The Bronson Greatest Need Fund provides ongoing support for Bronson Healthcare as needs emerge. Because these gifts are unrestricted, they give the Foundation flexibility in addressing specific funding priorities as they arise.
The purpose of the Bronson Advanced Illness Management (AIM) Fund is to foster and support the comprehensive, high-quality care for patients.
This includes but is not limited to:
- New technologies
- Education for physicians, staff and community
- Facilities development
- Innovative models of care delivery
To learn about Advanced Illness Management services at Bronson, visit the website.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory-related issues, can be difficult to receive and requires a highly specialized team to communicate with patients and their families. A group of clinicians including physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians and social workers help patients and families understand treatment options and assist in the coordination of care and community services.
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Treatment Fund supports neurobehavioral health in order to create the best possible experience for patients and families as part of a comprehensive care plan. This includes but is not limited to inpatient and outpatient service delivery, education to advance the understanding of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, facility improvements, coordination of care and new technologies. The Fund also supports research, access to clinical trials, symposiums, and innovation in treatment options.
The purpose of the BBC Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Fund is to support the special needs of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Departments at Bronson Battle Creek. This includes but is not limited to:
- Purchase new equipment, replacing and upgrading technology worn from continuous use
- Patient scholarships and education
- Patient activities/celebrations
The BBC Diabetes Fund supports the special needs of the Diabetes Center at Bronson Battle Creek. This includes but is not limited to:
- New equipment
- Patient scholarships and education
- Patient activities/celebrations
Bronson Battle Creek Little Angel Rest Fund
This fund enables Bronson Battle Creek to provide a compassionate experience and closure for patients and families suffering from a fetal or newborn death.
The Bronson Battle Creek BirthPlace provides families with mementos of their child such as a plaster mold of their child’s feet, hand and foot prints and lock of hair if possible, as well as a photo, fabric heart, blanket, gown, hat and a ring and bracelet set.
For patients and families who have lost a fetus under 20 weeks gestation, this fund covers cremation, urn and burial.
Bronson Battle Creek Mammogram Fund
This fund helps defray the cost of mammograms for female patients at Bronson Battle Creek who do not have insurance.
Bronson Battle Creek Volunteer Fund
Bronson Battle Creek Volunteers have a mission to enhance the services of Bronson Battle Creek and to assist in better serving our community. They do through a variety of services including staffing the information desks, being patient visitors, providing pet therapy, assisting in the Emergency Department and Cancer Center, and cuddling newborns. Their guilds produce handmade quilts, hats, mittens, tray favors and a variety of other items for our patients.
Moneys raised through these efforts support their annual major project. The volunteers also raise money through their memorial fund to finance college scholarships for graduating seniors pursuing a career in healthcare.
Click here if you are interested in volunteering at Bronson Battle Creek.
Bronson Commons Fund
The purpose of the Bronson Commons Fund is to provide support of Bronson Commons with an emphasis on supporting enhancements and safeguarding the patient experience.
Bronson South Haven Fund
The purpose of The Bronson South Haven Fund is to foster and support comprehensive, high quality care for patients specifically in the Bronson South Haven service area. This includes but is not limited to:
- New technologies
- Education for physicians, staff and community
- Facilities development and capital improvement
- Innovative models of care delivery
Click Here to Make a Gift to Support the Bronson South Haven Fund
Some specific programs supported in South Haven include:
Telemedicine devices
Life jacket loaner stations
Reach Out and Read
Vein Visualization
Glidescopes
Bronson Wellness Center Scholarships: Bronson Health Foundation provides $50,000 annually in scholarships for full year and partial year memberships to community members who are unable to afford the membership.
Safe Kids Greater South Haven: Safe Kids is a community collaborative to reduce death and injury to children in the community by raising community awareness, participating in school and community events, providing education programs, initiating public policy changes, monitoring product safety and distributing safety devices (including but not limited to car seat safety, bicycle safety and water safety). These safety programs provide parents with the resources they need to help prevent childhood injuries.
Cancer Center - Battle Creek Fund
The purpose of the Bronson Cancer Center - Battle Creek Fund is to support the special needs of the Bronson Cancer Center - Battle Creek. This includes but is not limited to:
- Assuring patients have access to needed medications, transportation, nourishment, durable medical equipment etc.
- Purchase new equipment as well as replacing or upgrading technology
- Patient and staff education
- Patient and survivor activities/celebrations
- Research related support
The former Cancer Care Medication Fund and Cancer Special Needs Fund have been merged into this one, over-arching fund.
To learn more about the Cancer Center, click here.
Cancer Center - Kalamazoo Fund
The purpose of the Cancer Care - Kalamazoo Fund is to support the special needs of the Cancer Center - Kalamazoo. This includes but is not limited to:
- Ensuring patients have access to needed medications, transportation, nourishment, durable medical equipment etc.
- Purchase new equipment as well as replacing or upgrading technology
- Patient and staff education
- Patient and survivor activities/celebrations
- Research related support
- Make a Gift: Cancer Center - Kalamazoo Fund (bronsonhealth.com)
Children's Hospital Fund
Community Health Fund
The Bronson Community Health Fund focuses on the maintenance, protection, and improvement of the health status of population groups and communities. It is a lens through which Bronson views the whole person and ways which the external environment contributes to health outcomes. Specifically, Bronson looks at the social influences of health to understand which evidenced-based initiatives, partnerships, and strategies Bronson can participate in to improve health outcomes for members of our region.
This can include support for the following but is not limited to:
- Maternal infant health
- Substance abuse initiatives
- Behavioral health
- Access to healthcare
- Addressing health disparities and racial inequities
Constance Brown Hearing Assistance Fund
Employee in Crisis Fund
Healthy Living and Sustainability Fund
The purpose of the Bronson Healthy Living and Sustainability Fund is to support the Bronson Healthy Living and Sustainability Initiative which involves the following:
- The development of transformational systems and technology around waste and energy reduction.
- Catalyzing growth of local/regional food sourcing, mobility and housing innovation and other dimensions of physical and environmental well-being.
The philosophy governing this initiative is that personal health can be sustained and improved by an overall healthy environment including a strong economic environment.
Heart and Vascular Fund
The Bronson Heart & Vascular Fund was created in June 2014 through a gift from a Bronson employee wishing to remain anonymous.
The purpose of The Bronson Heart & Vascular Fund is to foster and support the comprehensive, high quality care for patients in need of heart and vascular services. This includes but is not limited to:
- New technologies
- Education for physicians, staff and community
- Subspecialty growth & development
- Facilities development
- Innovative models of care delivery
To learn about heart and vascular care across the Bronson Healthcare system, visit the website.
Mental Health and Well-being Fund
Mothers' Milk Bank Fund
This fund was established in December of 2004 to aid in developing a non-profit human milk bank at Bronson Methodist Hospital. A mother’s own milk is the best food for her baby. When a mother can’t provide breast milk, however, pasteurized milk from healthy donor mothers is the next best thing. Human milk is easier for babies to digest and offers better nutrition than infant formula. Research shows human milk helps sick and premature babies have better outcomes. Premature babies who receive formula feedings have a higher incidence of acquiring Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal disorder that is life-threatening.
Bronson opened the Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank in 2006, to collect, screen, process, store and distribute donated human milk. All milk that comes into the milk bank is pasteurized to kill any bacteria and viruses. Bronson has achieved 100% human milk feedings for all premature babies in the NICU and also distributes milk to other hospitals in need.
This fund provides financial support for the following types of activities: education, purchase of equipment and related supplies needed to process and store mother's milk; reimbursement of costs associated with these activities, e.g., research expenses, mileage allowances, etc.; and other costs as agreed upon by the Bronson Health Foundation management team.
Learn more about Bronson's Mothers' Milk Bank
Mothers' Milk Bank Memorial Tree
In 2015 Bronson dedicated the Mothers' Milk Bank Memorial Tree. Funded by the Bronson Health Foundation, the tree, made with clay and ceramic, is a stunning art piece designed and created by Kalamazoo artist Conrad Kaufman with beautiful glass leaves, created by local artist, Larry Galdes, engraved with the names of babies who have passed away. While their moms grieved their own losses, they selflessly donated breast milk so that premature and sick babies whose own mothers were unable to provide milk would receive this valuable gift. Since the original installation, new leaves have been added, and the tree is now full. Fundraising is now underway for the expansion of the tree.
The tree trunk is inscribed with the following; “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world. This memorial tree honors the precious babies who have died and their mothers who donated breast milk to help other babies live.”
The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic provides highly specialized care to children and young adults with blood disorders or cancer. This can be a frightening time for children and families and Bronson care teams take extra steps to provide comfort and support. The clinic treats children and young adults with cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell disease and other bleeding disorders.
The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fund supports enhancements to the clinic and the patient experience. This includes but is not limited to programs and activities for patients and families, training and education for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology staff, and new technologies for the clinic.
The Bronson Pharmacy Fund has been created with the purpose of fostering and supporting the comprehensive and high- quality service of Bronson’s Pharmacy throughout the healthcare system. This includes but is not limited to education for staff and new technologies.
The Bronson Health Foundation Rapid Response Fund was created to support Bronson's immediate response to the fast-moving global spread of COVID-19.
The Rapid Response Fund supports
- Equipment required for testing sites
- Materials and supplies for front-line care teams
- Technology to facilitate mobile and remote care
- Childcare support for frontline staff
- Increased support for Bronson's Employees in Crisis Fund
- Additional resources for treatment that may arise during this pandemic