Winter 2024

Message from the Board Chair of the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation

Dear Volunteer Leadership Council (VLC) Member,

Welcome to the first eNews of 2024 for our family of volunteer leaders! I want to begin by wishing you a happy and healthy new year. I also want to give a special “shout out” of thanks to you for showing up in person at our events, meetings, and programs. Your presence is inspirational and takes our team spirit to a higher level. Hats off to you for being a member of Rhode Island Hospital’s VLC and for your passion, creativity, generosity, and resolve in helping us move the needle forward to achieve our fundraising goals. Your dedicated participation and commitment to Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s hospitals is admirable and appreciated.

In closing, I hope you enjoy the following articles.

With sincere appreciation and warmest wishes,
Robert K. Vincent
Chair, Rhode Island Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees

 

A Few Updates:

Introducing Two New VLC Members to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital Leadership Council

Lauren Charness, PsyD, is a born and raised Rhode Islander and a child and adolescent psychologist at LifeStance Health. She brings her experience in conducting neuropsychological evaluations, therapy, executive function support, and consultation in a variety of settings including schools, private practices, and outpatient clinics to Hasbro Children’s Leadership Council.

Paige Clausius-Parks is Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. As the head of our statewide children’s policy and advocacy organization that works to improve the health, safety, education, economic well-being, and development of Rhode Island's children, Paige brings a commitment to better understand disparities by race, ethnicity, disability, zip code, immigration status, neighborhood, and income to the Hasbro Children’s Leadership Council.

Lobby Renovations are in the Works

Thanks to a handful of leadership supporters, renovations have begun on Rhode Island Hospital’s lobby. Creating a modern and welcoming lobby will better reflect the high-quality healthcare provided within, while enhancing community engagement. Please be aware that during construction, the main hospital entrance has been relocated to Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Volunteer Highlight

Delta Dental – Outstanding Community Partner – Sharing Smiles – Making an Impact

Why has Delta Dental chosen Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s hospitals as an area of focus for their philanthropy?

According to Joe Perroni, CEO and President of Delta Dental of Rhode Island, “for more than five decades we have been committed to creating meaningful, long-lasting, positive impact in the communities we serve. I started with Delta Dental 30 years ago and love working for a company that does so much good work in our community. Through financial support, employee volunteerism, advocacy and more, we work alongside healthcare and nonprofit partners to create more equitable access to high-quality dental care for all Rhode Islanders.”

Lifespan has been a major community partner with Delta Dental for decades. And the Samuels Sinclair Dental Center (rendering pictured by Francois Luks, MD), located on the campus of Rhode Island Hospital, is a “critically important spot” for giving back to the community. Perroni says that “the center’s work is near and dear to our hearts – providing dental services to underprivileged children and individuals with special needs. Director, Elizabeth (Liz) G. Benz, DMD, is an absolute rock star. She and her entire team radiate confidence, sincerely, and a dedication to providing each and every one of their patients with excellence in oral health care.

“As we look to the future, we at Delta Dental strive to identify solutions to the problems of a nationwide staffing shortage with workforce development opportunities in the dental sector. For instance, two years ago, we created scholarships for students accepted into the Dental Hygiene School at CCRI. We have also outfitted the Rhode Island Free Clinic, which serves some of our state’s most vulnerable individuals, with state-of-the-art equipment necessary for dental care.

“And in October of 2023, we provided the financial backing needed to not only continue to purchase cutting-edge equipment for the Samuels Sinclair Dental Center at Rhode Island Hospital, but to assist roll out of its new Oral Surgery Residency Program. The goal of this four-year program is to increase the number of practicing oral surgeons in our state, expand access to oral surgery care, and decrease the emergency room case backlog.” This leadership donation is Delta Dental’s third gift in the past 10 years.

What advice do you have for other members of our Volunteer Leadership Council in their quest to strengthen philanthropy for our hospitals?

“As a member of the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation’s Board of Governors and a Trustee for The Miriam Hospital, I am honored to receive firsthand updates about healthcare. I also enjoy connecting friends and colleagues with volunteer opportunities at the hospitals given the ones that I’m involved with have enriched my life.

My advice to all VLC members is to make time to visit and tour the hospitals so you can experience things firsthand, see work in action, and learn about programs. I also recommend getting to know Joe Panozzo and Ryan Whalen on the Development team. They are amazing ambassadors and able to help you find the right fit with your schedule so you can make a difference for our hospitals.

Attending signature events and programs is another terrific way to show your support for healthcare. Each one provides attendees with a special enthusiasm for better understanding the amazing ways that our hospitals help patients and their families in our region – and each event is inspirational.”

In closing, please join us in thanking Joe Perroni and everyone at Delta Dental of Rhode Island for their exceptional support over several decades. According to Dr. Benz, “their philanthropy has indeed been transformational. It allows for the center to provide top-notch training to leaders of the next generation of dentists while it takes care of some of the most underserved and vulnerable populations in southeastern New England. On behalf of everyone on my team, we enthusiastically applaud Delta Dental of Rhode Island for their tremendous generosity and partnership extraordinaire!”

 

Special Acknowledgements