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PR-01/14/02: SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY 01/04/2002 CONTACT:   San Mateo County Health Center fountain is dedicated The fountain of the new San Mateo County Health Center was dedicated last week as a gift of the employees of the Health Center. The fountain, located in the hub of the newly rebuilt Health Center, is the largest single gift of the employees group, known as Chope Champions to reflect the name of the hospital when they began in 1988. Their gifts over the years have totaled more than $200,000. Staff contributions, handled by the Health Center Foundation, have resulted in the purchase of needed equipment for departments that have not been funded by other revenues. Among those purchases are standardized crash carts throughout the hospital, patient monitoring equipment such as Dynamaps and Pulse Oximeters, imaging equipment, patient moving devices like Smoothmovers, examination lights, breast pumps, infant seats, furniture for patients and staff, computer equipment and patient exercise equipment as well as the establishment of a patient emergency cash fund. During the construction of the new Health Center the Chope Champion staff chose to donate $50,000 to insure that the fountain remained a centerpiece of the central hub of the new buildings. The fountain is a tribute to their dedication and a symbol of healing and health for patients, visitors and staff. The mission of Chope Champions is to provide opportunities for the employees to make charitable donations to the Health Center through a process of payroll deductions, staff talent shows, dances and individual donations of small change and large bills. A committee of dedicated staff provides leadership and coordination for this effort. The fountain was named to honor Joni Commons, the deputy health director who was in charge of the hospital construction project and a Chope Champions supporter who died shortly after construction on the Health Center began.