Hospice of the Western Reserve Launches Foundation, Introduces Inaugural Board

Cleveland, Ohio (June 28, 2021) -- Hospice of the Western Reserve (HWR), Northern Ohio’s leading provider of hospice, palliative care and grief support services, has launched The Hospice of the Western Reserve Foundation. As a separate 501(c) (3) nonprofit public charity, the foundation will provide financial support to programs benefiting patients and their families such as pediatric hospice care and healing arts programs.

“The new foundation will be funded through donations from friends of HWR, a structure that will allow our non-profit to engage with civic and community leaders who share our commitment to innovation and providing the highest quality end-of-life care,” said Hospice of the Western Reserve president and CEO Bill Finn. “We are thrilled to have veteran fundraiser and lifelong Clevelander Laura Rayburn at the helm of this new endeavor as the foundation’s president.”

The inaugural foundation board is comprised of a dynamic group of dedicated members of the Northern Ohio community, including industry leaders and philanthropists.

“Each member has personal or professional experiences with our organization, allowing them to bring unique skills and perspectives to the foundation. Their community engagement and passion for the mission will allow us to continue to fund programs that support the deeper work of hospice,” said Rayburn.

Joining the foundation as new board members are: 

• Vikki Broer
• Alfred F. Connors, Jr., MD
• Mary S. Foti
• William A. Herzberger
• Cynthia (Cindy) Ames Huffman
• Kathy Jadallah
• Joe Kovalcheck
• Margaret (Peggi) S. Mizen
• Martha Brewer Rini
• Christopher Waite

HWR president and CEO Bill Finn and CFO Jeff Kovacs will also sit on the foundation board.

“Many of the special services provided by the agency - such as music and pet therapies - bring meaning, joy and healing during a very difficult time,” said Dr. Connors, who was the first to sign on as a board member of the foundation. “These services are not reimbursed by Medicare or commercial insurance, so they rely on philanthropic support. The foundation’s goal is to ensure Hospice of the Western Reserve is here for the next 50 years and beyond so future generations can receive the expert, compassionate care all families deserve.”

For more information about The Hospice of the Western Reserve Foundation, contact Laurie Henrichsen at 216.701.1768.