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12 MetroWest495 Biz | February 2014 But when it comes to certain projects, like reno- vating a tired emergency room or building a state- of-the-art cancer wing, hospitals are also beholden to the generosity of others to bring visions to life. That's always been true, as philanthropy has long been an integral part of budgeting for capital improvement projects. But in the new health care environment, impacted by federal and state reform, those who work in the development arms of area hospitals say it means more than ever. "We need to rely on the generosity of the donors to complete our special projects," said Christine Schuster, CEO of Emerson Hospital in Concord. Emerson's development staff and volunteers nev- er stop raising money to support the hospital's an- nual appeal, but Emerson has also completed major projects through special fundraising campaigns in recent years. Those include a 2013 renovation of an inpatient unit that treats primarily cardiac patients, the recent creation of a community wellness center, and the construction of a new birthing center, to name just three. A lifeline for community hospitals P h o t o / E m i l y m i c u c c i Gloria Clough, a clinical specialist, said she and her husband Charles had a special connection with Emerson Hospital, in their hometown of Concord. She previously served as the medical facility's chaplain. The couple's 2006 donation of $1 million aided Emerson's surgical center, obstetrics and radiology department facelifts. Philanthropy Average funds raised by U.S. health-care institution type: 2012 Cash collected Production * # of institutions Tertiary $3.28 million $5.37 million 21 Teaching $13.25 million $15.46 million 37 Long-term care/hospice $2.3 million $3.5 million 8 Children's $23.5 million $21.34 million 14 Community $1.58 million $1.7 million 137 Other $8.56 million $8.61 million 35 All $2.9 million $3.22 million 259 (* - Amount of money both collected and pledged) Source: Association for Healthcare Philanthropy BY EMILY MICUCCI h ospitals are often viewed as big money-makers — organizations that rake in revenue in an industry that sometimes astonishes consumers with their costs.