Community Generosity in Action
2023 Nursing Impact Report
Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation
Living the Caring Tradition, With You
Every year, gifts of gratitude from our community make possible an investment of more than $1 million in programs that directly benefit our hard-working nurses. Your generosity drives a culture of excellence that has earned the gold standard for nursing achievement--Magnet designation--16 years running. Fewer than 9% of hospitals ever achieve Magnet; fewer than 5% maintain it for this many years!
Below are a few examples of your generosity in action. On behalf of all of us, thank you for your partnership and support.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Providers
"This camp has given me the opportunity to see what my future career can look like." Camp Participant
To improve the health of our community, Sentara Martha Jefferson introduced nearly 1,400 local students to healthcare careers through field trips, summer camps, junior volunteer programs, and educational events made possible through community support. Second graders in Albemarle county learned that there are many careers beyond being a doctor or nurse at a hospital, while middle- and high -school students from all five surrounding counties got a hands-on introduction to the many good playing, rewarding healthcare job opportunities. Students also learned that scholarship support is available through the Haden Nursing Institute and the Center for Clinical Education to open the door to these career pathways.
Creating Professional Opportunity
“Education is everything in the job market.” LaTanya Smith, Certified Nursing Assistant
Community support is improving access to healthcare careers thanks to an innovative Career Pathways program launched through the Haden Nursing Institute and the Center for Clinical Education. The program kicked off with nursing assistant training courses that enabled more than two dozen community members and SMJH employees to earn their CNA certification last year. New earn-to-learn programs are providing immediate access to good-paying jobs and professional opportunity, while maintaining our commitment to clinical excellence.
Practicing Compassion
“Your help and compassion were so great that we couldn’t have made it through our time of sorrow without you.” –Grateful Family, Palliative Care
Palliative care remains accessible to all patients and families grappling with complex, life-limiting illness because of community support, which covers more than 80% of the cost of this vital service for patients and families. Last year, your support made possible more than 5,000 palliative care visits and enabled our Palliative Care team of advanced practice nurses, massage therapists, and hospital chaplains to assist more than 750 patients and families. For their extraordinary skill and compassion, the Palliative Care team has been recognized with the prestigious DAISY Foundation Nurse-led Team of the Year award.
Navigating Cancer Treatment
Your support makes possible advanced practice nursing opportunities, including dedicated nurse navigators for our cancer survivorship and high-risk breast programs. These specialized nursing professionals help patients thrive through the challenges of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring. Of the more than 15,000 women who receive annual mammograms at SMJH, approximately 1,000 will be diagnosed as high-risk. The nurse navigators run a unique program that combines educational, nutritional, and medical resources to help these women prevent or manage breast cancer.
Caring for Our Community
Our nursing team reaches far beyond the hospital doors to improve the health of our community. SMJH nurses invested more than 8,200 hours training 60 RN students from seven different schools last year. They hosted blood drives, volunteered at community events, provided free breast and colon cancer screenings, and even organized a festive “Boo Boo House” at Halloween. They are living the Caring Tradition, empowered by your support. Thank you!