Meet the Doctor

End-of-Year Gifts & Tax Planning

Berry Creek Cancer Fund

Project SEARCH Students Graduate

I N S I D E

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pg.3Want to Help a

Great Nurse Become Even Better?

Save the Date – Seton Women’s Development

Board Gala

What is Humancare?

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A newsletter for friends of the Seton Williamson Foundation supporting Seton Highland Lakes Hospital, Seton Northwest Hospital and Seton Medical Center Williamson

For most of us, losing our breath is a fleeting discomfort. For Wanda McSpadden, the terrifying episodes went on for minutes. Thanks to Wanda’s story and generous donors Mary and Troy Rodriguez, Seton Williamson is home to a new treatment for severe asthma.

“When it happened, I remember seeing my grandmother, who’s deceased,” Wanda recalled her near-death ordeal that occurred in October 2012. “I woke up at 3 a.m. gasping for air. I turned blue.”

Fighting for Air

setonwilliamsonfdn.org

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Donors make generous gift after hearing Wanda’s story

Fall2014

Seton Williamson patient Wanda McSpadden

Special Insert: Seton Highland Lakes

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“I like the commitment Seton Williamson has to the health of Round Rock and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Austin Hill, an orthopaedic surgeon with Austin Skeletal Trauma Specialists. “That’s in line with the goals of our practice—to provide the highest level of care in joint reconstruction and orthopaedic trauma injuries 365 days a year.”

Dr. Hill earned both a masters in public health and his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, following a home-grown education at Westlake High School and UT Austin. He is trained to treat the most serious fractures, including pelvic and acetabular fractures which typically occur in severe motor vehicle accidents. This expertise is invaluable to trauma patients at Seton Williamson’s Level II trauma center.

When he’s not working, he’s still hard at work writing scientific papers for peer-reviewed journals. This year alone, he has published seven papers. “I’m focused on advancing medicine through research and education.”

He adds, “Claims about quality of care often go unchecked. There has to be a value proposition in medicine. As our processes improve, we become more efficient. More expensive doesn’t always mean better quality. Doing it right is less expensive and has better outcomes. This is the real innovation in medicine. As a doctor, this is one of my core values.”

Dr. Hill and his wife Kristin live in Round Rock with their young daughter Lily. He is currently seeing new patients on Thursdays at the Austin Skeletal Trauma Specialists office in Seton Williamson Medical Plaza. For appointments, call 512-391-1751.

Meet the Doctor Austin Hill, MD, MPH – Orthopaedic Surgery

Fighting for AirContinued from Cover

Wanda’s husband Nathan, who kept his cool despite his fears, began CPR and called 911. Over the next seven minutes, Wanda fought for air. First responders rushed her to the emergency room.

“I basically died. Thank goodness it wasn’t my time,” said Wanda, a loving grandmother who developed severe asthma during her first pregnancy.

Over the past few years, severe attacks sent her to the hospital every couple of months despite medications. Wanda often had to be on oxygen and felt more secure having someone with her at all times in case of an emergency.

“The disease was taking everything from me—my independence, my job, my mobility. Nathan, who works at Seton Williamson, took on more at home. We stopped going anywhere.”

Pulmonary specialist Dr. Harsh Babbar told Wanda about his colleague Dr. Said Soubra, who was newly certified to perform bronchial thermoplasty (BT). The incision-free outpatient procedure uses mild heat to remove excess smooth muscle—muscle that blocks airways in the lungs during an attack.

Wanda felt hopeful. In April, she began the three-part treatment at Seton Williamson, which shared the portable BT device with other Seton hospitals.

“The night before my first procedure, we ordered Chinese food. I opened my fortune to find, ‘The coming months will bring winds of change in your life.’ I couldn’t believe it!”

Her fortune was right. After her second treatment, Wanda’s pulmonary function score jumped 50 points. She could finally take a deep breath with ease.

“The difference is night and day. A trip to the splash pad with my grandkids was out of the question, but now I can do it on my own and without an oxygen tank. Nathan and I are finally planning our dream trip to Key West.”

“Wanda’s severe, persistent asthma was one of the worst cases I’ve seen,” described Dr. Soubra. “Although BT doesn’t cure asthma, it is a promising new technique, and it’s greatly improved Wanda’s life.”

Impressed by Wanda’s results, Dr. Soubra invited her to speak at a Seton Williamson Foundation board meeting. After hearing her story, long-time supporters Mary and Troy Rodriguez wrote a generous check to fund Seton Williamson’s own BT system, eliminating the need to share with other Seton facilities.

“It was an honor for us to provide a new bronchial thermoplasty system to Seton Williamson,” said Troy and Mary Rodriguez. “The increased availability of this treatment means more people like Wanda can live a full life again. We are confident that Dr. Soubra and Seton will help many patients live without the fear of a severe asthmatic attack.”

“When I heard about the Rodriguez’s gift, I cried happy tears. I was overwhelmed by their generosity,” Wanda said.

She has even been inspired to plan her own fundraiser for people with severe asthma. As Wanda puts it, “Everyone should breathe!”

Austin Hill, MD, MPH

Wanda and her husband Nathan

With the end of 2014 just a few months away, are you starting to think about end-of-year gifts and tax planning?

If the answer is yes, in addition to giving cash, there are two alternative giving options to consider:

• Appreciated asset gifts such as stocks or real estate. By giving your appreciated asset to Seton (not selling it yourself ) you will bypass capital gains tax, create a charitable tax deduction, and avoid the tax on net investment income.

• Charitable life income plans, such as a charitable gift annuity, can be created with cash or, better yet, with a low-yielding asset (e.g., a stock that pays a 1% dividend) to give you a higher income stream while making a generous gift to Seton. Benefits include income to you or a loved one, a current income tax deduction, and a bypass of all or a portion of the capital gains.

Giving appreciated assets is one of the most tax efficient ways to support Seton Williamson. For more information, please contact Tim Aronson at tjaronson@seton.org or 512-324-4091.

End-of-Year Gifts & Tax Planning

Project SEARCH Students Graduate

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Your support helps graduates find rewarding jobs

Interns (L to R): Logan Fuqua, Domanique McKay, Forrest Wilson, Brennan O’Donnell, Rae Ann Firl, Erin Walsh, Jack Keefer, Danny Taylor, Rachel Criddle, and David Jay

Thanks to your generous donations, 10 young adults bonded by their determination to find competitive jobs, graduated from Project SEARCH at Seton Williamson in May. They are excited, hopeful, and ready to find meaningful employment that showcases their strengths and abilities.

A lead gift of $10,000 from the Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation made at the Seton Women’s Development Board’s gala last year, kicked off fundraising to expand Project SEARCH to Seton Williamson. Following the Foundation’s lead, Seton supporters gave $100,000 before the gala ended.

Project SEARCH at Seton Williamson provides real-world work experience to students transitioning from high school special education to adult life. Students complete internships in a variety of departments at the hospital. The end goal is competitive employment.

New graduate Jack Keefer, who very quickly made an impression on the sterile processing manager, has accepted a part-time job at Seton Williamson. He assembles surgical sets and instruments, preparing them for the hefty sterilization process—a job that requires an impeccable eye for detail.

“When I was an intern with Project SEARCH, I had to learn all about the hospital to find a job that is a good fit for me and one I love coming to each day.”

“Amazing stories like Jack’s showcase the power of Project SEARCH,” said Cate Sitton, grant manager, Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation. “We are proud to support this program at Seton Williamson for the work it does to enhance the quality of life for young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and encourage others in the community to step forward and make a gift.”

Since 2007, 54 students have graduated from Project SEARCH across the Seton network, and 26 have been hired by Seton. Another 20 have found competitive employment in the community.

To find out how you can support Project SEARCH, contact Tim Aronson at tjaronson@seton.org or 512-324-4091.

Berry Creek Cancer Fund Hits Hole in One to Improve Cancer Care

Williamson County residents facing cancer can rely on personalized help in navigating their care, thanks to the 2014 Berry Creek Cancer Fund Golf Tournament.

This 16th annual event held June 7 at Berry Creek

Country Club in Georgetown raised more than $57,000 to fund a cancer nurse navigator to improve cancer care in Williamson County. Special thanks go to tournament chair Katy Quinn and the entire committee who worked tirelessly to ensure a successful event.

The nurse navigator, who is part of a team of cancer professionals, serves as the single point of contact for patients, their families, and all involved in their recovery. This nurse guides patients through diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer.

“I feel grateful that I can help patients eliminate barriers to care and lead them to recovery,” said Cynthia Fawver, RN, oncology nurse navigator at Seton Williamson.

“Hundreds of people throughout Georgetown stepped up to help friends and family, and people they may never meet,” said Quinn. “Every supporter of this event is part of the huge charity circle that makes Georgetown special.”

Seton Williamson Foundation thanks the Berry Creek Cancer Fund Committee for its work to ensure cancer navigation services will continue. Save the date for the 2015 tournament: Saturday, June 6, 2015. For more information, please visit www.berrycreekcancerfund.org.

201 Seton Parkway • Round Rock, TX 78665P 512.324.4090 • F 512.324.4657 • setonwilliamsonfdn.org

The Beacon is published twice each year for donors and friends of Seton Medical Center Williamson. It is a publication of the Seton Williamson Foundation, Donna Budak, executive director.

Seton Williamson Board of Trustees

Life TrusteesCharles N. Avery, III

Judy McLeod

Ex-Officio MembersHarsh Babbar, MD

Sister Helen Brewer, DCDonna BudakScott FullerJesús Garza

Ken Gladish, PhDBrian Lidiak

Michelle RobertsonSaid Soubra, MD

Community Volunteer Leadership

Amy GanttSeton Women’s Development Board

Nancy CrouseSeton Circle President

The Beacon production team includes photography by Jim Lincoln and design by onecreativegirl.com.

Your feedback and suggestions are welcome at info@setonwilliamsonfdn.org. For more information about support provided by the Seton Williamson Foundation, visit setonwilliamsonfdn.org.

Through the generosity of the Seton Nurse Scholarship Endowment, and in particular endowment donors Kathy and R. Griffin Lord, and Sharon and Mike Daggett, two Seton Williamson nurse scholarship recipients are closer to achieving their educational goals.

• Elizabeth Akinyemi is studying to earn a masters of science in nursing, which she needs to become a nurse practitioner.

• Jessica Ward will use the money to earn an associates degree in nursing, in hopes of specializing in intensive care.

“It’s an honor for me and my wife Kathy, together with Sharon and Mike Daggett, to support Jessica and Elizabeth in furthering their education,” said R. Griffin Lord. “Their care and expertise will have a positive effect on the health of our community.” Both women expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Lords, the Daggetts, and the Seton Nurse Scholarship Endowment.

To find out how you can help Seton Williamson nurses further their education, contact Tim Aronson at 512-324-4091 or tjaronson@seton.org.

SAVE THE DATE!

Want to Help a Great Nurse Become Even Better?

Scholarships support nursing care

Jim Schwertner, Chairman

David Hays, Secretary

Troy Rodriguez, Treasurer

John S. Avery, Jr.Ty BarhoCliff BlountNancy CrouseBob Eskridge

Bryan FarneyDan Gattis, Jr.Ken GrahamRandy HowryFrank KrenekBetty LordNyle MaxwellJim NyquistLaura RobinsonJeff RuskBonnie SellsDavid Singleton

What is Humancare?Seton recently launched a new public campaign called Humancare that challenges the status quo of health care and brings humanity back into focus.

The campaign casts a wide net, appearing on TV, radio and online media. You may have seen the eye-catching billboard series which launched the campaign (pictured right).

Humancare is a recommitment to the people we serve and a modern take on our mission to care for and improve the health of everyone in Central Texas. It’s a rallying cry to continue our human touch in every interaction—a step that moves Seton closer to person-centered care.

Join the conversation on twitter, #humancare or visit setonhumancare.org.

SETON GALA 20 15Saturday, February 21, 2015

Benefiting building and equipment needs atSeton Medical Center Williamson

For sponsorship information, visit www.setonwilliamsonfdn.org or contact Heather Parsons at 512-324-4061 or hparsons@seton.org.

Elizabeth Akinyemi and Jessica Ward