Riddle Hospital Funding Opportunities

Below are funding priorities as identified by Riddle Hospital leadership. Philanthropy and partnerships are critical sources of funding and allow Riddle Hospital to invest in patient programs that require immediate attention, costly equipment upgrades and significant facility expansion projects. The Riddle HealthCare Foundation has received gifts from patients, their families and community members, which have helped the hospital become nationally recognized for nursing and medical care.

For each of these initiatives, contributions at varying levels could have great impact, and we would be happy to share more details upon request.

Riddle Hospital President's Strategic Initiatives

Goal total: $500,000

The Riddle Hospital President’s Strategic Initiative Fund is for the discretionary use of the president to support high priority needs and to continue to embrace change and seize opportunities that will benefit the individuals we serve. Your gift empowers leadership to develop new initiatives that have the potential to improve the way we care for the community of Riddle Hospital. This fund offers support for:

• Supporting your heroes: Staff recruitment, retention and training programs are vital to hiring and keeping top-notch clinical staff.
• Improving health outcomes for all patients: Not typically funded by reimbursements, community health and equitable care programs prevent incipient health issues from turning serious. They are effective ways to improve health and reduce costs.
• Serving you in modern facilities with stateof-the-art technology and equipment: Private rooms and the latest equipment and technology are the standard in all our hospitals. Philanthropy has always supported needed renovations, replacement of worn equipment and technology upgrades.
• Innovating to provide you with the best possible care: Significant medical advances arrive at breakneck speed. We need to continue to conduct research and bring breakthroughs to the patient’s bedside.
• Expecting the unexpected: Damage from storms or an unforeseen chance to bring an expert onboard are situations that defy planning. Gifts to the Presidents Strategic Initiative Fund can help us be ready when unique needs arise.

Learn more about this exciting initiative

The Dr. John C. Munshower Memorial Fund

Goal total: $200,00

Dr. John C. Munshower was a dedicated physician at Main Line Health and Riddle Hospital, known for his compassion and leadership in family medicine. In memory of Dr. Munshower, whose passing came far too soon, we are honoring his life and Legacy through the John C. Munshower Memorial Funds. All donations will be directed to The John C. Munshower Endowment.

The Dr. John C. Munshower Endowment: This permanently endowed fund will ensure that the life and legacy of Dr. Munshower will have a perpetual impact on Riddle Hospital. This endowment will provide a stable and lasting source of income for projects that were most important to John, including educational initiatives, scholarships, training, and other highest-priority needs. John was an active member of the Riddle HealthCare Foundation Board of Directors, and this Endowment will empower the Board to make a lasting impact in his name for perpetuity.

The Dr. John C. Munshower Board Designated Fund: While the John C. Munshower Memorial endowment will ensure perpetual impact, this namesake fund will be available for immediate use to maximize the launch of this campaign. This board-designated fund will offer the flexibility to meet the current needs by immediately funding projects that John was most passionate about supporting. Together, these funds will keep Dr. Munshower’s spirit alive by honoring his approach to investing in the needs at Riddle that have the most significant impact on what he cared about most, the patients and the community as a whole.

Jack Lynch Cancer Initiative: Closing Gaps in Care

Main Line Health system goal total: $5,000,000

Cancer has been called an equal opportunity offender — with good reason. It strikes at will, impacting people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. And while more people are surviving cancer than ever before, ensuring access to treatment for every member of our community has proven to be difficult. Too many people here in our region suffer needlessly because of disparities in care.

Main Line Health is launching the Jack Lynch Cancer Initiative: Closing Gaps in Care to address cancer disparities and promote health equity. Named after President and CEO Jack Lynch, retiring in June 2025, the initiative will provide resources, education, and support to help people understand cancer risks, access screenings, and navigate treatment. It also aims to research the biological and societal factors behind unequal cancer burdens.

Learn more about this exciting initiative

Ambulances

Goal total: $500,000

Nearly 40 years ago, Riddle Hospital’s EMS Unit was launched with one ambulance loaned by the Lima Ambulance Service to support fire companies in the surrounding communities. Now, Riddle Hospital’s EMS Unit provides 24-hour emergency coverage in response to dispatched 911 calls for the following local municipalities: Concord, Middletown, Media, Newtown, and many others in the Delaware County region.

The award-winning service is currently relying on aging vehicles and needs to purchase two van-style ambulances and a special resource ambulance equipped to transport bariatric patients. Given the current healthcare fiscal environment, donations from the community for essential investments such as new ambulances at Riddle Hospital help us care for our patients in the most efficient, timely manner.

Riddle Hospital Birthplace and NICU

Goal total: ongoing

The Birthplace at Riddle has many ongoing funding needs, including nurse training, swaddles, supplies for mothers who may not have everything they need, the latest equipment in maternal care, and beyond. Additional funding needs include:

• Angel Eyes Project: A camera system that provides live-streaming video access to NICU babies, allowing families to monitor their progress remotely. Enhances communication by enabling care teams to share real-time updates through texts, photos, and videos.
• Swaddle sleep sacks that help to promote safe sleep education and safe sleep at home. There is a current need to purchase 1,120 sleep sacks at $9.25 each, for a total of $10,360.
• Continuing education and training, including the spinning babies certification. This training technique for the care team will help lower C-section rates.
• Due to the increase in patients following hospital closures, getting all nurses and providers certified in Emergency OB care is essential.
• Birthing stools: 7 x Cub birthing stools.
• Additional FibroMed Birthing Chair: $15,000.
• Upgraded bassinets

Riddle Hospital Bridge Milk Program

Goal total: $10,000

The Bridge Milk Program, which began as a pilot at Riddle and Paoli Hospitals in 2021, was established to provide eligible mothers with supplementary donor milk for their newborns. This program is especially helpful to underserved patients who would not otherwise be able to afford Bridge Milk. For newborns, breastmilk provides the perfect balance of macronutrients and micronutrients to support optimal development and growth.

Due to factors such as difficulty with breastfeeding, low milk supply, or trouble latching, many mothers require supplementation within the first week of life to provide their newborns with adequate nutrition. Bridge milk — or Pasteurized Donor Human Milk — helps to “bridge” the gap until a mother’s milk supply expands or feeding improves. This initiative serves infants affected by a range of conditions, such as hyperbilirubinemia and hypoglycemia, late pre-term babies, those who are small for their gestational age, or who experienced intrauterine growth restriction, are also eligible.

Riddle Hospital Cancer Center

Goal total: ongoing

Riddle Hospital's Cancer Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support for cancer patients at every step of their journey. Through the efforts of our vital Cancer Center Programs, we are able to offer compassionate, high-quality treatment and critical support services. However, we need your help to continue our mission. Your funding has helped to upgrade essential equipment that ensures our patients receive the most advanced care. It will also allow us to offer rides for patients who have no means of transportation to and from their appointments, making sure they never miss a critical treatment session.

Additionally, your contributions will support programs like providing wigs for those experiencing hair loss during treatment, helping them maintain a sense of dignity during a challenging time. Furthermore, ongoing staff training is vital to ensure our team is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care to our patients. Together, we can continue to brighten the lives of those fighting cancer and ensure that no one faces their journey alone.

Riddle Hospital Spiritual Care and Chapel

Goal total: ongoing

The first phase of this project began with a renovation of our existing chapel. This room serves as a vital resource for patients, families, and staff — especially those in our Emergency Department and ICU — offering a sanctuary of solace and reflection during times of distress. The role of spiritual care at our hospital is central to our mission of providing holistic support to every patient and patient-facing staff member. Our team works tirelessly to meet the diverse spiritual and religious needs of all who come through our doors. We are committed to elevating the vision for chaplaincy at Riddle.

Our long-term goals include creating an impressive chapel and meditation space with a full-time team and 24/7 on-call chaplains to respond to emergencies. We are also strengthening our relationships with local congregations and expanding our outreach to hospital staff. Perhaps most importantly, we are focused on training the next generation of great chaplains.

Riddle Hospital Legacy Building Improvements

Goal total: ongoing

This Riddle Building fund will support future capital projects primarily located in the “legacy buildings” at Riddle Hospital. Potential projects include renovating our legacy operating rooms and addressing the growing needs in cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular services. The ideal future state of Riddle Hospital includes dedicated space for each of these lifesaving services.

Support of this fund will allow us to increase capacity for life-saving procedures such as cardiovascular catheterizations along with implementing the latest medical technology. With your support, we can enhance patient outcomes, improve efficiency, and continue to make Riddle a great place to give, and receive care.

Eat Well, Be Well Program

Goal total: $10,000

Building upon the success of this program in Riddle Hospital’s Emergency Department, we seek to expand this program throughout Riddle Hospital to help food-insecure patients have access to healthy foods.

The program involves identifying patients who may be experiencing food insecurity through a simple, two-question survey and offering them a free food bag to help ease their return home. The food bags are meant to last for about two days and typically contain shelf-stable meal kits, cereal, tuna, snack, fruit, milk, water and an Ensure supplement. All patients are provided with information about local agencies and community organizations who offer free or affordable food on a longer-term basis. Riddle Hospital’s Care Management also follows-up with all patients identified as food-insecure.

For additional information, please connect with any of the team members listed below:

Daniel Green, Executive Director, Riddle HealthCare Foundation
484.227.3651 | GreenDa@mlhs.org

Melissa Chirinos, Director, Riddle HealthCare Foundation
484.227.3509 | ChirinosM@mlhs.org

Claire King, Associate Director, Riddle HealthCare Foundation
484.227.3525 | KingCl@mlhs.org

Sandy Swank, Development Assistant, Riddle HealthCare Foundation
484.227.3504 | SwankS@mlhs.org

Kelli Eppinger, Development Representative, Riddle HealthCare Foundation
484.227.4701 | EppingerK@mlhs.org