asked to consider a specific gift amount or range.  No one can or should tell another person what to contribute, but the giving sights necessary to achieve success in this campaign have to be high.  You are requested, therefore, to consider a gift commensurate with the needs to St. Mary's Hospital, as well as your financial capacity.

Is A Pledge Legally Binding?

No.  A pledge is a commitment made under a particular set of circumstances.  If those circumstances change, you can adjust the pledge payment schedule or balance accordingly.  We only ask that donors make a sincere attempt to fulfill their intent.  A donor is asked to complete a pledge card or a letter of intent so that the gift may be appropriately recorded and acknowledged, as well as indicate that they agree to the terms of the gift indicated.  Written intentions reinforce the integrity of “Building on our Tradition of Caring” avoid misunderstandings and comply with accepted accounting standards.

Are Gifts of Stock Accepted?

While cash gifts and pledges are most common, it may be advantageous to the donor to make a gift of appreciated stock.  Such gifts give the benefit of a tax deduction for the full value of the stock without paying capital gains.  “Building on our Tradition of Caring” benefits as well.  Please check with your tax advisor.  All gifts to “Building on our Tradition of Caring” are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by Internal Revenue Service codes and your personal tax situation.

Why Make An Initial Payment?  Is it required?

An initial payment helps “Building on our Tradition of Caring” by increasing St. Mary's Hospital’s cash flow.  Many donors actually prefer to begin their pledges immediately.  Some will want to give more than the requested 10%.  However, an initial payment of 10% is not required.  Donors may choose to pay monthly, quarterly, annually or according to a special schedule of choosing.  St. Mary's Hospital will send reminders according to the donor’s chosen schedule.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's Hospital Foundation.

What are the Goals of the Employee Campaign?

The Employee Campaign is designed to inform all St. Mary's Hospital employees about the needs of the hospital and the goals of the campaign.  In addition to the education process, we also hope to enlist their support of our initiatives.  Our number one goal is 100% participation from our employee community.  Employee participation will be in the form of pledges payable over a 5-year period and can consist of payroll deduction, vacation donation, outright gifts, or any combination.

For more information on how to make a gift to the
Campaign for St. Mary's Hospital, click here.