ProMedica Foundation Announces 2020 Philanthropy Awards Recipients

ProMedica is pleased to announce the ProMedica Foundations 2020 Philanthropy Awards recipients. The annual awards ceremony was scheduled for April but was cancelled due to COVID-19 mandates. In lieu of the in-person ceremony, videos were made to honor each award winner and record his or her acceptance speech.

ProMedica’s 2020 Philanthropist of the Year is awarded to Dan and Sharon Farrell.

The ProMedica Philanthropist of the Year Award is given to individuals or couples who set a standard of excellence in the health and well-being of our community. They have provided financial support to improve health care at a ProMedica Institution or within the community. The candidates have generously volunteered their time and have taken a leadership role to encourage and inspire others to help ProMedica achieve its Mission.

Dan and Sharon Farrell are proud supporters of ProMedica and made a transformational gift to build and sustain Kaitlyn’s Cottage in Defiance, Ohio. Kaitlyn’s Cottage is a country cottage getaway designed for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities and their families. “Dan and I were so blessed to partner with ProMedica in order to get this dream accomplished. I can’t tell you how many people have been impacted by Kaitlyn’s Cottage,” said Sharon Farrell.

Watch their video: https://youtu.be/MWrf5RDupM8 

ProMedica’s 2020 Young Philanthropist of the Year is awarded to Willie Jackson.

The ProMedica Young Philanthropist of the Year Award is given by the ProMedica Foundation to a young professional (age 19-39) who shows exemplary support to achieve ProMedica’s Mission. This individual has made donation(s) to support efforts to improve health care at a ProMedica Institution or within the community. The candidate is an advocate for ProMedica who inspires others to get involved and has made an impact to improve health and well-being in the communities ProMedica serves.

Willie Jackson, a University of Toledo Rockets basketball player, raised significant funds for the ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital, formerly ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital. “I just want to know I made an impact,” he said. His coach, Tod Kowalazyk, said, “To spend the time he’s invested and be a Division 1 athlete has not been easy on him. He’s certainly someone when he finds a passion, he puts his heart and soul into it.”

Watch his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufV3Lsfp3B0

ProMedica’s 2020 Junior Philanthropist of the Year is awarded to Rose Hajjar.

The ProMedica Junior Philanthropist of the Year Award is given by the ProMedica Foundation to a student (age 5-18) who has selflessly raised funds and/or volunteered to help improve the health and well-being of others. This person inspired his or her community to be generous and made a positive impact on someone’s life.

Rose Hajjar, a pediatric patient who had a heart transplant, raised significant funds with her sisters and inspired many more. “I would describe her as amazing,” said her pediatrician, Robert Mills, MD.

“Helping other children and people in the hospital and ProMedica makes me feel really good because I know what it’s like to be in the hospital,” said Hajjar.

Watch her video: https://youtu.be/VuFHWBWzD8A

ProMedica’s 2020 Mission Partner of the Year is awarded to Hollywood Casino Toledo.

The ProMedica Mission Partner of the year is given by the ProMedica Foundation to a business partner that has provided financial support to improve health care at a ProMedica Institution or within the community. The company’s commitment evokes transformative change in our community and helps ProMedica achieve its Mission to improve health and well-being.

Hollywood Casino Toledo supports many ProMedica programs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, food reclamation programs and many other community partners. “We want to do more, and all we can, for our community,” said Justin Carter, general manager, Hollywood Casino Toledo.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/rtpZnuCRm_4

ProMedica’s 2020 Philanthropy Champions of the Year is awarded to Rami Ubaydi, Denise Curry and Dr. Brian Dolsey.

The ProMedica Philanthropy Champions of the year is given by the ProMedica Foundation to a physician and an employee/department that has shown exemplary service to a ProMedica patient and the community. The candidates are advocates for outstanding health care as demonstrated through the compassion, hope, and healing they provide to their patients and the community.

Rami Ubaydi, vice president and general manager of ProMedica Senior Care, championed major initiatives as HCR Manor Care transitioned to a nonprofit. “The reason I chose to support ProMedica

Health System is because of the social determinants of health and ‘give where you live’ programs. These two programs were new to me joining the combined company. We’re so glad to do more work in the community,” he said.

Watch his video: https://youtu.be/UC_WnZRD1Sk

Denise Curry, vice president and general manager for ProMedica Senior Care skilled nursing, was instrumental in improving the patient care experience and finding solutions in the community. Family is very important to Denise and that extends to her work and volunteer families. She can be found with her sleeves rolled up working side by side with the front-line facility teams as well as charity organizations she supports. “I’m very passionate that we’re doing all we can as individuals for our communities.” She continued, “There is more to come with how we are going to integrate positively with our communities.”

Watch her video: https://youtu.be/UC_WnZRD1Sk

Brian Dolsey, MD, ProMedica Physicians Cardiology, championed ProMedica’s barbershop health program which first piloted in 2017 and diligently works to engage African-American men, who have higher rates of several chronic illnesses and cancer risks. The barbers in the shops were trained in CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Machines were installed in the shops.

“I want to be a good role model for my two sons and show them what it takes to be out there in the community. It makes me feel proud,” he said.

Watch his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtlB4ab8Cco

ProMedica’s 2020 Volunteer of the Year is awarded to Meg Ressner.

The ProMedica Volunteer of the Year is given by the ProMedica Foundation to an individual or group whose unselfish and dedicated service has made a significant difference in the lives of our patients, families, and community. The candidate inspires others to help ProMedica achieve its Mission.

Meg Ressner is an active volunteer leader for ProMedica. Her extensive board involvement includes roles on the ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital and ProMedica Toledo Hospital Foundation and Operating Boards, and Toledo Regional Autism Network Board. “She is the definition of ‘you will do better in Toledo’,” said Dawn Buskey, president, ProMedica Metro Region Acute Care.

“The current time to be involved with ProMedica is moving and inspiring. I’ve never been more proud of how much they have done during this pandemic,” said Ressner.

Watch her video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7zBVSE-uNY

ProMedica’s Ebeid Healthy Neighborhood Partner of the Year is awarded to St. Paul Community Center.

The ProMedica Ebeid Healthy Neighborhood Partner of the Year is given by the ProMedica Foundation to a partner agency that has joined with ProMedica to help create communities where all individuals reach their highest potential for health. These businesses or individuals are committed to reshaping the health care delivery model to focus on the root causes of poor health by increasing access to healthy food, delivering nutritional education and providing job training opportunities.

St. Paul's Community Center was established in 1975 to provide food, shelter, support services and job and housing referrals to the homeless, indigent and mentally ill in the Toledo area. In 2018, St. Paul’s in partnership with the Ebeid Neighborhood Promise (ENP) initiative committed to a renewed focus on providing support to homeless individuals specifically with mental health issues who are known to seek outside shelter in the UpTown neighborhood navigate the newly adopted Lucas County Housing First Model.

In just under 12 months, through the ENP partnership, St. Paul has assisted more than 20 individuals in creating sustainable treatment plans that include addressing housing stability, cash benefits, employment, substance use, physical health, mental health and community supports. More broadly, St. Paul’s provided more than 12,000 nights of shelter to those experiencing homelessness. They served more than 111,000 meals, focused on providing healthy nutritious meals—often utilizing produce and food from Market on the Green.

“This award is an important signal that what we do is important, legitimate and impactful,” said Joe Habib, president and chief executive director, St. Paul’s Community Center.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-m3s_e3kfE