The Sisters of Mercy

Continued from cover schools in the Sacramento area: Holy Cross School, Sacred Heart School, St. Joseph’s School, and St. Robert School—as a teacher of fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, and later as principal.

Sister Kathleen says, “Teaching is a wonderful calling, and definitely a vocation. I loved the kids and I loved the strong, inclusive community of students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators. I was blessed to not only teach school, but to also experience life’s ups and downs with each of the families–to be included in their joys and sorrows was a tremendous honor.” taught hundreds of students and, unsurprisingly, not only maintains strong friendships with many of them but also has grown close to their children and grandchildren too. truly delighted to be helpful during their challenging times.”

Sister Kathleen’s career is truly marked by her dedicated leadership. She has served as a Board member for many local nonprofit organizations and is also a Life Member of the Mercy Foundation Board of Trustees. Sister Kathleen has received several awards for her commitment to our community, including the Inspirational Women of the Year award from the California Legislative Assembly.

She shares other treasured memories too. “Students at one school taught me how to roller skate. They held a party for me and gave me a B grade begrudgingly,” she laughs, “because I didn’t do that well. At another school, she says, “the parents taught me to bowl, and would take me every Saturday night. The families were, and still are, very, very good to me.”

Throughout her remarkable 34 years in education, Sister Kathleen

In 1992—after a yearlong sabbatical where she studied theology and ethics at Notre Dame, Mt. St. Mary’s in Los Angeles, and All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland— Sister Kathleen was sent to St. John’s University in New York to study health care and went on to serve in the Sisters of Mercy’s health care ministry at Mercy General Hospital. She readily agreed and served in a variety of positions, including Mission Services Director, as the hospital’s Sister Liaison, and with the volunteers at the Main Lobby’s Information Desk.

With great admiration for the work of her colleagues she says, “In our hospitals, each member of the team— no matter what their position in the hospital—looks out for our patients and for each other. Even after all these years, their deep compassion and support still impresses me. I loved working with families and was

Sister Kathleen is quick to share her appreciation for the community donors who continue the mission of the Sisters of Mercy to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate the under-resourced and care for the sick. “We are deeply blessed to know so many in this great, loving community who continue our work and share our belief that Mercy is having a heart of love, for everybody.”

To Sister Kathleen, thank you for your rich legacy of excellence, kindness, and compassion. Generations of students and patients, who are now leaders in our community, are fortunate to share the treasured heritage of your ministry, and like you, carry forward the Mercy Mission.

Supporting Cancer Patients In Our Community

Thanks to generous donors like you, patients at Mercy San Juan Medical Center and five Dignity Health Advanced Imaging Centers are receiving extra care and support.

The Lung Cancer Orchestrator (LCO), a comprehensive patient and data management platform, is streamlining care for patients with incidentally found lung nodules and monitoring them through various steps of their lung nodule management. With the introduction of this new technology, caregivers can identify at-risk patients earlier and ensure they get treatment at a stage when it will make the biggest impact. A philanthropically funded nurse navigator is managing the LCO platform, helping ensure patients get the appropriate follow up appointments, and coordinating care for those who need to undergo further testing or treatment.

Mercy Foundation is grateful to all the donors who helped provide this technology which can help detect lung cancer in its earliest stages, save more lives, and keep more loved ones together longer.

Did You Know...

Thanks to an operating grant from Dignity Health, 100% of your charitable gifts benefit the ministry of your choice. Together, we help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate the underserved, and care for the sick at local Dignity Health hospitals and clinics.

supportmercyfoundation.org

Stan Atkinson

A three-time Emmy winner and one of Sacramento’s most beloved television news figures–reporting and anchoring broadcasts for KCRA and KOVR, Stan Atkinson has also been a dear friend and steadfast supporter of Mercy Foundation for over 30 years–devoting his energy and leadership to furthering the mission of the Sisters of Mercy in Sacramento.

Stan has recently found comfort and care at Mercy McMahon Terrace, a Sisters’ supported ministry. In gratitude, he is leading a fundraising effort to support this warm and welcoming senior living community. If you’d like to join Stan in making a tax-deductible gift of any amount, please scan the QR code:

Generosity and Appreciation from Grateful Patients

Dignity Health is fortunate to have so many excellent physicians, caring for those in our community with compassion and humankindness. Below are a few of the heartfelt messages we’ve received with gifts from grateful patients through our Guardian Angel program:

“We appreciate our doctor’s excellent care. She always listens to our concerns and works with us as a doctor-patient team. Thank you!”

–Grateful Grateful Patient of Dr. Melody Chin

“Thanks for the special way of treating me, with kindness, dignity and concern for my well being.”

–Grateful Grateful Patient of Dr. Richard Lau

“Thank you so very much for giving me my heart back by inserting a pacemaker. You are very much appreciated. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.”

–Grateful Grateful Patient of Dr. Munir Janmohamed

Exceptional Physicians Honored

Mercy Foundation was honored to recently celebrate the inspiring generosity and leadership of Dr. Albert Hwang, Medical Director of Mercy General Hospital’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit, at our Annual Physicians’ Reception. At this event, Dr. Hwang was recognized as our 2023 Physician Philanthropy Champion, an award presented to a doctor who exemplifies the values of the Sisters of Mercy through their personal generosity and their commitment to improving patient care through philanthropy. To view a short video about Dr. Hwang’s unwavering commitment to his patients and colleagues, please scan the QR code below.

We also recognized Dr. John A. Schafer whose efforts and commitment were instrumental in opening Dignity Health’s Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center, which provides life-affirming therapeutic, and expert wellness, care. To honor Dr. Schafer’s leadership and contributions, we were pleased to announce that the Center has been renamed the John A. Schafer, M.D. Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center.

Congratulations, Dr. Hwang and Dr. Schafer, on these well deserved honors!

Dr. Cooper Scholarship Awards Announced

“I am an ambitious and determined person and if given the opportunity to go to college I can assure that it will not be wasted. College is my dream, something I have always been striving for. Long sleepless nights studying, overwhelming stress, study sessions, note taking, and tests. I overcame it all and went above and beyond for these past four years, all for one purpose–my dream to be the first in my family to go to college.”

–Class of 2023 Cristo Rey High School student, M. Jauregui, who will be attending University of the Pacific

Thanks to your generosity to Mercy Foundation, 12 local high school students will be able to further their education in college! These hardworking and determined young people from Grant High School and Cristo Rey High School recently received 2023 Dr. Gregory Cooper Legacy Scholarship Awards.

The $3,000 or $4,000 scholarships were awarded to economically disadvantaged students who will be the first in their families to attend college. The Scholarship program was launched in honor of Dr. Cooper’s retirement in 2018 in recognition of his role in the growth and success of Mercy Medical Group. Throughout his career, Dr. Cooper exemplified the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy, and through his hard work, intelligence, and perseverance, made a lasting impact in Sacramento’s health care community.

Your support empowers young people to continue their academic career and realize their potential as future successful leaders in our community!

President’s Message (Continued)

Sacramento in 1857 lives on forever in our community. We’ll be sharing details soon with all of you—stay tuned for updates!

Each of you, through your gifts to Mercy Foundation, help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate the under-resourced, and care for the sick at our local Dignity Health hospitals and clinics. Thank you for your powerful and enduring generosity.

With my best wishes and deep gratitude,

Kevin B. Duggan President & CEO

Celebrate a Special Event or Honor a Loved One While Helping Others

Tribute and memorial gifts are a unique way to recognize life’s milestones. Whether you wish to honor someone dear to you; celebrate a special event in your own life, such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary or retirement; or to honor the passing of someone who has influenced your life, a tribute or memorial is a thoughtful way to help others in our community.

Mercy Foundation can create a dedicated, custom webpage which will include an online donation form for the giving interest you choose. You provide the message, photos, and gift description—and we’ll provide you with a webpage address to share with your family and friends.

Simply call (916) 851-2700 to find out how Mercy Foundation can help you start your Tribute or Memorial Gifts Webpage.

Safety and Comfort for the Guests of Sister Nora’s Place

In 1827, Catherine McAuley, Sisters of Mercy foundress, opened the House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland as a school for poor, young girls, and as a residence for homeless women in need of safe housing.

Nearly 200 years later, Catherine’s mission of service to those in need lives on at Sister Nora’s Place, Sacramento Loaves & Fishes’ community-living shelter for single women who have experienced chronic homelessness. At Sister Nora’s Place, each guest is treated with respect and dignity and provided with a stable and nurturing living environment, along with a