Providence Swedish is the largest not-for-profit healthcare provider in the Pacific Northwest, and its team has been caring for the community for more than 100 years. Donations to the Swedish Foundation help improve the health and well-being of all patients. “The foundation itself, that is really a place where money can be donated to help the cutting-edge work that Swedish does throughout the region, both with patient care, as well as program development,” said Dr. Andrew Beckstrom, assistant medical director, First Hill Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Most people who donate to the foundation give to the greatest need fund, which allows Swedish to direct funds to the areas of greatest need. Some people choose to give to a particular program or campus. “Regardless, 100 percent of the money donated to the foundation goes directly back into the hospital and into the programs to better serve our community,” Dr. Beckstrom said. Contributions to the foundation continue to help Swedish’s smallest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This includes training for the staff of the Small Baby Unit where they take care of pre-term babies born before 30 weeks and/or under three pounds. The foundation also supports the unit with equipment and technology. “We can now do ultrasounds and procedures at the bedside for these small babies that otherwise we would have had to send to other parts of the hospital,” Dr. Beckstrom said. A former patient is also donating to refurbish conference space into a welcoming area for families to have private, difficult conversations. “Yes, we’re caring for the baby the whole time they’re in the NICU, but we’re also caring for the family the whole time they’re in the NICU,” Dr. Beckstrom said. “The foundation comes alongside a lot of these families and helps support them through these very hard times, these very stressful times.” To learn more about the important work of the foundation and to donate today, visit the Providence Swedish website. Sponsored by Providence Swedish Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.