Pardee Hospital Foundation

Gift to Pardee Hospital Foundation provides four new vehicles to help clinicians bring compassionate care directly to patients’ homes.

 The impact of philanthropy doesn’t stop at the hospital doors. Sometimes, it travels down winding mountain roads, into rural communities and right to the front door of a patient who needs care at home.

A recent gift to the Pardee Hospital Foundation made possible the purchase of four new Subaru Crosstrek vehicles for Pardee Home Health, providing dedicated transportation for clinicians who travel throughout Western North Carolina to care for patients in the comfort of their homes.

Pardee Home Health clinicians serve patients across five counties—Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania, Polk and Rutherford counties, often navigating rural roads and challenging terrain to reach those who need care. Before this gift, clinicians relied on their personal vehicles for work-related travel and received mileage reimbursement. The addition of four dedicated vehicles provides a new resource for the team while supporting the care they provide throughout the region.

Because more than four clinicians make home visits, the vehicles were assigned to team members with the highest logged mileage, prioritizing those who travel most often to see patients.

“Home health is really the bridge between the hospital and the patient,” said Chloe Aguilar, licensed physical therapist with Pardee Home Health. “We want to do everything in our power to keep them home.”

That commitment means meeting patients where they are, whether they are recovering after a hospital stay, managing a chronic condition or working to keep their independence. Receiving care at home allows clinicians to understand patients’ needs within their everyday environments and tailor their care accordingly.

“The greatest impact you can have on a patient is seeing them in their home environment,” said Rachel Forbes-Harvin, director of care innovation for Home Health Support Service. “The home environment gives you a different perspective on what they need and how you can best support them.”

Pardee Home Health offers a range of in-home services, including skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and diabetes management. Its multidisciplinary team includes registered nurses, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and home health aides. The home health team, made up of 30 clinicians, sees an average of 170 patients a day.

For the home health team, reliable transportation is an essential part of reaching patients throughout the region. Western North Carolina’s varied terrain and rural roads can present unique challenges. The new vehicles offer dedicated transportation allowing home health staff the ability to better navigate the region and move between patient visits.

The benefit extends beyond transportation. By supporting the staff who provide care every day, the gift helps strengthen the connection between patients and the services they need.

“Home health allows us to plant a seed to say, ‘We are here for you,’” Aguilar said. “We want patients to know they have a team supporting them, even after they leave the hospital.”

This gift illustrates how philanthropy can make a meaningful difference throughout the health care journey, including in places far removed from a hospital setting. Through the generosity of donors, the Pardee Hospital Foundation helps support the resources and services that enable UNC Health Pardee to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

“This gift is a wonderful example of how philanthropy can make a difference well beyond the hospital walls,” said Amy Treece, executive director of the Pardee Hospital Foundation. “By investing in the people who provide care and the resources they need to reach patients, our donors help extend the reach of compassionate care throughout our communities.”

Whether supporting services within the hospital or helping clinicians reach patients miles away, philanthropy plays an important role in making care more accessible across Western North Carolina.

Hear from Chloe Aguilar about the power local philanthropy.

Pardee Hospital Foundation recently celebrated 38 Pardee teammates who received Circle of Caring scholarships during a reception honoring their commitment to professional growth and the physicians whose generosity makes the program possible.

This year, more than $46,000 in Circle of Caring scholarships was awarded to Pardee teammates pursuing additional education, certifications and professional development. The scholarships are funded through donations from members of the Circle of Caring giving society, members of Pardee medical staff who are committed to investing in the continued growth of their colleagues.

The impact of this investment extends beyond the individual recipients. Through advanced training and continuing education, Circle of Caring scholarships help strengthen the knowledge and skills of Pardee’s workforce across multiple service lines. Scholarship-supported training has helped prepare Emergency Department staff for Pardee’s Level III Trauma Center designation and has supported professional development that directly benefits patients receiving wound care, occupational health, physical therapy, and other services.

By helping teammates build specialized skills and expand their expertise, Circle of Caring supports Pardee’s ongoing commitment to high-quality care and the evolving needs of the community.

The Circle of Caring Scholarship Program was established by a team of physicians led by Joel Callahan, MD, with a vision of creating opportunities for Pardee teammates to further their education and advance their careers while strengthening the future of health care at Pardee. Dr. Callahan, a neurologist and former Pardee Chief of Staff, continues to champion the program alongside fellow members of the medical staff.

“When we created Circle of Caring, the goal was simple: to invest in the people who are investing their careers in Pardee and in the patients we serve,” said Joel Callahan, MD, founder of the Circle of Caring Scholarship Program. “It is incredibly rewarding to see this vision continue to grow and to know that our medical staff can play a direct role in helping our teammates pursue their goals.”

The recent reception brought together scholarship recipients and members of the medical staff who support Circle of Caring. Each recipient and physician supporter in attendance received a commemorative Circle of Caring lapel pen as a symbol of their connection to the program and a visual reminder of the shared commitment behind the scholarships.

“The Circle of Caring program is a wonderful example of physicians investing directly in their colleagues and in the future of Pardee,” said Amy Treece, executive director of Pardee Hospital Foundation. “These scholarships provide meaningful opportunities for our teammates to continue learning, grow in their careers and ultimately bring that knowledge back to the patients and families they serve. We are incredibly grateful to the medical staff who make this possible.”

Since its launch, Circle of Caring has provided Pardee teammates with opportunities to pursue medical certifications, leadership training and other educational programs. The program reflects the belief that supporting the professional growth of Pardee’s workforce strengthens the entire organization and the care it provides to the community.

Pardee Hospital Foundation congratulates this year’s 38 scholarship recipients and extends its gratitude to the members of the Pardee medical staff whose continued generosity makes Circle of Caring possible.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the month, the Hendersonville community will have numerous opportunities to come together in support of Women Helping Women, an annual initiative of the Pardee Hospital Foundation that helps advance breast health education, access and community awareness.

The centerpiece of the month is the 29th Annual Women Helping Women Luncheon, presented by First Bank, on Friday, October 23, at Blue Ridge Community College. This year’s keynote speaker, Nicole Phillips, is a breast cancer survivor, bestselling author and host of the Kindness Podcast. Phillips will share her personal story and message of courage, kindness and hope. 

“Women Helping Women is about so much more than one event,” said Amy Treece, executive director of the Pardee Hospital Foundation. “It’s about a community coming together throughout the entire month of October to show up for women in our community. We are incredibly grateful to the local businesses, organizations and individuals who are finding creative ways to make a difference.”

Get Involved Throughout October

Community members can support Women Helping Women throughout October by participating in a variety of local fundraisers and special events:

• Tooley’s Cafe — Every Thursday in October, 10% of proceeds will be donated to Women Helping Women.
• Alykat Deli — Every Tuesday in October, 10% of proceeds will be donated to Women Helping Women.
• Green River BBQ — Every Wednesday in October, 10% of proceeds will be donated to Women Helping Women.
• Campfire Grill — October 9 – 31, $5 from every signature “Pink Lady” cocktail will be donated to Women Helping Women.
• Piggy & Harry’s — Saturday, Oct. 3, a percentage of sales will be donated to Women Helping Women.
• Creasman FarmsU-pick and Give Back — Sunday, Oct. 4, from 12 Noon – 5 PM
• Hendersonville Country Club Tennis & Pickleball Round Robin — Wednesday, October 7 (Members only)
• Fireside Golf “Puttin’ for Pink” — Saturday, October 10 
• West First Wood-Fired Pizza — Oct. 19-24 – all proceeds from coconut cake slices and whole-cake pre-orders benefiting Women Helping Women.

“These partnerships are a wonderful example of what happens when our community comes together around a shared purpose,” Treece said. “Whether you attend the luncheon, enjoy a meal at a participating restaurant, join an event or simply share information with a friend, every act of support helps us reach more women.”

Join Us for Women Helping Women

Tickets are available now for the 29th Annual Women Helping Women Luncheon, which will begin at 11 AM on Friday, October 23, at Blue Ridge Community College. The luncheon offers an opportunity to gather with friends and colleagues while supporting an important cause that touches women and their families throughout our community.

Purchase your Women Helping Women tickets and join us for an inspiring afternoon of knowledge, community and hope.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Find More Ways to Get Involved 

The October lineup includes opportunities for individuals, families, businesses and community groups to participate in Women Helping Women throughout the month.

Visit the Pardee Hospital Foundation events calendar for the complete list of Women Helping Women events and community give-back opportunities happening throughout October.

VIEW OUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

About Women Helping Women

Founded in 1998, Women Helping Women is a signature program of Pardee Hospital Foundation dedicated to advancing women’s health through education, early detection, and innovation. The program empowers women with the knowledge to take charge of their breast health while supporting investments in advanced breast imaging technology and other innovative resources that enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Through the generosity of donors and sponsors, Women Helping Women helps ensure women throughout Western North Carolina have access to exceptional breast care close to home

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