“We get to do really privileged work. Our mission is to engage the community to make sure we have really high-level health care in the valley,” said Andrea Reeder, who has been with Asante for 12 years and is currently serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Philanthropy Officer.
Asante’s tradition of philanthropy began in the 1950s when community leaders decided that we needed a new hospital. They recruited 100 volunteers, fed them breakfast at the Elks Club, gave each a list of names and addresses, and sent them out door to door to raise money to build the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital, which is part of the present complex on Barnett Road.
Asante works differently now, but community support is no less vital today than it was back then. “We work with donors to help support any area of care they want to be part of and consider ourselves philanthropic guides, rather than fundraisers,” said Andrea.
Asante Foundation, is the philanthropic arm of Asante. Asante is a charitable non-profit organization. It is governed by a local board of directors composed of volunteers and physicians; thus, all decisions are made by people who live and work in the community.
Asante Foundation is currently involved in its most ambitious philanthropic effort yet – AsanteForward2030. The three focus areas of that effort are cardiac care expansion, The Family House expansion, and medical oncology renovation.
Asante’s heart and vascular program is nationally recognized for providing outstanding cardiac care. Advances in the cardiac care department will include expansion of care infrastructure, six new cath labs with two shelled-in for future use, and increase of cardiovascular prep and recovery rooms offering co-location of cardiovascular, extended stay and the cardiovascular intensive care unit on the same floor.
Since 2008, The Family House has been a pillar of support for countless families, providing an affordable, accessible, home-like setting where patients and their families can find refuge during their medical journey. Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass has seen increased capacity, which necessitates more space at the Grants Pass Hospitality House.
With community support, Asante will create a new, dedicated Medical Oncology Wing by renovating a vacant area of the hospital. This facility will match the high level of compassionate care delivered and be purpose-built for the latest in-hospital treatments.
Why is Asante Foundation located downtown? They outgrew their space on the Rogue Regional campus. They looked at a lot of locations, and this one stood out. “It is easy to get to, it lent itself to our remodel plans, (ample office spaces, a large board room that can host small events, conference rooms), and it’s only seven minutes away from the hospital,” said Andrea.
“The Foundation’s staff and team enjoy being downtown. There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops, and Pear Blossom Park is right outside our door so we’re here for all the special events. I am very pleased with the effort by DMA to support events and activities, and I would welcome more small businesses and restaurants to downtown,” added Andrea.
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