Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
>> Good afternoon. Welcome to the 2017 Baptist Health System foundation of San Antonio grant reward ceremony. We're pleased and honored you're with us today as we celebrate our mission to foster and fund clinical, educational, scientific, and spiritual initiatives while honoring God and our Baptist heritage.
We're especially glad to be able do this in our marvelous Christmas season as we celebrate God's son Jesus Christ. Grant recipients, this is about you, all 94 of you. It's about celebrating and recognizing the collective good that you do in our community and to say thank you. On behalf of the board, welcome. Thank you, and congratulations. It's my privilege to introduce to you the CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. Cody Knowlton. Cody?
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you, chairman Summers, and Merry Christmas, everyone, let me welcome you to the beautiful sanctuary of first Baptist Church, and to this wonderful ceremony that we really look forward to each year. We're so glad you're here, we celebrate you and all the good that do you in our city. Thank you for being here. Angels we have heard on high. What a wonderful traditional Christmas hymn to help us celebrate Jesus's birth and God's blessings through the mission of the Baptist Health Foundation. Would you join me in thanking Dr. Bryan Richardson who provided our opening Christmas music?
[ Applause ]
We will be hearing from Bryan and some of his special friends again at the end of our program.
You will not want to leave early, ladies and gentlemen, I promise you. We have something special in store for you.
You may not know that the hymn Bryan just sang has been around since the 1800s. I would imagine that we all hear it and sing it during this joyous season without really thinking about its words and meaning. I discovered last year that the words in this hymn are based on a traditional French Carol that when translated literally means angels in our countryside. I tend to think, I don't know about you, but when I think of angels, I tend to think about angels in a Heavenly and spiritual sense. Angels were very important over 2,000 years ago as they communicated to Mary and the shepherds of Jesus Christ coming. They told him a baby was going to be born that would be the son of God and that he would be the savior for all people. His death would be the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. What if your December looked different this year, knowing that beside the grant or award that you are receiving today that another life‑changing gift awaits you?
Let me encourage you to ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and the door will be open to you.
Your December, my friends, will look a lot different this year if you will just take the first step to discovering and knowing more about what the angels were communicating thousands of years ago.
By accepting Him as your personal Lord and savior, your sins are forgiven and eternal life will be yours, as we celebrate Christ's birth, I hope you will explore this wonderful opportunity to not only walk away with a grant from the foundation, but an additional life changing gift as well.
Considering the Baptist health foundation of San Antonio exists to be the hands and feet of Christ, in the San Antonio community, we are here today to give you a tangible gift, but we are also here today to give you a cup of living water. The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio is to keep God's river of life flowing by making grants to organizations like yours, and showing his love to a hurting community.
We pray with you. We pray for you. We want to ‑‑ we want you to meet the needs and the neighborhoods of our city. Your missions further our mission. Your good work in the city keeps the river flowing. We are grateful for you.
We need each of you. This city needs you.
Today's event is a celebration for you, and because of you. May you leave today's event changed. May you go forth and do good in the city.
May you take a light into a dark world. You are all angels among us.
We love you. We care about you. We celebrate you today and thank you for changing our city, one life at a time through your collective missions.
The grants you are receiving are from God. They are not from a Board of Trustees. The funds we are blessed to give away are His. The grants are a cup of living water. Now, go forth, my friends, and share it with others. Go light a candle. Go be angels in the countryside.
That's all we ask.
At the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, we believe that God owns everything and holes us accountable to manage his resources. We believe that giving is a worshipful act of obedience of returning to God what he has provided. The board of trustees of the foundation celebrate with you today your success this year and especially the fine work that you have done that has yielded this opportunity for you. As you know, the Baptist Health Foundation exists to foster and fund groups like you and to do it in the Lord's name. Said another way: We are here to encourage and give to a needy community while we go about it in a Christ‑like manner. Once again, welcome. We are so glad to be celebrating with you today.
We will take just a moment to introduce a few special guests who are here with us today, we've got a number of folks, I want to invite you as a group or individual stand and be recognized. I would like to invite our current and former trustees and their spouses to please stand and let us recognize them, I believe they're all sitting here in this first section, trustees, would you all stand?
[ Applause ]
These folks are dedicated to their cause, and work hard. They do a lot of proposal reading. Those proposals are read by staff, but they're read by this board as well. They do all the site videos. This is definitely a working board. Thank you, board, for all that you do. Recommend also recognize the Baptist Health System who we have a strong partnership with, we have a number of folks from these entities, let me introduce those folks at this time. Mr. Erik Evans is here from Dallas, he's the president of hospital operations. I believe Erik did come in. There he is. Thank you, Erik, for being here.
We also introduced the new Chief Executive Officer of Baptist health system. Matt Stone.
[ Applause ]
And then from the Baptist School of Health professions. Bill Dreiss has come in.
And some of his colleagues, pat and Patrick Reyna are here from the School of Health professions as well. Please stand. Dr. Keith Bruce, dear, dear friend of the foundation is back here. Dr. Bruce.
[ Applause ]
And then two of our favorite folks at the system, Andy Harris and Natalie Gutierrez are here, Andy has not missed an award ceremony in years, Andy, I hope you're here, now that I'm pointing you out. We'll recognize him when he gets here. Let me also recognize Dr. David Hardage who is also here from Dallas representing Texas Baptists. We have a strong relationship with. Dr. Hardage, if you wouldn't mind standing?
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
I didn't want to single out too many of our folks here, but I do know that councilman Clayton Perry is here, councilman, were you able to slip in yet?
Maybe not yet. Okay. Hopefully he will be here in just a minute. We have a special and honored guest we would like to recognize this afternoon and that is Dr. SASADRI, the Director of The Glen Biggs institute.
[ Applause ]
She is all the way from Boston University, and has just begun a couple of weeks ago, some of you that were here a few years ago knew that the largest grant the foundation over made was $1 million to the institute, and sitting next to her is Ann Biggs, the widow. Ann, would you please stand?
We like to highlight other foundations that are here, that do what we do, funders, and so I believe Mr. Broom is hear from the San Antonio area foundation, as well as Tom McWire from the Kronkosky foundation. Not yet. Okay. All righty, Jim Adams is also here, Chairman of the Board of University health system.
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
I'd be remiss if I did not recognize first Baptist Church for this beautiful sanctuary that they allow us to use, Pastor Don Guthrie, Pastor Chris Johnson, Dave Rohmfeld, would y'all stand where you are. Dr. Johnson and Don Guthrie are here. Thank you.
[ Applause ]
Some of our advisors are here, Steve Klein and Susan Peterson with Frost Bank. Steve sits on the back row, I forced him to sit closer. There's Steve. Thank you.
[ Applause ]
Martin Schuh, our author. Jim fox, and his partner Steve who did our videos today are here. Cynthia Munoz and Elizabeth Luna, our PR folks. Would you give a round of applause for our folks?
[ Applause ]
The UT School of Public health and UTSA students helped us with some of our greeting today. Thank you, UT School of Public health, and UTSA. I would like to say a personal word of thanks to our staff, Eusebio Diaz, Liz Cantu, and Sara, I believe they're all standing over by the door. Would you say thank you to these wonderful people?
[ Applause ]
And I'm deeply honored today to have my family here, my parents, mother‑in‑law, wife, two kids, sister‑in‑law, brother‑in‑law, thank you for ‑‑ I believe they're all sitting right here, would you all just wave?
[ Applause ]
Okay. Well, sit now my profound honor and privilege to introduce a real friend to the Baptist Health Foundation who will be acting as our MC for today's program. Marvin Hurst of KENS TV is here to act as our MC.
He started in television at KALB‑TV in Alexandria, Louisiana, before transitioning to WBRZ in Baton Rouge. March sin has served as the press director for the new Office of Youth Services under Louisiana's first female Governor, while in Louisiana, Marvin won several Associated Press awards for general news reporting, investigative reporting and in depth reporting, Marvin joined the KENS 5 morning team in 2004. It's been 13 years, he's garnered numerous awards from the Texas Associated Press, he's a member of the national Association of Black journalists, he also serves in his fourth term as president of the San Antonio Association of Black journalists, Marvin has served on the Executive Board for the 100 black men of San Antonio, also named in the inaugural edition of who's who in San Antonio. Marvin is a native of Milwaukee, we got him down here for sure in Texas he enjoys mentoring students and somehow finds time to do church media as well, you can find Marvin tasting a lot of great cuisines on his weekly segment, neighborhood eats, every Thursday, I don't know how he keeps the weight off, he must have a good exercise program, Marvin, thank you for your friendship to Baptist Health Foundation, and I welcome you to lead us through today's ceremony.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you, Cody, for this wonderful opportunity to MC today's ceremony. I count it as a tremendous honor to be here today to help the Baptist health foundation give away the Lord's money.
You know, I've had the privilege to cover the Baptist Health Foundation on various news stories over the years and can tell you that the mission of this organization is truly impacting thousands in our city.
Thank you to everyone on the foundation side of everything, the nonprofit side of it all, for everything you do.
Let's know that your city greatly appreciates every thing that you do each and every day. Together we are all improving the health of our community. As we move through our grant award portion of the program, let me encourage you to review the grant portion of it that is listed in the program and continue to marvel at the breadth of great work going on in this community. Today the Baptist Health Foundation awards $7 million and recognizes 91 superb institutions from San Antonio's nonprofit community.
And that is just a fantastic thing, wouldn't you say?
[ Applause ]
We are here to celebrate with you and to give God the Glory for the great things He has done this year. With today's grants, the Baptist Health Foundation has now awarded close to $68 million to organizations just like yours. Please join me in giving our Lord a hand. Give the Lord a hand.
[ Applause ]
For the blessings this year on your organization and the foundation. We could not move forward without an award prayer, let me invite Manny Ruiz to the stage, and Manny, would you please give us our invocation?
>> Our gracious father, as we gather here today, our hearts are filled with gratitude, for how you have continued to bless the Baptist Health System and the Baptist Health Foundation throughout the years, while our mission is to improve the health of our community, our commitment remains the reflection of your presence and to give you honor in all things. We also give thanks to all the nonprofit organizations represented today, and are reminded the important role they each play and the impact they have in our community. We give thanks to our grant recipients for their outstanding work in the process changing lives as a result of their outstanding efforts. Our prayers that you would continue to allow us to be your hands and feet through these grants that we award to area nonprofits and in the years to come. Father, with Christmas Eve upon us, and we also always remember the greatest gift of all, your son, Jesus. So bless our time together, in your glorious name we pray these things. Amen.
>> Thank you, Manny, for those wonderful words for our opening prayer. One of the key initiatives contained in the Baptist Health System foundation mission statement is educational funding, the foundation provides scholarship funds to area students who are majoring in health‑related academic programs. In 2017, the foundation made scholarship grants to fourteen local higher education institutions and supported students enrolled in a wide array of health‑related programs such as nursing, counseling, clinical pastoral, social work, medical and dental health students in an effort to help meet the health care needs of this community, the foundation provides scholarships to area students to assist with their ever‑increasing financial burden. Knowing this tremendous need, the foundation provided over $1 million in scholarship for 2017.
The foundation scholarship committee is responsible for deciding the grants to area schools. They do excellent work, enjoy visiting and meeting the recipients throughout the year. If you serve on the foundation scholarship committee, would you please stand to be recognized?
[ Applause ]
The committee is chaired by Dr. Ken Andrews. Thank you, Dr. Andrews, for your leadership.
If you're present today representing one of those fourteen partner universities or colleges, would you please stand?
[ Applause ]
Thank you so much. You know, there's no greater testimony to the power and life‑changing effect of a scholarship than hearing directly from a student recipient. Please watch the screens as we hear from amber Ochoa, a foundation scholarship recipient who's here in San Antonio at the University of The Incarnate Word.
>> When my parents asked me what college I wanted to choose, the University of The Incarnate Word was my first choice. UIW has been known for its great program, and small class size, and the attention that I would get really helped me excel in my education.
I started my academic career at the University of The Incarnate Word as the pharmacy student. I ended up changing my mind and ended up going into the nursing program and I can honestly say it was the best decision of my life. The faculty are very inviting and warm. And leaving their doors open for any concerns that we may have.
The student population here is really, really diverse, and so it's really great to hear their stories as to why they chose nursing, and then lastly, it's the overall quality of the nursing program, and the building, simulation labs allows us to implement our skills that we learn in the classroom. So basically the dynamic of the school, the environment sets us up for success.
The main impact the scholarship of the Baptist Health Foundation has had on me is that it's allowed me to better focus on my studies here to better focus on patient care at my clinical sites as well, and spend more time with my family which has been a big deal for me, because they've been a driving force. My parents have always taught me the importance of faith. So it's the environment and the feeling going into class every day knowing that I'm able to express my faith in the way that I want to. And I'm also able to be open to other people's points of view as well, because UIW allows people to express their faith.
I would like to thank the Baptist health foundation for giving me the scholarship. There's no words to explain how thankful I am. And I'm looking forward to having more interaction with you, and I'm looking forward to everything else that we have to offer.
[ Applause ]
>> Thanks to Amber for speaking from the heart about a difference the scholarship makes. We're certainly proud of her and praying for her, because she is studying for finals as we speak.
The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio provides Community Impact Grants in support of grassroots faith‑based health activities, conducted at the community level.
This year, $177,650 in Community Impact Grants was awarded to 28 organizations and churches. If you're present today, representing one of those 28 organizations, we'd like to recognize you.
[ Applause ]
Although these grants are in smaller amounts, they still are significant in their impact, because these grants leverage volunteer efforts to help improve the health of individuals. One example of a community impact grantee that is making a difference in the under‑served amputee population is the Prosthetic Foundation. The relatively new organization is helping underserved amputees obtain quality prosthetics and comprehensive aftercare. Let's learn more about this great organization by watching the screens.
>> The Prosthetic Foundation was formed approximately three years ago to help people that had lost their limbs due to multiple causes.
>> I was born with spina bifida, I was born with crooked feet. Over the years I had many infections. The Prosthetic Foundation was kind enough to grant me a free leg, because I've fallen on hard times this year, and they are just a blessing.
>> There's a large group of patients that are not funded. There's some insurances that don't cover limb replacements, so our goal is to help that patient population that was wheelchair bound.
I need to thank the Baptist Health Foundation for their grant. You wouldn't believe how far and impact that it makes and helps these patients. Just imagine waking up in morning, not having a leg, not having two legs, things that we take for granted are not so easy. When we help these patients with an artificial limb, their self‑worth, their self‑esteem, their independence is much appreciated and it changes the patient's life, the family life, and affects the community as a whole. When they find out that they have a chance to obtain a limb, it completely changes their lives.
>> Then I got the call from the Prosthetic Foundation, I cried. I'm so overjoyed. The joy in my heart makes me tear up a little bit, and it was a dream come true.
>> What this gives to the patient is the ability to get back to a normal life, a productive life. Many go back to work.
>> Thank you.
>> Now I'm in therapy again, in a few short months I'll be running and walking, and leading many I life to fullest, I'm so excite.
>> Denise: Sometimes it can bring tears to your eyes to see a patient go from the wheelchair to walking down the hall for the first time, you see them cry, you see their family cry. It's ‑‑ it's a great joy to see.
>>
[ Applause ]
.
>> Absolutely amazing work from the Prosthetic Foundation, isn't it?
Thank you, Dr. Tamez, and Jennifer, and would you join me in recognizing Dr. Tamez and Jennifer for a moment, please?
[ Applause ]
>> I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the fine work of the foundation's Community Impact Grants committee. If you served on that committee, would you please stand?
We would like to give you an applause too.
[ Applause ]
This hard working committee is under the leadership of Bill Lee who was unable to attend the ceremony today. Thank you, Community Impact Grants recipients for all that you do, and congratulations!
The purpose of making Disaster Relief grants is to make funding available to help in the recovery of disaster and relieve suffering from those who are in a disaster. Let me recognize at this time the foundation's Disaster Relief grants committee. Would you please stand?
[ Applause ]
Their chairman is Dr. Tom Patterson, thank you, committee, for your service during times of crisis.
This year the committee approved a landmark $100,000 for two organizations that were focused on providing emergency assistance to those affected by hurricane Harvey. Two $50,000 Disaster Relief grants were awarded to Texas Baptist men and the Salvation Army. As you know the Salvation Army is dedicated to doing the most good. They are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ while making human needs in his name. Let's the screens for a special word from major Rob Webb from the Salvation Army.
>> The Salvation Army has been serving San Antonio since 1889. We're here seven days a week, 365 days a year with life‑changing programs, and we wouldn't be able to do that without great corporate partners such as Baptist Health System foundation. Folks are willing to invest in the mission and ministry of the Salvation Army. A faith based mission. This grant has helped to underwrite the cost of providing services to those affected by hurricane Harvey. In the time of crisis, you have the initial response, which Salvation Army was there from the very beginning, responding to folks who were displaced by hurricane Harvey. We took them into our shelter. We fed them. We had 104 mobile feeding kitchens. We served some 950,000 meals.
>> Thank you.
>> Then comes long‑term recovery, and we have met with hundreds of families to try to help them get reestablished, to help put the pieces of their life back together. It's a real blessing to be a part of an organization where we can serve suffering humanity in their time of crisis and to be able to take the grant provided by the Baptist Health Foundation and to put it into real tangible resources for people who have been displaced, those who find themselves homeless and hungry. We wouldn't be able to serve the number of people that we do without the support of caring, faith‑based partners like Baptist Health Foundation.
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you, Major Webb, and thank to the Salvation Army to all that it does for our community, both in our time of crisis and during times of need.
Would you please help me in recognizing Major Webb?
[ Applause ]
Let me also recognize Texas Baptist Men. Mickey Lenamon, their CEO was unable to be with us today, but TBM truly lives up to their calling, any way, any time, any where. Thank you, Texas Baptist Men.
[ Applause ]
While this does not technically fall into the foundation's Disaster Relief grants area, the tragedy that happened in Sutherland Springs was a significant need that the foundation's board felt required a response. The foundation approved a total of $5500 to be sent to two nonprofit organizations who were providing counseling to those affected by the mass shooting.
Please join me in recognizing the Ecumenical Center, the CEO is Mary Beth Fisk, and the South Texas Children's Home who's CEO is Eron Green for excellent work in recent weeks with the victims and families of Sutherland Springs.
[ Applause ]
The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio provides grants in response to the needs of the community as identified by the experts in the community, our nonprofit partners. These grants are appropriately called responsive grants. This year, a total of $3,698,591 in grants was provided to 46 organizations. If you're present today, representing one of those 46 organizations, we'd like to recognize you.
[ Applause ]
Through these grants, the foundation is able to support a diversity of programs, including child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, end of life care, senior wellness, clinical and mental health services, support services for those with cognitive and developmental disabilities and prenatal care. Let me recognize the foundation's responsive grants committee who works tirelessly reading a number of proposals and making site visits to make these grants possible today. Would you, the responsive grants committee, please stand?
[ Applause ]
The committee is chaired by Marilyn Elliott who was unable to be with us today. To give you a flavor of the kinds of organizations that received a responsive grant this year, let's meet two of our grantees who are doing wonderful work. Mark Stoeltje with the San Antonio Clubhouse, and Emma Faye Rudkin with AidTheSilent. Please watch your screens.
>> Welcome to the San Antonio Clubhouse, we're a nonprofit supportive community for adults who are living with mental illness. We don't do treatment at the Clubhouse, we offer an environment where people can come develop meaningful relationships with other people and their developing tangible skills that can help them become more independent and go back to work. This is really a volunteer center that runs for and because of our members.
Our Clubhouse receives very little government support. The vast majority of our funding comes from individuals and local foundations, and we have a long relationship with the Baptist Health Foundation and frankly would not be here today without their support. This grant is for health and wellness program. A lot of people living with mental illnesses will deal with a lot of physical health issues. This is going to allow us to bring folks in that have a background in health and wellness to track our members' progress and help them meet their goals in terms of their own wellness, doing things like health screenings, exercise classes, providing nutritious meals in our kitchens. To help our members live happier and healthier lives. When people come to a place where they feel good about themselves, they want to take care of themselves and take medication.
>> I didn't know how to advocate for myself before I came to the Clubhouse. Nobody advocated for me before I came to the Clubhouse. I didn't think I was worth anything before I came to the Clubhouse. Now all of those things are just in my life automatically.
>> When you have an environment where you're treating people like people, and focusing on strengths and talents and what they have to contribute, instead of focusing on illness and what's wrong with a person, that helps people heal and helps them become their full selves.
>> I came here to get help and now I get to help other people.
>>
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you to Mark and Emma Faye who are both serving the underserved in our community. Your passion and Christ‑centered approach is changing lives. Would you please join me in recognizing and thanking Mark and Emma Faye who are both present with us today?
[ Applause ]
Strategic initiative grants are a way for the foundation to help address gaps in existing health care, address emerging needs and help support the development of new strategies to address current health problems. The foundation's strategic Initiatives Grants committee deserves a great deal of thanks for their hard work which yielded the grants you are receiving today.
Would you, the strategic initiatives committee, please stand so that we may recognize you?
[ Applause ]
This dedicated group is led by chairman Bill Wilson. This year, seven strategic initiative grants were awarded, totaling $1,628,850. Isn't that great?
[ Applause ]
Strategic initiative grants can be impactful and life changing for an organization. By design, these grants attempt to move the needle on a particular issue. This afternoon it is my honor to recognize two of the largest grants the foundation made this year which are ‑‑ are ‑‑ are going to move the needle into critical areas. First, as the only children's Advocacy Center in Bexar County, this organization helps children recover from the devastating effects of childhood trauma, break the cycle of abuse and become contributing members to this community. They provide crisis intervention, case management, forensic interviews, advanced clinical therapy, to aid children in healing after sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. As well as exposure to neglect and domestic violence. Their mission is to restore dignity, hope, and trust to children traumatized by abuse and neglect.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to announce a $479,850 grant for the construction of child safe's Salado creek campus.
[ Applause ]
It is going to be a $33 million, 65,000 square foot state‑of‑the‑art facility on the east side that will be transformational for Bexar County's maltreated children.
Let me invite Kim Abernethy, president and CEO, to the stage to be recognized.
[ Applause ]
[ Laughter ]
(indiscernible).
