BY KAREN BOSSICK

Buddy Wilton and his wife Shay Doll pledged a gift of $50,000 if at least 80 percent of St. Luke’s Wood River employees and providers took part in the hospital foundation’s annual Employee Giving Campaign.

Both groups stepped up to the plate, with 82 percent of St. Luke’s Wood River employees participating in the Stronger Together campaign and physicians reaching a historic milestone with 90 percent contributing.

St. Luke’s Wood River employees have traditionally donated at levels that are among the highest in the nation. But, in a year marked by challenges, their support was particularly welcome this year.

“I am touched and inspired by the generosity of our St. Luke’s employees. They continuously step up to support initiatives to provide exceptional care to our community as well as to lend a hand to their colleagues in a time of need,” said Megan Tanous, chief development officer of St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation.

Wilton called it a wonderful example of inspired giving: “St. Luke’s Wood River employees and providers are deeply committed to providing superior, patient-centered care and are an integral part of our generous community of donors, which makes world-class health care possible in the Wood River Valley.”

Employees giving donations contributed to employee funds that support fellow employees for emergency medical expenses and for personal emergency expenses, staff education and a College of Southern Idaho Blaine County Healthcare Scholarship. The funds also support such  community programs as compassionate care and scholarships for mammography, mental health, and lymphedema.

One employee recounted how the fund helped his family when his daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis, with three acute curvatures in her spine.

“With our savings account depleted and no other short-order financial options available, the Pat & Carol McLaughlin fund stepped in and paid the balance for the necessary back brace to stop the scoliosis from progressing,” the employee said. “Having this funding set up to assist employees and families with emergent medical needs was a godsend. My family appreciates the generous donations that the Foundation provides to promote the well-being of my family.”

Questions? Visit www.slwrf.org, call 208-727-8447 or email wrfriends@slhs.org.