Elevate
Nashville General Hospital Foundation Newsletter | Issue 2, Winter 2025
In This Issue
- Jeff Berry’s Story: A Life Changed by the Food Pharmacy
- Improving Medication Access Through Innovative Programs: The Patient Medicine Fund at Nashville General Hospital Foundation
- Mitsui USA Donates Car Seats to Nashville General Hospital’s Labor & Delivery Department
- Enoch Fuzz's Powerful Mission to Nourish the Heart
- Food As Medicine Fund: Transforming Lives Through Nutrition
- Volunteer Spotlight Scout: A Four-Legged Friend Bringing Comfort and Joy
- Volunteer Opportunity: Grant Supports Creative Healing
- General's Call Center Rallies Behind Nashville General Hospital Foundation’s All-Weather Wellness Campaign
Elevate, Inspire, Nurture: A New Year’s Message from the Heart
Jennifer A. Balog, MHA, CFRE, CAP - Foundation Executive Director
As we close the chapter on 2024, my heart is full of gratitude for the extraordinary support you’ve given to the Nashville General Hospital Foundation. This past year, your generosity has elevated lives, inspired hope, and nurtured the health and well-being of our entire community. Because of you, countless lives have been touched, and barriers to care have been broken down.
In the final months of 2024, we witnessed the true power of what it means to come together for a common purpose. Every gift, every effort, and every act of kindness has helped us ensure that all patients at Nashville General Hospital receive the care they deserve—no matter their ability to pay. Your support has not just changed lives; it has saved them.
As we turn the page to 2025, there’s a sense of excitement in the air. This year promises to be a time of deeper partnerships and renewed commitment to creating a healthier Nashville for all. Together with our community partners, we will continue to advocate for health equity, dismantling the barriers that prevent so many from accessing care and addressing the social determinants of health that impact lives far beyond the walls of our hospital.
This journey is about more than just the work we do today; it’s about the legacy we are building for tomorrow. The relationships and partnerships we’ve fostered are enduring, forming the foundation of a shared vision that will last forever.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your belief in our mission strengthens us, and your compassion fuels our purpose. Together, we will step into 2025 with hope, determination, and the unwavering belief that we can make a difference—one life, one family, and one community at a time.
Here’s to a new year filled with possibility, partnership, and purpose.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jennifer A. Balog, MHA, CFRE, CAP
Feature Jeff Berry’s Story: A Life Changed by the Food Pharmacy
After his diagnoses of heart disease and diabetes, Jeff Berry found hope through Nashville General’s Food Pharmacy.
"They don’t just offer fresh food; they provide support and encouragement to help manage my condition," Jeff shares.
Through the Food as Medicine Fund, we offer free nutritious food to patients with chronic illnesses, empowering them to lead healthier lives.
Foundation Impact Improving Access to Medication
Through programs like Meds2Beds and Hope Meds, we ensure that all patients have access to necessary medications, regardless of financial barriers.
"These programs not only provide medication but also education for better health literacy," says Jeff Hardwick, PharmD.
Your support helps us bridge gaps in care and promote healthier outcomes.
Upcoming Event International Women's Day Breakfast
Mark your calendar! On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 8:00 AM, join us at 14TENN (1410 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN) for our International Women’s Day Breakfast. Be inspired by Jessica Buchanan, keynote speaker and author, as she shares her incredible story of resilience. The event supports the Women’s Health Fund at Nashville General Hospital. Don’t miss this empowering morning!
Program Updates Diabetes Education Pilot Program
This innovative program empowers patients with education and tools to manage diabetes. Highlights include A1C testing, nutritional coaching, and personalized care plans.
"I feel more confident managing my diabetes," shares a recent participant.
Community Support Mitsui USA Donates Car Seats
Mitsui USA has generously donated car seats to Nashville General Hospital's Labor and Delivery Department, ensuring that new parents have access to essential safety equipment for their infants. This contribution reflects Mitsui USA's commitment to supporting community health and safety.
In The News NewsChannel5: Enoch Fuzz's Powerful Mission to Nourish the Heart
Even while battling stage four cancer, Nashville pastor Enoch Fuzz is proving that resilience and compassion can drive incredible change. Through his partnership with NewsChannel 5's "Nourish the Heart" campaign, he’s raising awareness about food insecurity and inspiring others to take action.
Featured Fund Food As Medicine Fund: Transforming Lives Through Nutrition
Did you know that nutritious food can be as essential to health as medicine? Our Food As Medicine Fund supports Nashville General Hospital’s Food Pharmacy, which provides no-cost food totes filled with fresh produce and shelf-stable items tailored to meet the dietary needs of patients with chronic illnesses. In 2024, 167,256 meals were delivered, helping patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life. Your contribution empowers vulnerable patients facing food insecurity and chronic illness to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Volunteer Spotlight Scout: A Four-Legged Friend Bringing Comfort and Joy
Meet Scout, a golden doodle, and her handler, Rebecca Santamaria. Through Nashville Therapy Pets, Scout’s visits to Nashville General bring smiles and comfort to patients, families, and staff. From veterans to children, Scout’s gentle spirit touches hearts in profound ways.
Volunteer Opportunity Grant Supports Creative Healing
Nashville General Hospital Foundation has received a $4,000 grant from the M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation to launch a bedside art therapy program. This initiative brings creative expression directly to patients, enhancing their healing experience. Local artists and volunteers lead the bedside sessions, helping patients experience the therapeutic benefits of creative expression.
General's Call Center Rallies Behind Nashville General Hospital Foundation’s All-Weather Wellness Campaign
The General's Customer Service Call Center, led by Angie Walker, donated nearly 100 winter essentials to Nashville General Hospital's All-Weather Wellness Fund, ensuring patients stay warm and comfortable this season.
Reflecting on her inspiration, Angie Walker shared, “I have been in the Nashville General Hospital Emergency Room and witnessed firsthand how some patients didn’t have adequate clothing for the season. I knew I needed to do something.”
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.
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, we aim to improve access to healthcare and empower all Nashvillians to achieve new heights of wellness. Together, we are building a vibrant community where health and well-being thrive and individuals can flourish.