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Press release from Providence Northern California:

The 2024 St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Gala marked a full year of fundraising for physician recruitment and retention in a pilot program launched by Providence Humboldt. The event, held at Blue Lake Casino’s Saphire Palace in June, featured an elegant masquerade ball theme and gathered over 200 guests in stylish attire.

Chief Philanthropy Officer Heather Setton expressed gratitude for donors’ support in expanding health care access in Humboldt, saying “The Destination Humboldt gala was an evening of celebration and recognition, not only of the newly recruited physicians and all care providers in the room, but also of the incredible level of technology made possible by the support of our generous community.”

Designed to support a local solution to the nationwide physician and nursing shortage, Providence’s Destination Humboldt program – funded by philanthropy contributions – aims to recruit and retain physicians in the community. Since its inception in April 2023, the program has attracted 13 new providers across primary, emergency and specialty care.

Through ongoing fundraising efforts with individual donors and event sponsorships by many local businesses and families, close to $2M has been raised to date. The program is working towards a total goal of $10M over the next four years. Its success has attracted the attention of other communities, and the “Destination” effort is being replicated at Providence hospital foundations in Napa and Sonoma Counties.

“Patients needing same day total knee replacement, state of the art radiation oncology, or minimally invasive robotic surgery—never before offered locally—no longer have to travel for this level of care,” continued Setton. “The gala celebrated these advances along with achievements of health care providers and recognized the impact of community generosity on patient care.”

Notable speakers at the event included event chair Stephanie Pierson, Chief Executive Michael Keleman, and Director of Surgical Services Jessi Burton. The audience was touched by the story of patient Luz Moreno, who received life-changing treatment at Providence St. Joseph, showcasing the positive outcomes facilitated by the program.