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Esteemed Blue Ribbon Panel Celebrates Future of St. Luke’s Hospital

On February 3, 2009, the California Pacific Medical Center Foundation honored the St. Luke’s Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations regarding the future of St. Luke’s. The event took place before a gathering of Blue Ribbon Panel members, donors, supporters, and friends of St. Luke’s Hospital.

In March 2008, an independent Panel was formed to pursue a fact-finding mission about the future of St. Luke’s Hospital. Recently, a consensus was achieved resulting in a series of recommendations for the future of St.Luke’s and its important role in the South of Market/Mission District of the City.

The Rt. Reverend Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California who served as Vice-Chair of the Panel, spoke about how vital St. Luke’s services are to supporting the healthy diversity of San Francisco.

Individuals and Foundations Praised, Remembered

Exceptional donors were spotlighted at the event, including Mrs. John A. Sutro, Sr. (known to her friends and family as Betty), who was acknowledged for her decades-long commitment to St. Luke’s which began as a charter member of the Hospital’s Auxiliary Board over half a century ago. Mrs. Sutro served as Treasurer then Secretary running the Auxiliary’s annual Musée event for many years. A driving force behind philanthropy for St. Luke’s, Mrs. Sutro also served as a Hospital Director and Foundation Trustee.

Auxiliaries Recognized

The St. Luke’s Junior Auxiliary (SLJA) and St. Luke’s Auxiliary organizations were both praised for their significant fundraising contributions to the Hospital over the years.

Since 2003, the SLJA has raised over $1 million for medical needs such as prenatal care, infant immunization and education for underserved women and children.

St. Luke’s Auxiliary President Maria Vicente-Puletti and Vice-President Mari Betti were also duly praised for their continued dedication to St. Luke’s, whose most recent accomplishments include the "Musee de Noel," an annual benefit for specific St. Luke’s programs. In 2008, the Auxiliary celebrated its 57th annual event with "Musee Goes to Beach Blanket Babylon" which raised $60,000 for the satellite clinic of the Kalmanovitz Child Development Center located on the St. Luke’s campus. The Auxiliary was also commended for their "Find a Need and Fill It" program whereby Auxiliary members volunteer to purchase materials such as clothing for homeless patients, or reading materials for the Chapel an as needed basis.

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