About Our Foundation

Areas of Need

The Ginny & Bob Shell Alzheimer’s Center at Parkway Village,
A BAPTIST HEALTH Community

Every 72 seconds a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cure, and the affects the disease has on the patient and their loved ones is no less than devastating. Although there is no cure, there is help for the caregiver who often can’t relinquish the responsibility of taking care of their mother, father, husband or wife to complete strangers.

There is good news!

The Ginny & Bob Shell Alzheimer’s Center is the safest, most secure center for Alzheimer’s –specific patients. The center offers a home atmosphere, encouraging families to decorate the patient’s apartment with their own home décor which minimizes the trauma of moving to a new place. The center will be located on the grounds of Parkway Village Health and Retirement Center, a gated and secure community. This extra level of security brings great peace of mind to our residents, their families and loved ones. More important, the center will be the ONLY center that accepts Alzheimer’s-only patients. This benefit is for the patients, whose caregivers will on-site 24/7 helping their patients with varying levels of dementia. This “high-touch” interaction will only be available at the center and loved ones can rest assured that they are providing the very best care without the guilt of “letting go.” It is often said that the caregivers must “take their oxygen first” meaning the chances of the caregivers’ health diminishing along with their loved ones is more likely.

The Ginny & Bob Shell Alzheimer’s Center will provide a family living environment similar to an apartment where each room will contain a private bathroom, living room area and limited kitchen facilities. The “apartment” will be a safe, secure private space for those residents with a disease that is not curable. Healthcare providers will have specific expertise in working with Alzheimer’s patients and family members, providing direct care and emotional support. Residents will be engaged from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, with an activities program unlike any other offered in the state, plus have medical assistance as ordered by their physicians. Apartments may be single or double occupancy to allow for husbands and wives who have both been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

BAPTIST HEALTH SCHOOLS LITTLE ROCK
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

BAPTIST HEALTH Schools Little Rock (BHSLR) has been preparing healthcare professionals since 1921. We not only offer year-long certificate programs, but an affiliation with colleges and universities, a two-year associate degree and a number of baccalaureate degree programs are possible. We are very proud to have the largest RN program in the state and produce approximately 20% of the state�s RN graduates each year. Every year we are impressed by the dedication of our student population. In general, they are working, have families, are over the age of 25, and have come to us trying to better their lives and the lives of their families. Each year, BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation strives to provide financial support to many of our deserving students. As seen below, our enrollment has increased significantly over the last several years, but our scholarships have not kept pace.

Additional scholarship opportunities at BHSLR will help patients by easing the national shortage of nurses and enabling patients to continue receiving quality healthcare. Scholarships also help deserving students as they continue to work towards their educational goals.

Students submit their scholarship applications during the spring and early summer of each year. Recipients are selected by a Selection Committee, and a Scholarship Awards Reception is held during the fall semester for donors, faculty, staff, and students. Scholarship funds are transferred directly to each recipient�s BHSLR student account to be used for tuition and school-related purposes.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS (CHC)

Community Health Clinics (CHC) provide health care regardless of ability to pay, even with no health insurance. A CHC must be located in or serve a high need community, i.e. �medically underserved areas� or �medically underserved populations.� They must provide comprehensive primary care services as well as supportive services such as translation and transportation services that promote access to health care. Their services must be available to all residents of their service areas, with fees adjusted upon patients� ability to pay.

In 1997 BAPTIST HEALTH recognized a significant need in the community of First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock to provide healthcare services. BAPTIST HEALTH agreed to cover the expense for one registered nurse one day a week. First Presbyterian Church agreed to host the clinic one day a week within their facilities. The clinic is open every Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The purpose of the clinic is to provide basic healthcare and healthcare education to homeless individuals and families resulting in the prevention of widespread disease while encouraging healthy living behaviors. First Presbyterian Church is also home to the Stew Pot, a soup kitchen that provides hot lunch meals to approximately 150 homeless individuals and families Monday through Friday.

Individualized Health Education
Blood Pressure Screening
Cholesterol Screening
Blood Sugar Screening
Health Monitoring
First Aid
Parasitic Treatment (lice)
Nutrition Counseling
Mental Health Assessment
Referral to appropriate resources

eCare Mobile

The eCare Mobile unit is a vital component of an eICU program. It can be moved into any patient room that has eICU network access. It enables that room and patient to immediately become part of an eICU network and thus part of the hospital�s critical care department. Mounted on a wheeled base, it contains a laptop computer, camera, microphone, and patient care tools.

Not all critically ill patients are in an ICU bed. Patients in any room can deteriorate and require rapid response. Through BAPTIST HEALTH�S new eICU� Program, �intensivists� and critical care nurses are instantly ready to help these patients from a centralized remote location. They are virtually �at the bedside� communicating with the patient and healthcare professionals through a computer network with video, audio, and data hook-up in the patient�s room. The eICU program also prevents inappropriate transfers of patients to ICU which helps contain healthcare costs. However, many of the BHMC � Stuttgart patient rooms do not have eICU bedside equipment. Installing it in every room is impractical and very costly. Also, BAPTIST HEALTH must increase its ability to respond to major disasters affecting the lives of many people at one time.

Our goal is to obtain two eCare Mobile units (the portable version of the installed eICU equipment) for BHMC-LR and BHMC-NLR. This unit can be wheeled into patient rooms and connected to the eICU network when needed. To provide eICU access at a temporary triage center should a major disaster occur.

Emergency Department Expansion Project

The Emergency Department (ED) main entrance, waiting room, and triage/admissions area are the three components addressed in this area of need. The ED sees more than 50,000 patients per year and each patient brings an average of 2.3 family members with them.

When family members bring a loved one to the hospital, they sometimes have difficulty finding the ED. Once inside, they may have to stand because the waiting area has space for only 29 chairs. The entry, waiting area and triage/admissions area are adjacent to one another and so all three areas are congested with the overflow of waiting people. Healthcare professionals are hampered by the crowds as they try to serve patients and maintain their privacy. During peak hours, some people resort to standing outdoors on the delivery dock. A waiting patient has no separate place to lie down and may not be able to sit near the restroom. Only one room is available for the family of a trauma patient.

Our goal is to construct three triage/admissions areas for quicker assessment and treatment, to construct an ED entrance with better visibility and to enlarge the waiting area, to provide more space between the entry, triage/admissions area, and waiting area, and to build a second family room, enlarge the restrooms, and create a separate area where waiting patients can lie down and/or be close to the restrooms.

Endowed Scholarship Fund

Our goal is to provide additional scholarships in 2009 to better serve our student population and t provide financial support in the form of BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation Scholarships to at least 350 students who meet the academic and financial criteria.

Scholarships will help ease the national shortage of nurses.

Faculty Innovation in Education Endowment

BAPTIST HEALTH Schools Little Rock (BHSLR) has been preparing healthcare professionals since 1921. We not only offer year-long certificate programs, but an affiliation with colleges and universities, a two-year associate degree and a number of baccalaureate degree programs are possible. We are very proud to have the largest RN program in the state and produce approximately 20% of the state’s RN graduates each year. Every year we are impressed by the dedication of our student population. In general, they are working, have families, are over the age of 25, and have come to us trying to better their lives and the lives of their families. Each year, BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation strives to provide financial support to many of our deserving students. As seen below, our enrollment has increased significantly over the last several years, but our scholarships have not kept pace.

Our goal is to create an endowment to provide funding for up to five BHSLR faculty members with the opportunity to attend innovative education seminars. Staying abreast of the latest in medical technology will better educate our student who will pass this expertise on to the patient.

Campus-wide Technology

BAPTIST HEALTH Schools Little Rock (BHSLR) has been preparing healthcare professionals since 1921. We not only offer year-long certificate programs, but in affiliation with colleges and universities, a two-year associate degree and a number of baccalaureate degree programs are possible. Our goal as an institution is to offer “something for everyone” interested in a health care career. BHSLR is especially proud of our role in producing registered nurses in central Arkansas. Each year, we consistently produce approximately 20% of the entry RN workforce in Arkansas, providing approximately 50% of entry RNs in Little Rock. We are impressed by the dedication of our student population every year. In general, they are working, have families, are over the age of 25, and have come to us trying to better their lives and the lives of their families.

The instruction offered at BHSLR is becoming increasingly technology-based with each academic year. We have very high expectations of our students as related to access, use, and familiarity with technology. As a result, our goal is to give each incoming student a 1-Gig flash drive.

Our goal is to provide flash drives to every incoming student at the time of orientation to help them prepare for their program of study.

Our purpose with this goal is two-fold. First, we believe a flash drive will be a usable tool during and after their study at BHSLR. Second, we have found that the experience students have at BHSLR directly affects how they feel about BAPTIST HEALTH in general. We believe a better experience at BHSLR will result in more of our students seeking employment at one of our facilities upon graduation. We know that a better trained, adequate workforce improves patient care and safety.

Heaven’s Loft

Located at 518-520 West 26th Street in North Little Rock, Heaven's Loft is an incentive program that encourages low-income expectant mothers and parents of young children to receive prenatal care, well baby care, immunizations and education. BHMC-NLR and the Junior League of North Little Rock have operated the program for more than 8 years. Similar programs are found in other U.S. cities.

At the Heaven’s Loft Wellness Center, BHMC-NLR provides 3 nurses for 8 hours almost every Wednesday. It also donates the 1,700 sq. ft. facility. In the first 11 months of 2008, more than 2,000 women and children have come to Heaven’s Loft – including many who came more than once. Participants receive free health screenings, education and resources (including classes) on childbirth, breastfeeding, infant/child care and parenting. They can also consult privately with a nurse.

At the Heaven’s Loft Store, women can redeem vouchers for baby items. More than 17 physicians' offices and health agencies distribute vouchers. Women also earn vouchers by attending Heaven’s Loft wellness classes. In 2007, participants redeemed more than 1,800 vouchers for cribs and mattresses, diapers, baby clothes, toys, car seats, etc. (One voucher “buys” a package of diapers. Eight vouchers can “buy” a crib.) Each year, Heaven’s Loft loans out more than 165 infant/child car seats. To obtain a “free” car seat, a mother attends a 30-minute class, watches a video about young children and car seats, and takes part in a 1-hour session when a certified child passenger technician installs the seat in her car. She is asked to return for an annual car seat inspection. Later, she can trade in the infant car seat for a child car seat. When a mother comes to Heaven’s Loft for a car seat or to redeem vouchers, she learns and is motivated to participate in Heaven’s Loft various “free” wellness services.

Laptop Computers – Student Award System

In 2008, BHSLR held the second annual “Student Appreciation Day” which was held for two mid-day hours on a Friday in October. The events include live music, student and faculty talent presentations, and pizza and sodas for fun and relaxation. This event allowed the faculty to show support of the students and an appreciation of their hard work and dedication. It allows faculty and student to interact in an informal setting. Three laptops were given to students participating in the event – which was a huge success!

Many BHSLR students qualify for scholarships and Pell grants based on their low income status and so, many of them cannot afford to purchase a laptop computer. However, a laptop computer has become a necessary tool for every student. Without a laptop, their efforts in gathering information, participating in class, preparing assignments, and studying for tests are severely hampered.

The recipients’ efforts to reach their current and future educational goals will be enhanced. The awards program will boost the morale of the entire student body.

Look Good Feel Better

The BHMC-NLR Breast Center provides various support services for women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each day, an average of 44 patients comes to the Breast Center for assistance. One of the services is a “wig service.” Our staff helps select and fit wigs, scarves, hats and other accessories for women who are losing their hair due to cancer treatment. BHMC-LR provides these items free of charge. Another service is Look Good, Feel Better which helps women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment. The latter is a nationwide program that is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society. As a part of that program, a volunteer trained cosmetologist assists the patients with skin care and make-up. The cosmetic kits are free-of-charge from the American Cancer Society. The Breast Center offers many other services including individual support, classes, and educational materials.

Radiation and other cancer treatments often cause major changes in the condition and appearance of a patient’s hair and skin. Women undergoing these experiences are inclined to stay at home and to have less contact with friends and family. A compromised mental outlook, attitude, and physical appearance can impact their treatment outcome.

In the first 10 months of 2008, 28 cancer patients received wigs at the BHMC-NLR Breast Center. The American Cancer Society’s "Look Good Feel Better" program does not provide the wigs and head accessories.

The patient benefits by receiving physical and emotional support. She has better self-esteem and feels better about her appearance while she goes through what can be a devastating treatment and disease process. She is more likely to maintain an active social life which can have a positive impact upon the outcome of her cancer treatment.

Breast Health Navigator Training

A breast health navigator is a registered nurse who works across the health care system to ensure women diagnosed with breast cancer receive the right care at the right time. She calls the patient to schedule and remind her of vital and timely follow-up diagnostics. She assists the patient in managing her healthcare resources and acts proactively on her behalf. The navigator also helps contain patient costs by addressing managed healthcare and reimbursement issues.

The navigator develops an individualized plan of care to meet the needs and expectations of both the breast cancer patient and her physician. She enhances the patient’s quality of life, teaches self care to the patient and her family, promotes interaction between the patient and healthcare professionals, monitors the patient’s condition, provides early intervention and appropriate access to healthcare services, and manages the patient’s healthcare services throughout the illness.

With timely follow-through of breast surgery, radiation, and other treatments, a patient’s breast cancer can be arrested. In most instances, the more quickly breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, the more likely the patient is to live a longer, healthier life.

Neonatal Giraffe® Omni-Bed with Incubator

BHMC-LR has been delivering babies for more than 85 years. Since 1992, more than 30,000 babies have been born in the BHMC-LR Labor and Delivery Department [Written in 2005. Update # babies born?]. Today it serves more women with at-risk pregnancies than any other healthcare facility in Arkansas. The Baptist Health MedFlight program serves women anywhere in the state who are experiencing pregnancy-related difficulties.

The Giraffe OmniBed decreases stress for the family and simplifies procedures for the clinician. It is a full-featured incubator and radiant warmer that eliminates the stress of moving critically-ill infants from bed to bed. The Giraffe’s patented Baby Susan rotating mattress facilitates proper positioning of the infant for all types of procedures. Other features are described below.

Preterm babies suffer from more health problems and higher mortality rates than infants born at term. Furthermore, increasingly more babies are born prematurely in the U. S. “Between 1981 and 2002, the national rate of premature births rose from 9.4% to 12.1%.” (Sources: National Center for Health Statistics and March of Dimes) Yet the problems in Arkansas are even more serious. Arkansas ranks embarrassingly low (44th among the 50 states) in the Kids Count 2004 overall assessment of 10 key indicators of child well-being. The indicators include the percentages of low birth-weight babies, infant mortality rate, teen birth rate, and children living in poverty. [update stats]

Comprehensive quality care in the first few days of life is critical to the development of premature infants. The cost of care for premature infants rises exponentially. Many premature babies face future years of costly therapy, intervention, and medical care for developmental delay or developmental disabilities.

By placing a premature baby in the Giraffe Omni-Bed with Incubator, he or she receives less inappropriate stimulation from healthcare professionals and family members. The elevating base can be adjusted so family members, including those in a wheelchair, can see and interact much better with the baby.

Project Fit America

Project Fit America (PFA) is an academic program to schools, grades 1-12, that develops cardiovascular health and teaches fitness education for a lifetime. Under this program the following issues are addressed: self-esteem, smoking intervention, fitness as fun exercise, and understanding your body.

According to Centers for Disease Control, in 2004 15% of children and teens are considered overweight, a tripling since 1980. An additional 15% are at risk meaning they are just on the verge of obesity. Obesity causes diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems and psychological disorders.

It is estimated that suicide among teenagers is largely a result of obesity.

One primary benefit is to give children a positive relationship with their bodies, as a deterrent to the at-risk choices which face our youth, as they grow older. This project will have a direct impact on improving the health and well being of our citizens and address the alarming statistics with regard to the state of our nation’s youth.

Other direct benefits include:

Teach lifelong fitness skills
Provide individualized educational programs based on youth’s specific case
Improve self-esteem as related to peer issues
Lower the risk of future diagnosis such as diabetes, cardiovascular and stroke
Decrease the risk of teenage suicide

PLANNED GIVING

A planned gift is one that will be distributed sometime in the future. The process of gift planning includes listening to the goals and interests of the donor, assisting with their selection of the best asset for the gift, and crafting a gift arrangement that meets the donor’s family needs and philanthropic intent. Paramount to planned giving is the development of a trusting relationship with the donor before the gift is made and maintaining that relationship throughout his or her lifetime. BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation provides experience in estate and gift planning free of charge to individuals, families, and their professional advisors. The staff at BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation is one of the most seasoned in the state with a combined 65 years of estate and gift planning experience.

More than 80% of Americans contribute to the nonprofit groups of their choice throughout their lifetimes. However, according to research conducted in 2000, only around 8% of people chose to continue this support through a charitable bequest. (Leave a Legacy http://www.leavealegacy.org/why_give.asp)

New findings, discoveries, better diagnostic and treatment tools are continually emerging in healthcare. To provide the best healthcare service to its patients, BAPTIST HEALTH must continually invest in new and often very costly equipment and the technology associated with it. Such expensive purchases cannot be a part of the annual operating budget. Planned gifts will enable BAPTIST HEALTH to access medical advancements in future years.

Portable Computer Information System

The use of five portable computers will allow our nurses and allied healthcare providers with immediate access to a patient’s medical records thereby providing the most effective treatment plan and spend more time at the patients’ bedside. Due to the increased need to document a patient’s treatment plan, the computers allow the nurse to input data while at the bedside; eliminating patient communication error as well as provide nurses the opportunity to probe longer about the patients’ needs.

Patients will appreciate having more time to visit with the nurses regarding their condition and future healthcare needs. Building a relationship of trust with your healthcare provider takes time. When the nurse in the hospital spends most of their time at the desk, this relationship cannot be formed. Patients are afforded the opportunity to learn more and spend more time with their primary nursing provider in the hospital setting when that nurse spends the bulk of their time in the patient room.

Postpartum Remodel

Since 1992, more than 3600 babies have been born at BHMC – Arkadelphia. Expectant parents are first placed in the beautiful new labor and delivery rooms. After delivery, the parents move to a postpartum room.

Maternity patients often tour the labor, delivery, and recovery (LD&R) department in several hospitals before selecting one for the birth of their child. The BHMC – Arkadelphia postpartum rooms are older than the postpartum rooms in all other healthcare facilities in the Little Rock area. Families that have an unfavorable impression of the LD& R, will sometimes elect to not return to the hospital for their future healthcare needs. New parents at BHMC – Arkadelphia are pleased with the technology of the hospital, but then are so disappointed when they arrive in postpartum where the rooms have not been updated for 13 years.

Student Center

BAPTIST HEALTH Schools Little Rock (BHSLR) has been preparing healthcare professionals since 1921. We not only offer year-long certificate programs, but an affiliation with colleges and universities, a two-year associate degree and a number of baccalaureate degree programs are possible. We are very proud to have the largest RN program in the state and produce approximately 20% of the state’s RN graduates each year. Every year we are impressed by the dedication of our student population. In general, they are working, have families, are over the age of 25, and have come to us trying to better their lives and the lives of their families. Each year, BAPTIST HEALTH Foundation strives to provide financial support to many of our deserving students. As seen below, our enrollment has increased significantly over the last several years, but our scholarships have not kept pace.

The new Student Center will be better equipped to serve our students’ needs.

The Cyber Lounge area will provide 20 laptops at stations for students to process their work. The lounge will also host a copier, an ATM, several microwaves and a refrigerator.
A Student Dining Area will seat 70 students where they will have the option to study alone or together with the efficient glider table and chair configurations.
A Student Lounge will have seating for 50 students and will be equipped with four flat screen televisions. This area is particularly conducive to study group situations.
A Recreational Area will provide students with a place to relax, enjoy a game of ping-pong or pool, play cards or just visit