MarinHealth Foundation Gala Raises $1M for Pediatric Emergency Care

MarinHealth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire philanthropy for the benefit of MarinHealth, held their annual black-tie gala, “Boots and Bling,” on Saturday, October 8. This year’s event, attended by 450 sponsors, exceeded financial expectations by raising nearly $1M to benefit Pediatric Emergency Services at MarinHealth Medical Center.

The funds raised by the MarinHealth Foundation and this year’s gala will make a meaningful

difference for North Bay children and their families, as well as MarinHealth’s efforts to ensure access to child-friendly services in their “Ouchless” Emergency Department (ED).

“Together, as a community, we’re enhancing the care for our littlest patients and reassuring their families that MarinHealth is here and well-equipped to serve them,” said Liz Kolcun, MarinHealth Foundation’s President & Chief Development Officer. “We’re so grateful to everyone who made this possible, including Tucky and John Pogue, Gala Chairs, and long-time supporters of MarinHealth.”

The generous donations of MarinHealth Foundation benefactors will ensure funding for the following critical needs:

· Child Life Specialist trained in the psychosocial development of children and teens. These professionals support, distract, and reassure children receiving pediatric care in an ED setting. They also offer guidance and information to concerned parents, siblings, and other family members.

· Pediatric Nurse Liaison who will coordinate with Marin County and hospital staff to monitor and maintain pediatric ED standards

· Pediatric Education via classes for all ED nurses, as well as ongoing training required to maintain pediatric ED certification

· Special Equipment designed for pediatric usage

The Emergency Department can be a frightening place for children, especially when they’re hurting. Nearly 20 percent of MarinHealth Medical Center’s patients are pediatric patients, and MarinHealth’s Pediatric Emergency Services team is committed to providing the best, most child-centric care possible in emergencies.

In May 2021, the Emergency Department achieved certification from Marin County as an Advanced Pediatric Receiving Center. This designation assures families that MarinHealth operates an “Ouchless” Emergency Department, where staff specially trained in pediatric care incorporate child-friendly protocols that help take the pain and anxiety out of an emergency visit.

Certification as an Advanced Pediatric Receiving Center requires MarinHealth to adhere to rigorous standards and provide funding and planning to sustain its program. Providing support for essential specialists, including MarinHealth’s Child Life Specialist, ongoing staff education, and child-friendly tools and equipment, will ensure that families can find emergency care tailored to the youngest patients, employing the same best practices used in exceptional pediatric hospitals without leaving Marin County. When childhood emergencies happen in the community, families can rest assured that expert emergency care will always be close to home.