Philanthrophy 2004

Health Care Philanthropies Look to the Future

Jeff Ellis of Lathrop & Gage may have summed it up best. Towards the end of a productive assembly on the role of philanthropy in health care, he observed that there was one message he hoped readers would come away with, namely that well meaning people have met and are struggling with a very complex issue and are seeking prioritizations, ways to stratify and focus and be more efficient. Readers of this issue will get a glimpse at just how complex the issue is.

Ellis was one of nearly forty interested parties, both providers and funders, who joined Ingram's annual Industry Outlook on Philanthropy, graciously hosted by the Kauffman Foundation and its most helpful representative, Lesa Mitchell.

This assembly was part of Ingram's ongoing effort to highlight issues of community concern in Kansas Citys greater metropolitan area. Although there was candid and occasionally charged conversation, the overall mood was upbeat, optimistic and entirely indicative of Kansas Citys can-do spirit.

Strengthening the Safety Net

As an initial question, those gathered were asked to identify the greatest challenge facing the philanthropic sector of the health care community. Although there was a wide range of answers, one persistent theme was the increasing reliance of health care providers on foundations and other funders to finance basic primary care services.

Davoren Tempel of the Childrens Mercy Hospital Foundation explained without illusion the challenge that funders face. As she noted, there is a continuing ratcheting down of reimbursement from just about every source including Medicaid, managed care, charitable dollars, and city and federal funding. Foundations are being asked to make up the shortfall. It is imperative, she believes, that the philanthropic entities and the administrations do their strategic planning together and also make the public aware that the marriage of public and private dollars is essential for the safety net hospitals.

(front row, left to right)

Robert St. Peter
Kansas Health Institute

Denny Barnett
Kansas City’s Promise

Terry Snapp
Truman Charitable Foundation

Davoren Tempel
Children’s Mercy Hospital Foundation

Jeff Ellis
Lathrop & Gage

Dr. Mike Jurkovich, Catholic Charities

Eunice Johnson
Samuel Rodgers Community Health Center

(second row, left to right)

Dietrich Willke
City of Kansas City

Airat Aitniakov
City of Kansas City

Samara Klein
Children’s Benefits Service for Families

Jan Leonard
UMB Bank

Brenda Sharpe
REACH Foundation

Janice Benjamin
Kansas University Endowment Association

Sr. Helen Bristow
Duchesne Clinic

Becky Schaid
Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation 

Liz Levin
Cabot Westside Clinic

(third row, left to right)

Lesa Mitchell
Kauffman Foundation

Patricia Wyatt
Swope Ridge Geriatric Center

Dr. Bridget McCandless
Health Care Foundation of Greater KC

Jeanne Rooney
UMB Bank

Gayla Brockman
Menorah Legacy Foundation

Sheridan Wood
Kansas City Free Health Clinic

Mark Litzler
St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation

(back row, left to right)

Jeff Simon
Husch & Eppenberger/Little Sisters of the Poor

Jay Menitove
Community Blood Center of Kansas City

Sr. Marguerite McCarthy
Little Sisters of the Poor

Bill Bruning
Mid-America Health Coalition

Hilda Fuentes
Kansas City Health Department

David Miles
H&R Block Foundation 

Susan McLoughlin
Maternal & Child Health Coalition

Benjamin Pettus
Jr., Samuel Rodgers Community Health Center

Janet Baker
UMKC School of Medicine

LaTrisha Underhill
City of Kansas City