Elevate

Nashville General Hospital Foundation Newsletter | Issue 1, Fall 2024

In This Issue

The Power of Early Detection: Judith McCoy’s Story of Survival and the Importance of Regular Screenings
NGH’s Commitment to Breast Cancer Screening Excellence
Breast Cancer Awareness EventsWalk-In Screening Mammograms During October
Upcoming Events
All Weather Wellness Fund
Volunteer Spotlight: Austin and Andy Wanntanaskoplat
Team Chad Donates New Shuttle to Nashville General Hospital Foundation
American Cancer Society Grant for Prostate Cancer Screening
School of Health Sciences: NGH Radiologic Technology Program
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Plan Your Legacy

Elevating Healthcare and Wellness in Our Community

Jennifer A. Balog, MHA, CFRE, CAP - Foundation Executive Director

With immense pleasure and pride, we introduce the inaugural edition of Elevate, the official newsletter of the Nashville General Hospital Foundation. This platform has been crafted with a singular purpose: to elevate the conversation around healthcare and the essence of well-being in our beloved Nashville community.

Elevate is more than just a newsletter; it symbolizes our commitment to raising the standard of healthcare accessibility, quality, and equity for all Nashville residents. Through these pages, we aim to illuminate the transformative impact of Nashville General Hospital and its Foundation in the lives of individuals and families across our vibrant city.

As we embark on this journey together, we invite you to visit our newly redesigned website, where you will find a wealth of information about our initiatives, programs, and opportunities for involvement. Your support is integral to our mission, and we aspire to foster deeper connections with our supporters through this digital portal, providing a platform for engagement, collaboration, and meaningful change.

In every Elevate issue, you can expect insightful articles, inspiring stories, and updates on our latest endeavors. From highlighting the dedicated healthcare professionals at the forefront of innovation to sharing the stories of resilience and hope that emerge from our community, Elevate will serve as a beacon of optimism and empowerment.

We believe elevating the conversation around health and wellness can catalyze positive change reverberating throughout Nashville and beyond. Your engagement and support are crucial in this journey. Together, let us strive towards a future where everyone has access to the care they deserve and the opportunity to lead a healthy, fulfilling life.

Thank you for your unwavering support. We look forward to embarking on this journey of elevation with you.

Warm regards,
Jen Balog Signature
Jennifer A. Balog, MHA, CFRE, CAP

Feature The Power of Early Detection: Judith McCoy’s Story of Survival and the Importance of Regular Screenings

Early detection saved Judith McCoy’s life when her mammogram revealed breast cancer in its early stages. Despite her initial denial, Judith's experience highlights the importance of regular screenings and early intervention. Her story emphasizes how accessible and routine screenings can make a life-changing difference.

Read the full story here

NGH’s Commitment to Breast Cancer Screening Excellence

This October, NGH celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the upgrade to Fujifilm's ASPIRE Cristalle 3D mammography system. Offering superior image quality, the new technology ensures a more comfortable experience for patients and provides earlier and more accurate detection of breast cancer. With a commitment to serving high-risk patients, this technology is a game-changer in breast cancer prevention.

Women wearing breast cancer awareness ribbons

Breast Cancer Awareness Events Walk-In Screening Mammograms During October

Visit Nashville General Hospital during our walk-in events and take charge of your health. Early detection saves lives!

Nashville General Hospital is proud to offer walk-in screening mammograms throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Our goal is to make life-saving screenings accessible to every woman in our community, especially those at high risk.

Mammo Mondays: Every Monday in October 7:30 - 9 PM
Thrive Thursdays: Every Thursday in October 4:30 - 6 PM

Featured Fund: Women’s Health Fund

The Women’s Health Fund is dedicated to promoting comprehensive healthcare for women. This includes preventive care such as mammograms and gynecological exams, as well as initiatives to improve heart health and address healthcare disparities. By supporting the Women’s Health Fund, you help improve overall health outcomes and quality of life for women across Nashville, empowering them to lead healthier lives through education, screening services, and access to high-quality medical care.

Give to the Women's Health Fund

Upcoming Events

Sprinkles of Gratitude

October 17, 2024
3:00 - 5:00 PM
NGH LLB Cafeteria Conference Room

International Women's Day Breakfast

March 4, 2025
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
14TENN Nashville, TN
Keynote Speaker: Jessica Buchnann; Women in Medicine: Dr. Deanna Bullock; MC: Kristi Tobis

All Weather Wellness Fund

Compassion goes beyond medical care. The All Weather Wellness Fund provides essential clothing, shoes, and hygiene products to our most vulnerable patients. By ensuring patients leave with dignity and comfort, the Fund supports Nashville General’s mission to provide holistic care.

Read the full story here

Volunteer Spotlight Austin and Andy Wanntanaskoplat

Meet Austin and Andy Wanntanaskoplat, nursing students who have been volunteering at Nashville General Hospital for the past two months. Their dedication to helping others extends beyond our hospital, with volunteer work at Remote Area Medical and Mooreland Heights Elementary. For them, forming genuine connections with patients is the most rewarding part of volunteering. "When patients remember and thank us, it reminds us how important volunteers can be," they shared.

Austin and Andy's advice to potential volunteers? "Just start. The hardest part is taking that first step, but once you do, it’s all about putting patients first." Their commitment to making a difference is further shown through their future plans, including projects to build gardens for schools and volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House.

Thank you, Austin and Andy, for your compassion and hard work. Your impact is felt by everyone you serve!

Volunteer at NGH

Emily Walker, Executive Director of Team Chad, and Jennifer Balog, Chief Development Officer at Nashville General Hospital Foundation

Team Chad Donates New Shuttle to Nashville General Hospital Foundation

Thanks to Team Chad's generous donation, NGH now has a new shuttle to assist patients with mobility challenges. This shuttle ensures that even those with respiratory illnesses or mobility issues can access vital healthcare services comfortably.

Shatika Phillips, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, and Ashia Cooper-Colquitt, MHA, BSN, RN, Sr Director of Clinical Operations, NHC, at at Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church.

American Cancer Society Grant for Prostate Cancer Screening

NGH has been awarded a prestigious grant from the American Cancer Society, supporting prostate cancer screenings in underserved communities. This program focuses on early detection and education, particularly within the African-American community, where proactive healthcare is critical.

School of Health Sciences NGH Radiologic Technology Program

Nashville General's Radiologic Technology Program has received its highest accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in medical education. This program is vital for training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Plan Your Legacy

Planned giving offers a unique opportunity to make an enduring impact on the causes that matter most to you. Whether through a bequest in your will, a charitable trust, or naming a beneficiary on your retirement account, planned gifts provide vital resources to continue life-changing work, like that of Nashville General Hospital Foundation. Your generosity can help sustain essential programs that support patient care and wellness for generations to come.

Plan Your Legacy

Founded in 1977, the Nashville General Hospital Foundation evolved from the Friends in General charity, supporting Nashville General Hospital at Meharry. Initially focused on raising funds for baby blankets and patient care services, the Foundation now plays a critical role in advancing the hospital’s mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. Dedicated to Elevating, Inspiring, and Nurturing a Healthier Nashville, the Foundation strives to enhance health through patient care, education, and research. By fostering community engagement and nurturing meaningful relationships, they aim to improve access to healthcare and empower all Nashvillians to achieve new heights of wellness. Together, they are building a vibrant community where health and well-being thrive and individuals can flourish.

More About The Foundation