TMH Foundation Announces First Annual ‘TMH Day’ For Wednesday, May 15

UPDATE: Due to the impact of the tornados and other severe weather in our community, we are postponing TMH Day. Our thoughts are with everyone whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted. We will plan to celebrate TMH Day in the near future.

Day Celebrates Excellent Healthcare for All, Aims to Raise $100K to Support Patients, Programs and Services

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Monday, May 13, 2024) – The Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Foundation is gearing up to celebrate TMH Day on Wednesday, May 15 – the first of an annual celebration to commemorate the importance of the region’s only nonprofit, community-based healthcare system and to advance patient care through generous community support.

Held during National Hospital Week, TMH Day aims to raise $100,000 from businesses and individuals who give back to support locally-governed healthcare and the highest level of care available in the region. Nationally, Hospital Week recognizes the 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, networks and others who provide care to communities across the country.

Serving 21 counties in North Florida and South Georgia, TMH is the region’s healthcare leader and Tallahassee’s largest private employer with approximately 6,000 colleagues.

In fiscal year 2023 alone, TMH saw nearly 32,000 admissions and over 140,000 emergency and urgent care center visits. From giving babies born prematurely a fighting chance to providing scholarships for nurses, the TMH Foundation exists to elevate the level of care for everyone. Last year, donor support for the TMH Foundation made more than $4 million of additional services and support possible for TMH patients and their loved ones.

“As a nonprofit hospital, we provide care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Nigel Allen, President, and Chief Advancement Officer of the TMH Foundation. “Our donors make it possible to bring in new technologies, improve our facilities and support patient care. Through the years we been blessed by the incredible generosity of our donors and have already received enormous support for this new initiative. “

Approximately two-thirds of all Emergency Services patients in Leon County are cared for by TMH, which has the region’s only Level II Trauma Center. On TMH Day, donors are invited to support priority funding areas including emergency services, cancer care, heart and vascular programs and women’s and children’s services.  TMH also welcomes support for any other area of the hospital or for a general contribution at TMHDay.org. 
As part of TMH Day, the healthcare system is sharing patient testimonials that demonstrate the impact of TMH and its team members on patients and families across the region. Richard Otway is a patient with Parkinson’s disease receiving treatment and care at TMH. Thanks to TMH Physician Partners - Neurology, Otway was able to return to doing the things he loves, including bike riding and more volunteer work at his church. He and his wife, Heidi Otway, a TMH Foundation board member, appear in a patient video to share their journey of life-saving care at TMH.

“TMH has been a game changer for us. The providers, nurses and team members are so solutions-focused, and for that I am truly grateful,” Heidi Otway said. “TMH Day is our chance to show our support for the hospital that is restoring the quality of life for families, including mine. Many people across our community have a similar story. I encourage everyone to share their experience of hope and healing during this campaign.”

At TMHDay.org, patients and family members are invited to submit their own TMH story.

Hancock Whitney kicked off TMH Day with a generous donation toward the initiative. As of Friday, May 10, the Foundation was more than halfway to the $100,000 goal.

“We wanted to support TMH Day because every dollar raised for TMH Day goes to support our mission,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president at Hancock Whitney Bank and chair-elect of the TMH Foundation. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved and support our local access to high quality care.”

In addition to TMH Day, TMH is celebrating National Hospital Week with special appreciation events for colleagues each day, Monday, May 13 – Friday, May 17.

“When you think about what TMH means to the wellbeing and overall quality of life of our community, we have so much to celebrate,” Allen said. “We hope everyone will join us in making TMH Day a success.”

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY
For an interview with Nigel Allen, Heidi Otway or Paul Sullivan, please contact Greg Salyer at Greg.Salyer@TMH.ORG or 850-405-6899.