SAN DIEGO–Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) employees have set a standard for charitable giving in the northern San Diego County health district.
Nearly seven in 10 PPH employees have made donations to the “i care. i give.” employee capital campaign in support of the PPH facilities master plan. They have raised more than $2 million.
A key beneficiary of the employees’ generosity is the new Palomar Medical Center, which will open next summer in west Escondido.
“Our employees understand and appreciate the vision we are crafting for the future and that is evident by their participation in our campaign. I’m humbled by it,” says Michael H. Covert, PPH President and CEO and Interim PPH Foundation President.
To date, 67 percent of PPH’s 3,965 employees have donated to the “i care. i give.” campaign. Nearly 100 employees have given $5,000 or more.
The $2 million-plus donation from PPH employees will, among other things, help pay for new equipment and furniture for the new 11-story hospital.
In all, the PPH Foundation plans to raise $55 million in private philanthropy for the “Building your Healthcare System of the Future” capital campaign in support of the facilities master pan from individuals, businesses, foundations, employees, medical staff members and organizations.
Construction of the $956-million new hospital has been paid largely from the sale of voter-approved bonds and other revenues.
Employee donations have ranged from one-time cash gifts to multi-year pledges, including paid time off. Most donors are doing multi-year pledges.
Genie Tanksley, PPH financial analyst, and her husband pledged $25,000 to the new hospital last year at the PPH Foundation’s annual “Night of Nights Gala.”
“What better way for my husband and I to personally demonstrate that we are thankful to PPH than to give back for our future?” says Tanksley.
Julie Eberlein, Human Resources employee retention specialist, says she donates because she appreciates everything PPH has done for her family.
“I have a nine-year-old disabled son and prior to me being employed by PPH I spent three years in and out of Palomar Medical Center. My son had very good care,” Eberlein says.
PPH is the largest by area health district in California and operates Palomar Medical Center in downtown Escondido and Pomerado Hospital in Poway.
For more information about the capital campaign and the May 19, 2012 “Night of Nights Gala” visit
http://www.pphfoundation.orgor call (760) 739-2787.
