Employees give back to Swedish Covenant Hospital

During the month of June, Swedish Covenant Hospital celebrated employee philanthropy through the annual We Care Employee Giving Campaign. Annually, nearly 200 employees give a total of $100,000 to support patient care initiatives, including the Family Birthing Center, cancer care and the Helping Hands Fund. Read on to meet a few of our employee donors and learn why they support Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Gary Duffy, Engineering Manager

Gary Duffy has contributed to the growth of Swedish Covenant Hospital in many ways since he joined the organization in 1996. As the Engineering Manager, he has been part of nearly every project from the construction of Galter Medical Pavilion and Foster Medical Pavilion to the renovation of almost every patient floor and the Emergency Department. He has also contributed financially as a Swedish Covenant Hospital donor.

While it is the capital structures that consume Gary’s days, he believes it is the people that truly make Swedish Covenant Hospital unique.

“Hospitals and healthcare are challenging financially and everyone at Swedish Covenant Hospital works together to make things work,” Gary said.

In addition to working at Swedish Covenant Hospital, Gary and his family also receive their healthcare here. He is grateful for the care he has received, in addition to his employment.

“Swedish Covenant Hospital has done a lot for me and given me a lot of opportunities,” Gary said.

Alicia Juska, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacy Residency Program Director

As an employee, Alicia Juska has seen the impact that philanthropy makes for the patients she serves at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Because of this, she chooses to give back to Swedish Covenant Hospital through financial support, as well as by participating in Team SCH.

“I see this as the best way to give back because I know my donations are going to good use,” Alicia said.

Alicia has worked at Swedish Covenant Hospital for 15 years. The community-focused approach to healthcare, the diversity of the patients and employees, as well as the professional opportunities that have allowed her to continue to grow, contribute to her longevity at the hospital.

Alicia has been a member of Team SCH for three years, completing a half marathon, sprint triathlon, and this year will be competing in an international triathlon to benefit Swedish Covenant Hospital.

“It’s a good team to join and I like that it supports hospital programs,” Alicia said. “I would probably sign up anyways, so why not participate in a way that benefits the hospital?”

Pat Zeller, Manager of PACU, Endoscopy and Anesthesia

For more than 50 years, nursing has been an important part of Pat Zeller’s life. It is because of her commitment to the profession that she gives back by supporting nursing scholarships at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

“I see how many of our young nurses struggle financially,” Pat said. “Many are neighborhood kids that are needy and pay for school themselves.”

Pat is grateful for the education she received from St. Mary of Nazareth School of Nursing, and the unique experiences she had as a student at a hospital-based program. Now that nursing schools have shifted to university-based, she sees her role training nursing students at Swedish Covenant Hospital as critically important. Pat is a firm believer in continuing education, and recently completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing at the age of 69.

As a mentor to nursing students, and supporter of nursing scholarships, Pat is “passing the baton” to the next generation of nurses.

To learn more about employee philanthropy, click here, or contact the Foundation at (773) 293-5121 or foundation@swedishcovenant.org.