Saint Francis Hospital Foundation
Board Meeting Minutes
Conference Room A, 95 Woodland
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Present: Robert P. Albanesi, Richard M. Barry, John M. Burns, Anthony J. Campanelli, Angelo Carabba,
M.D., Ranjana Chawla, R. Michael Curran, Christopher Dadlez, Mary G. Flaherty, Barbara L. Flynn, Robert
J. Gfeller, M.D., Joanne K. Hoye, Myles N. Hubbard, Ronald D. Jarvis, Robert M. Jeresaty, M.D., Peter G.
Kelly, Scott A. LaBonte, David A. Lentini, Robert M. Levin, Frank Longobardi, Joe K. Mensah, Daniel P.
O’Connell, Howard W. Orr, Jr., Carol M. Proom, Curtis D. Robinson, Kathleen Roche, Steve Rosenberg,
Dennis J. Rusconi, Edward A. Santos, Susan M. Scherer, Howard A. Shaw, M.D., J. Brian Smith, Joseph J.
Spalluto, Jeffrey Steinberg, M.D., Irene M. Triompo, and Eric M. Zachs.
Staff: Karen Gigliotti, Kristen Loparco, Paul Pendergast and Philip Rockwell.
Excused: Geno Auriemma, Robert D. Batch, Gregory A. Boyko, Howard L. Carver, Edward P. Danek, Jr.,
Brad Davis, Robert W. Fiondella, Edward Gales, Mary A. Glassman, Thomas J. Godar, John A. Green,
James T. Healey, Joan T. Holobinko, Karl J. Krapek, John R. Longo, Bret Maffett, Most Reverend Henry J.
Mansell, E. Merritt McDonough, Sr., Thomas F. Mullaney, Jr., Pauline N. Olsen, M.D., William Reis, John
W. Rodgers, M.D., Susan J. Sappington, Harold A. Smullen, C. Stephen Wolf, M.D., and Kristen A. Zarfos,
M.D.
Call to Order
Peter Kelly welcomed board members, staff and guests to the Foundation Board Meeting.
Blessing
Daniel O’Connell offered the blessing.
Welcome
Christopher Dadlez welcomed and thanked Board members, staff and guests for attending the event. The
2007 year has started better than any of Chris’s previous years at the hospital. Everything is aligning within
the hospital, including: amazing clinical outcomes, technological advances and significant recognition
around the region. We are managing our successes.
The hospital is at capacity on every floor, including the Emergency Room, which is bursting at its seams.
The timing of the new Patient Care Tower couldn’t be better. Hospital for Special Care is moving to the 5th
Floor at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Jeff Steinberg is reorganizing and scheduling 160 new physicians. With such a tremendous nursing
shortage, we are fortunate to have hired 60 graduate nurses who started training yesterday. Special thanks to
Kate Roche for her hard work and energy.
It is critical that Chris Dadlez and Paul Pendergast spread the message of Saint Francis outside the hospital.
The state of Connecticut does not sufficiently fund Medicaid. As a result, Saint Francis is shortchanged $28
million annually. Budget planning is a very challenging endeavor.
The Legislature recently approved a study to be conducted on the proposed UConn Health Center expansion.
Saint Francis will be involved with this study. We are hopeful that the outcome will indicate that a new John
Dempsey Hospital is not necessary.
The hospital is in the process of creating a new Joint Center. There will be three floors of new patient rooms
(36 rooms on each floor). Saint Francis will oversee the second largest Joint Center on the East Coast of the
United States when it is established. During the last week of July, new surgeon Gordon Zimmerman begins
his first joint replacement surgery at Saint Francis Hospital. A huge marketing campaign for the Joint Center
is scheduled to begin the same week.
A Fact Sheet is being created to assist Corporators and friends of Saint Francis with their role as hospital
ambassadors within the community.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the Foundation Board Meeting on December 13, 2006 were approved as presented.
Resolution
Peter Kelly stated that 65 board members (maximum) approved.
Capital Campaign Update
On behalf of Susan Sappington, Phil Rockwell reported on the fantastic results of the Capital Campaign.
Over $28 million was raised (exceeding the goal of $27.8 million). Under the leadership of Peter Kelly and
Barbara Flynn, the campaign had an excellent start. The campaign concluded under the guidance of Bob
Gfeller and the medical team staff. Letters were sent to all those involved with this campaign; a truly
amazing team effort.
President’s Report
Paul asked each board member to introduce themselves and briefly share information with the group. Paul’s
one-year anniversary at Saint Francis occurred on June 1st. He sincerely believes that he made the right
decision coming to Saint Francis
Paul gave special thanks to Susan Sappington and all persons involved in this effort. To recognize their
tireless work and dedication, a display will be placed in the main lobby of the new Patient Care Tower. We
are hopeful that a ceremony will occur in late fall. Dan and Nancy O’Connell have committed a substantial
donation towards the construction of the new John T. O’Connell Tower. The Foundation Office has reached
the 80% mark of its fundraising goal for the current fiscal year. We are hoping that new staff, new
committees and reorganization will allow us to meet our ultimate goal. The Foundation includes 10 full-time
staff members, three of whom are directly involved in fundraising cultivation / solicitation efforts. The
balance of the staff handles operation and administration functions.
There is tremendous grant money at both the state and federal level. We are working with the Capital
Region Educational Council (CREC) and the Magnet School System. They are helping us in our efforts to
secure substantial federal grants. Communication with hospital grant writers is critical to consolidate this
process. Too much grant money is being left on the table due to this lack of communication.
Major Gifts – Reviewing the past number of years, there have been two major Capital Campaigns. One of
these campaigns was successfully finished in January. Much of the participation came from the dedicated
people in this room today, including the medical and dental staffs.
We continue to be one of the Top 50 Hospital’s in the country. Chris and Paul continue to cultivate
prospects in other areas of the state (outside the greater Hartford area).
Paul shared the story of a very influential Greenwich man who recently traveled to visit family in Greece.
While in Greece, it was discovered that a family member of his needed surgery for an aneurism. The family
did not want this surgery to occur in Greece. Saint Francis was mentioned. A lot of work was required to
translate records and information for surgery to occur within the United States. This individual was flown to
the U.S. and underwent a very successful operation at the hospital (under the supervision of Dr. Eugene
Sullivan). Today, this former patient is back in Greece enjoying a healthy life.
Communication: Profiles and our newsletter are ways to reach out and connect with donors.
There are 700 Saint Francis Corporators. These individuals are valued friends of the hospital and
distinguished members of the community. The Foundation recently hosted three Corporator Receptions this
spring Joel Hershberger is the lead contact with these goodwill ambassadors.
Events:
Swing for Saint Francis, Golf and Tennis Outing – This event will be held on Monday, July 16th. Afternoon
golf is sold out. Participation for morning golf is going very well.
MIRACLES Gala – Our goal is to reach capacity of 1,500 persons. This event will be slightly different than
past galas. This year’s event will celebrate all the wonderful things occurring at the hospital.
Kids for Philanthropy: Where (and when) are you introduced to philanthropy in your life? In many
instances, it occurs after a pleasant / beneficial Saint Francis experience
The Foundation Office has been introduced to a new program. Whitney Hubbs Dionne has nurtured this
program since its inception. Kristen Loparco spoke of several children being involved with the hospital and
raising money for Saint Francis. We plan to further develop and nurture this program. Many of our Board
members have already introduced their children and grandchildren to philanthropy in some way.
Summer internships are another way to connect young professionals with the hospital. The Foundation
Office currently has three interns.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Annual Giving
Barbara Flynn (committee co-chair) led this report. Annual appeals were mailed last fall. Follow-up
information will be sent to those who have not responded. The new Employee “Spirit of Giving” Campaign
will begin this fall. There is a new level of giving called the Century Society. We are encouraging people to
move to the next level of giving. We include an envelope in all our mailings. The Annual Giving
Committee is scheduled to meet in early July. This committee will work on increasing the Annual Giving
level.
Special Events
Bob Levin (committee co-chair) directed this update. This committee focuses on Corporate Sponsorships for
the Foundation’s three major fundraising events: MIRACLES, Swing for Saint Francis and the Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation Golf Classic.
Corporate Partner Program statistics to date: 40 Corporate Partners gave $395,200. Not only are we ahead of
where we were at this time last year, but we have surpassed the final numbers from all of last year. We
currently have eight MIRACLES Corporate Sponsorships that equal $47,000. We had one Sponsor ($4,000)
at this time last year. Swing for Saint Francis presently has five Corporate Sponsors. There were four last
year. There was an 8% revenue increase for the Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Golf Classic.
Bret Maffett (committee co-chair) has worked extremely hard. It would be helpful if the attendees at today’s
meeting could help solicit / identify a corporate sponsor. We would like to add at least ten more before the
end of the year. Amy Griffin has done an incredible job leading this charge.
Planned Giving
Dan O’Connell spoke on behalf of this committee.
This marks the 10-year anniversary of The Valencia Society, chaired by Nicki and Bill O’Neill.
There are approximately 250 Valencia Society members. They will be recognized with a plaque and there
will be at a celebration in October for the founding members.
Members of the committee will serve as contacts for donor prospects. At a recent succession planning
seminar at The University of Hartford, Dennis Rusconi was one of the presenters. There are professional
advisors working with certain individuals and setting up their estate plans. There is a plan for committee
members to review prospect lists.
The “Leave a Legacy” article in The Hartford Courant that was sent out earlier this month went to more than
200,000 homes across the state. This is a “painless” way to give to Saint Francis Hospital.
Major Gifts
Howard Carver was unable to attend today’s meeting. Paul spoke in his absence. We have been working to
identify A, B and C lists of prospects to contact and nurture. We have been working on identifying the best
way to reach these important prospects.
President’s Advisory
Susan Scherer said that the two meetings of the committee have been lively and productive. Paul updated
the group on the hospital’s involvement with legislative initiatives.
The Foundation has assumed most of the Community Relations responsibilities of the hospital. Karen
Gigliotti is the key contact with the majority of these external endeavors. She is seeking the best sponsorship
opportunities and is using the sponsorships as cultivation opportunities.
No new Business was mentioned. Chris Dadlez reminded folks there was a form in their packet for anyone
interested in donating wine to the silent auction at MIRACLES.
Thanks to everyone for attending.
The next meeting will be on December 13, 2007.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara L. Flynn, Secretary