Reading Hospital Foundation announced today they have received $62,240 during the annual “It Starts With Us” Employee Giving Campaign. The “It Starts With Us" Campaign is a fundraising effort that encourages Reading Hospital team members to financially support programs and services that directly impact patients and colleagues, many of which they have helped to inspire and develop. The campaign was held from September 14 through September 30 and received donations from 253 generous employees.

The Reading Hospital Foundation helps fund programs that directly benefit patients, employees, the hospital, and community. Participating employees had the opportunity to designate where their contribution will be used. These areas include: 

  • Area of Greatest Need, which allocates resources to crucial areas within Reading Hospital for unanticipated expenses. 
  • Community Wellness/Street Medicine Fund, which reduces barriers to care by addressing the challenges some patients face with housing instability, health-related legal issues, transportation, or food insecurity. It also supports our delivery of primary and urgent care to the homeless in Berks County, providing medication, equipment, and medical supplies. 
  • Nursing Excellence Fund, which provides assistance to expand learning opportunities for our nurses. This fund supports those nurses who wish to pursue a bachelor, masters, or doctorate degree, advance to leadership roles, or obtain specialized training in areas such as transplant and geriatric care.
  • Employee Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to Reading Hospital employees facing immediate, severe, and temporary financial hardships due to an emergency.
  • Gwen's Closet, which provides basic clothing items to Reading Hospital patients who are unable to go home in the clothing they arrived in. 

Employees were also able to support other areas within the hospital. Other areas receiving designated support in McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Heart Center, NICU, Marilyn K. Brennan Endowed Nursing Scholarship, and COVID-19 Emergency Response fund.

“By joining together, we are so much stronger,” said William M. Jennings, Reading Hospital President and CEO. “Though the pandemic has no doubt taken a toll, our employees never forget the reason we’re here – to care, to help, to heal. I am so proud to be one of the 253 employee donors and know that, along with my colleagues, we are making a difference in our community.”

Katherine Thornton, Reading Hospital Foundation President added, “Funding from the Foundation enhances the programs and services provided by Reading Hospital. While medicine, technology, and skill are important components of the care delivered at Reading Hospital, the thing that truly makes a difference for our patients is our team members. As healthcare providers, it is in their nature to help, to give, and to care. When people come to the hospital, they are often at their most vulnerable. We are so grateful to the generous donations from our employees so that we may continue to make that very important difference in the experience – and the lives – of the people we care for.” 

 

About Reading Hospital

Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, Tower Health Transplant Institute, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians and providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.