All Saints’ commitment to the health and well being of Greater Racine goes beyond the typical patient/provider relationship. The following programs benefit the area at little or no cost to those in our community:

• Health education classes
• Support groups
• Senior programs
• Financial counseling
• Education fairs
• Screenings and clinics

Associates and physicians actively participate in many community projects and donate time and resources to local organizations in need. Through All Saints’ Work a Little Magic program, last year nearly 280 associates donated almost 1500 hours of their time to local outreach efforts, including:

• Hot meal programs
• Food banks 
• The Salvation Army® Red Kettle Campaign
• Junior Achievement
• Local runs/walks

In addition, many physicians volunteered their time, and associates donated supplies and funds to help support Racine Health Care Network’s goal of providing free or low-cost medical services to the community’s underserved population.

The Mission team at All Saints coordinates:

• Annual school supply drives for students in the Racine Unified School District
• Clothing drives for survivors of sexual abuse
• Birthday party boxes for Halo, an organization that works with the homeless

A big thanks to our supporters in the community
The community’s commitment to All Saints, in return, is exemplary. Last year, more than 46,000 hours of time were contributed through our Volunteen and Volunteer programs and raised nearly $77,000 to meet the program and equipment needs for All Saints.

Getting kids excited about a career in health care
Growth and development of the health care workforce is also a focus for All Saints, which not only includes opportunities for the hospital’s current physicians and associates, but for area youth as well. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle recognized the Youth Apprentice Program at All Saints as a model for apprenticeship programs. Nearly 200 students have completed programs since 1993.

Other initiatives include: 

Highlighting health care
Through this program, All Saints targets high school students to build awareness for health care careers.
 

Career Discovery Solutions
Middle school students are reached with this program, financed and coordinated by Rotary International® in cooperation with Racine Unified School District.

Nurse residency program, preceptor program, and Frontline Leader Academy
With these organizationally sustained programs, recruitment and retention of nurses has increased.

Keeping kids safe
In 2007, All Saints became the lead agency for Safe Kids Kenosha and Racine Counties, which builds awareness of the prevention of childhood injuries through education and free services.

Volunteers in Partnership
Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) supports All Saints through volunteer time and fundraising to provide equipment, scholarships, and other programs as needed.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints Foundation
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints Foundation supports a number of projects affiliated with the hospital. The Foundation solicits philanthropic contributions on behalf of the hospital departments and facilities and engages in activities to benefit the general community. Fundraising efforts help to make many valuable services possible, including:

• Free or discounted health care services for low-income individuals
• Targeted services to senior patients
• Scholarships to enhance the professional development of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare staff

Several other programs help meet community needs: 

Hope Fund
The financial burden of cancer can be devastating in most households. The Hope Fund helps cancer victims meet these expenses.

Therapeutic hypothermia coolers
Using a technique called “therapeutic hypothermia,” paramedics can use cold IV fluid to drop a patient’s body temperature in the ambulance, increasing the chance of survival from a heart attack. Twenty-one special coolers were provided through the All Saints Foundation to Racine Emergency Medical Services for this purpose. 

Mental health and addiction programs  A key program is Fresh Start, a partnership with the Racine Unified School District that helps grade school children with adjustment difficulties to develop positive behaviors, receive proper medications, and find family-centered support.

Racine PAD program
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in America. If the heart is shocked quickly with a defibrillator, however, a normal heart rhythm can be restored and a life may be saved. The Racine Area Public Access Defibrillator Program (PAD) funds defibrillators at various public sites throughout the community.

Health care education scholarships
The Nursing Scholarship Program is working to improve nurse recruitment, retention, and satisfaction. All Saints School of Radiologic Technology is also working to provide endowed scholarships for worthy individuals in the fast-growing field of radiology.

Parish nursing
After receiving specialized education in parish nursing, registered nurses reach out to low-income neighborhoods lacking basic health resources and information. Parish nurses provide educational outreach and primary care services, such as blood pressure checks and weight management.

All Saints Mother Clara Healthy Connections clinic
Since 2006, the All Saints Mother Clara Healthy Connections clinic has served the poorest of the poor in the Racine community. These patients have no insurance and do not qualify for assistance. The clinic is run by a registered nurse who sees patients that have been referred for further education and support based on their health care needs.

Upendo Village HIV/AIDS Women project
Founded by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, Upendo Village provides a safe haven for women and children in Kenya affected by HIV/AIDS. All Saints sponsors a nurse who provides care for residents of the village.

Wheaton’s total benefit to the community in fiscal year 2010 was $105.3 million including $16. 8 in charity care (actual cost of providing that care). For a breakdown of community benefit contributions in Southeast Wisconsin, click here.  

Learn more about Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s community impact in our Annual Report.