Beebe Medical Foundation announces new fundraising campaign

Beebe Healthcare is setting its sights on providing healthcare across all of Sussex County, and its latest fundraising campaign intends to provide more care to those who need it.

Tom Protack, president of the Beebe Medical Foundation, said Sussex Supports Beebe Healthcare is a comprehensive campaign.

“It’s programs and some brick-and-mortar, but it’s more programmatic than brick-and-mortar, which is different from our previous campaign,” he said.

Kicking off Oct. 11, the campaign aims to raise $22.5 million over five years, which is about half of the foundation’s previous fundraising campaign due to the focus on programs over construction.

Based on Beebe Healthcare’s One Beebe strategic plan, Kay Young, executive director of development for Beebe Medical Foundation, said providing healthcare to those who do not have ready access is key.

Already, she said, a 36-foot mobile health clinic, priced at more than $500,000, is about ready to go, and will be able to serve people in healthcare deserts. A second mobile unit has been ordered and is under construction, she said.

“The focus is to deliver care throughout the county, and to be able to be mobile and flexible,” Young said.

Mobile healthcare units will be able to go to people in their communities, stopping at churches, community centers or wherever needed, she said.

The idea to expand outreach to those who need it originated with many foundation donors.

“Part of the goal of the strategic plan of One Beebe is to deliver superior access to care,” Protack said. “We have a lot of donors very interested through their own personal philanthropy, who want to help those who cannot help themselves. They ask how we can help those who are struggling.”

Another focus of the fundraising drive is renovating the Tunnell Cancer Center to create a comprehensive center for women’s breast health. It will offer imaging, support groups and care.

“Women will be able to enter and it will be strictly focused on them in their care. It will be more private and more personal to women’s needs,” Protack said. “We’ve had a lot of interest in offering more comprehensive care and superior patient experience and access so women of Sussex County don’t have to go out of the county for their women’s health and breast healthcare.”

Finally, the foundation seeks to meet the county’s need for more primary care physicians through a residency program based at the Lewes campus. The R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education at Beebe Healthcare will provide residency programs for students finishing up their medical degrees.

The first group of residents is expected in July 2023, starting with a class of four, said Ryan Marshall, spokesman for Beebe Healthcare. The numbers are expected to increase to eight and then eventually 12, he said.

So far, Protack said about $11 million has been raised through the new campaign, and the foundation members are optimistic they will exceed the $22.5 million goal.

“We’re excited about it. It’s a different kind of flavor of a campaign,” Protack said. “No gift is too small or too large to help Beebe continue to grow strong and meet the needs of Sussex County.”

To donate, go to BeebeMedicalFoundation.org.