Health Services Foundation: The 30-year journey, a history of giving back

By Elizabeth Dulin
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
HOULTON, Maine — This is our last article about the Foundation’s 30th Anniversary as we now move on with our remarkable Journey and Legacy of “Giving Back,” for 2004 to 2013. As I mentioned in the second story you will see grant-funding dollars, beginning in 2004, become a lot higher.    The following is a look back at some of the Foundations projects
2004 — the Foundation had its first large grant-funding year with $183,495 being awarded to Houlton Regional for Pediatric Facility Expansion, a necessary project due to the fact the facility needed to become contiguous with the main hospital.
Events were held in support of the effort and young local artists designed wonderful fish for the donor wall plaques. Other funding included Houlton Regional for additional Education Center equipment, East Grand Health Center for equipment, and $7,000 in Scholarships.
2005 — $71,870: Houlton Regional Education Center equipment, and Obstetrics, East Grand Health Center Equipment and $7,000 in Scholarships.
2006 — $77,255: Houlton Regional Education Center equipment, East Grand Health Center facility expansion, Island Falls Ambulance equipment, Vital Pathways Healthy Walking Trail, and $8,000 in Scholarships.
In 2007, the Foundation began one of the biggest campaigns it had ever undertaken. It was during this time that the $1 Million Dollar Mark in grant funding was reached. So the idea was put forth  “Lets Try to Raise a Million.” At that time Houlton Regional was looking to bring state-of-the-art Nuclear Medicine equipment to the hospital, and when the final check was presented in 2010 we raised the monies not only for nuclear medicine equipment, but the Radiology Department expansion as well.
2007 — $360,100: $302,000 alone for Houlton Regional Nuclear Medicine Imaging equipment, $58,100 for additional Education Center, East Grand Health Center, Island Falls Ambulance, Katahdin Valley Health Center equipment needs, and $8,000 in scholarships.
2008 — $50,603: Houlton Regional Education Center and Pediatric Clinic Equipment, East Grand Health Center, Houlton Ambulance Service, Island Falls Ambulance, Katahdin Valley Health Center equipment needs, and $8,000 in scholarships.
2009 — $108,000: Nuclear Medicine Project continued with $100,000 to Houlton Regional and $8,000 in scholarships for that year.
2010 — $219,065: Houlton Regional Nuclear Medicine/Radiology Expansion Project conclusion, additional equipment for Education Center, East Grand Health Center and $8,000 in scholarships.
2011 — $30,000: Monies were raised in equipment support for Houlton Regional Education Center, Katahdin Valley Health Center equipment and assisting the endowment fund; $12,000 in scholarships was awarded.
The year 2012 again saw large funding with $309,213 awarded: Digital Mammography for Houlton Regional; additional equipment for Education Center; Island Falls Ambulance; and $11,900 in scholarships.
2013 — The year of our 30th anniversary. A year that took on, once again, a new challenge for us with the goal of raising enough funds to support the purchase of nine new pieces of equipment for Houlton Regional. These pieces spanned several different departments requiring replacement of end-of-life items and up-grades for others due to rapid technology changes. Foundation funding this campaign plus Oakfield Fire Department equipment and scholarships will be $134,000.
I am reminded every single day of just how remarkable our donors are in all the communities we serve, as the generosity is truly amazing. It is our hope you will feel that 30 years of support to our area health care providers has made a difference in our corner of the world as well as the corner of your world. The first 30 years has been an amazing run and the difference we have made would never have happened without the strength of all who live here.
From 1983 to 2013, we have supported equipment, education opportunities, and capital needs, to the best of our financial ability, reaching the $2.3 million mark of giving back. Fifteen years ago I would never have dreamed of having the honor and privilege of being director of such an amazing organization. This is a position I never take for granted. We have done much, however, there is still much to do and for me to be part of this, there are just not enough words to express how truly rewarding it is.
Over the years I have had and still have great trustees; staff and volunteers that continue our efforts to have a positive impact on the health of our communities, and with them the amazing, wonderful people I have met along the way.  Their personal encouragement, giving of their time as well as financial resources has grown friendships that money could never buy, and it just doesn’t get any better than that.
We now look to the future and what the years ahead will hold for us. The world of health care has become incredibly complex and the cost of equipment continues to rise, sometime at an alarming rate. We must keep pace with what is happening in the health care world to the best of our ability, and that requires the diligence of our providers, the dedicated support of our donors which in turn allows us to keep true to our Mission of “Excellence in Health Care” to all those we serve.”
We hope you enjoyed our 30-year journey — a journey founded and based upon a heritage of unprecedented support and great respect. To everyone from the health services foundation we extend to you. Our deepest and heartfelt thank you for 30 incredible years! You have built the foundation we have become.
Anyone wishing further information about Foundation projects/programs can call 521-2147 or visit the website at www.healthservicesfoundation.org.
 Elizabeth Dulin is the executive director for the Health Services Foundation in Houlton.