Supporting Chester County Hospital's New Medical Building in Southern Chester County, PA Complements One of Oxford Area Foundation's Goals: To Enhance Healthcare Accessibility in the Community.
Published: The Chester County Hospital Foundation Donor Report FY2014
Since its establishment 10 years ago by John H. Ware, IV, the Oxford Area Foundation has supported numerous non-profit programs to improve the lives of area residents and help Oxford, PA thrive. "For example, we have awarded grants to fund organizations in need, such as local children's programs, community outreach efforts, such as a youth center and a senior citizens center, and health care initiatives," says Nancy Ware Sapp, board president.
The Foundation knew that half of Southern Chester County, PA residents must leave the area to seek medical treatment. So when they were approached by Chester County Hospital to financially support a 72,000-square foot medical campus locally, the foundation said "yes," with a $250,000 grant.
"Realizing that Oxford, PA residents who have to drive 45 minutes to access many Chester County Hospital doctors will be able to get care 15 minutes from their homes was a big plus in our decision to make a gift," Nancy says. "We are very diligent in how we evaluate each organization that comes to us for financial support. Chester County Hospital's proposal fit into our view that everyone deserves to have the best health care they can get."
The Ware family, descendants of John H. Ware, III, Republican U.S. Congressman from 1970-1975, also made the decision from a personal level. "In 2011, my father was very ill and needed surgery; because of the excellent staff in the cardiac care unit at Chester County Hospital, he is alive and well today," Nancy shares. Accrediting agencies also have recognized the excellence of Chester County Hospital's cardiac program, which earned the Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence; in 2012 its cardiac surgery program received three stars, the highest rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
The Hospital's new medical building in West Grove, PA - to be known as Penn Medicine Southern Chester County to recognize Chester County Hospital's recent membership in the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Health System - is expected to open in 2015.
The new medical facility is located on 45 acres at the corner of routes 1 and 796 in Penn Township, PA and will attract more than 20 physicians to the area in specialties like radiology, OB/GYN, cardiology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology and surgery, as well as an after-hours family care practice, and a laboratory.
"I was asked to be a steward of the Oxford Area Foundation's money, which I look upon as a great privilege. It is meant to achieve good in the community," Nancy passionately states. "Being a non-profit organization, it seemed logical to partner with a non-profit hospital for the betterment of Southern Chester County, PA. Our rapidly changing health care is certainly something we are cognizant of and want to ensure our community has options available to them."
By Gail Guterl