Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernardine Medical Center Award Over $263,000 to 17 Organizations

On Thursday, Jan. 23, Community Hospital of San Bernardino and St. Bernardine Medical Center recognized 17 local nonprofit organizations for their efforts to improve the health and quality of life in the Inland Empire. The awards ceremony was held at the Rezek Centre on St. Bernardine’s campus, located at 2101 N. Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino. Through Dignity Health’s Community Grants Program, the hospitals awarded a total of $263,741 in grant funding to the following nonprofit organizations in support of their work to improve access to health care, chronic disease education and youth development. Recipients include: Alzheimer's Association, $5,254; Al-Shifa Clinic, $25,000; American Lung Association, $5,254; Assistance League of San Bernardino, Dr. Earl R. Crane Children's Dental Health Center, $18,750; Boys & Girls Club of Redlands, $13,750; Catholic Charities of San Bernardino & Riverside, $18,750; Central City Lutheran Mission, $11,250; El Sol Neighborhood Center, $13,483; H Street Clinic, $11,000; Inland Caregivers Resource Center, $13,365; Inland Empire Palliative Care Coalition, $13,375; Legal Aid of San Bernardino, $25,000; Lestonnac Free Clinic, $13,750; Mary's Mercy Center, $25,000; Salvation Army Riverside & San Bernardino County, $15,000; San Bernardino Sexual Assault Services, $25,000; Special Olympics, $10,000, all for a total of $263,741. Through the contributions from each of Dignity Health’s 40 hospitals, including Community Hospital and St. Bernardine, in 2013, Dignity Health was able to fund more than $6 million in grant awards to nonprofit organizations in California, Arizona and Nevada. “Dignity Health’s Community Grants Program reflects our strong commitment to serve our community, not only as health care providers, but also as a partner to those who work to better the lives of others,” said Linda McDonald, Dignity Health Inland Empire vice president of Mission Services. “This year, Community Hospital of San Bernardino and St. Bernardine Medical Center are pleased to offer more than $263,000 to worthy organizations that provide important services such as youth development programs and resources that improve access to health and dental care for the underserved.” Since the Community Grants Program began in 1990, Dignity Health has encouraged hospitals to expand their health care mission beyond the hospital campus. The 2013 Community Grants cycle marks the 23rd year of this program. Since 1990, Dignity Health has awarded $51 in grants in the tri-state area. To be selected for a grant, an organization or program must meet one or more of the following criteria: address the greatest health needs of the community; emphasize prevention to address the underlying cause of health problems; contribute to a seamless continuum of care; build upon and mobilize existing services in the community; and engage diverse community stakeholders in implementation and oversight.