Salinas Valley Health Foundation Receives $125,000 Grant for Spiritual & Palliative Care

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Salinas Valley Health Foundation is proud to announce that it has received a grant in the amount of $125,000 from Hospice Giving Foundation. HG Foundation has awarded over $28 million in grants for community-based support to promote personal choice, preparedness, and the highest standards of compassionate, dignified end-of-life care for individuals and their loved ones.

This generous grant will fund the addition of a second full time chaplain to expand the services and coverage of our Spiritual Care Department, with an emphasis on better serving our Spanish speaking and Catholic community members. Over the last 18+ months, and especially in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a demonstrated need for additional spiritual care support within the hospital.

When asked about the importance of having spiritual care available for our patients, Hospital Chaplain Chriss Petersen says “Caring for the whole person involves the physical body, as well as our mind, emotions, and spirit. Spiritual care is an integral part of the healing process, and we are so thankful to have the support of Hospice Giving Foundation in delivering that care.” A portion of this grant will also help subsidize the existing dedicated Nurse Practitioner position for outpatient palliative care.

“The need for these services cannot be overstated,” says Jeff Wardwell, Chief Philanthropy Officer of Salinas Valley Health Foundation. “Our community and our Foundation are very fortunate to have advocates and partners such as the Hospice Giving Foundation. They not only understand the needs of the entire community, they take decisive action to support programs like ours to ensure that no one gets left behind.”