Partners in Philanthropy

Continued from cover company served. Ernie (who affectionately refers to his wife as “the Queen”, “the Supreme Commander”, or “Madam Hodges”) notes that because of the relocation, Kay braved a daily 140-mile commute to Stockton for her work as Vice President of Human Resources for Bank of Stockton.

“It is important to be involved in the community, so soon after our move, I joined Woodland Healthcare Foundation and after 24 years, including a three-year stint as Board Chairman, I’m still here.”

“We’re not native Woodlanders, but we have established roots in our 30 years here. All the baristas and cashiers around town know us and our dog. I take her for a walk every day and people say ‘Hello, Belle!’ to her.” Ernie notes. Kay adds, “I love it here because of our friends and neighbors. This is a community where people care about each other.”

The Hodges have been consistent and generous donors to the Foundation. When asked why they give, Ernie says, “Trusted, local healthcare is so important, especially as we age. Since the day we moved here, Woodland Healthcare has delivered top-notch medical care.”

Kay adds, “Woodland Healthcare provides excellent care and services–and it’s convenient! Why go back and forth to Sacramento? We have quality here. You can avoid the stress of driving, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.” three fractured ribs, and nine trigger finger surgeries. In orthopedics, their job is to keep me healthy, especially with aging, and they’re doing a pretty great job of that.” He adds, “Everyone will have a need for orthopedic care at some point in their lives, and by giving to this department, we’re helping our friends and neighbors benefit from local care.”

In their 30 years of giving to Woodland Healthcare Foundation, the Hodges have supported many different departments and initiatives, including the Family Birth Center, Surgical Services, the Emergency Department, Advanced Imaging, and many more–and base their funding decisions on current needs of the hospital and clinics.

Most recently, the Hodges made a generous gift to support the Orthopedics Department. Explains Ernie, “I’ve had a fractured humerus, a fractured femur, a fractured collarbone,

After almost 25 years as a Board member, Ernie has no immediate plans to retire from his volunteerism as a trustee. With great affection for Kay he explains, “Quite simply, the Queen doesn’t let me. She prefers I have a diversion. In addition, I’m stubborn enough to believe I can make a positive contribution to the Board and Woodland Healthcare.”

“We’ve been blessed, there’s no question,” Kay notes, describing their blind date and the decades that have followed. Ernie and Kay, all of us in Woodland who have benefited from your friendship, leadership, and generosity know that because of you, the blessings have been ours. Thank you for your humankindness to Woodland Healthcare Foundation and our community!

Providing Security for Our Home Health Patients

Each year, generous donors like you make an enormous difference with gifts to the Area of Greatest Need, which are used to purchase lifesaving equipment and implement vital programs. From this fund, Woodland Healthcare Foundation recently provided 20 medical alert devices for Home Health patients that reside alone. When a patient has a safety concern and presses their personal medical alarm button, a caring and trained emergency care agent is immediately contacted to provide help. We are grateful for the generosity of our community whose gifts will help provide peace of mind and ensure the best outcome for Home Health patients in a medical emergency.

Sharing Our Appreciation During Hospital Week!

Woodland Healthcare Foundation recently celebrated National Hospital Week where we honored the caring and dedicated employees of Woodland Memorial Hospital. Their humankindness touches the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors every day. We are so proud to work alongside them and thank them for their commitment to our community!