News

Wailuku, Maui, HI (January 4, 2022) – Maui Health Foundation is excited to announce a $300,000 gift from Tom and Kathleen O’Gorman for the development of a Provider Wellness Program at Maui Health.

The O’Gormans originally contributed $200,000 and offered an additional $100,000 if their donation was matched. Stepping up to this challenge were Maggie and Peter Martin and Tamar and Stephen Goodfellow, donating $50,000 each for a cumulative gift of $100,000, matching the O’Gorman’s initial gift.

The Provider Wellness Program is being developed to help physicians with their health and well-being. Health care providers are in a demanding profession and the pandemic has only exacerbated the toll that the pace, long hours, and intense emotional investment can have on a provider’s mental and physical health. The O’Gormans were inspired to support Maui Health providers and this critical program after learning that wellness programs for providers had made a significant difference in so many lives. Established provider wellness programs at esteemed institutions such as Stanford University Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic confirm significant benefits including a reduction in stress and burnout.

“It’s important we support our health care workers in a way that keeps them well and able to focus on what they do best - saving lives and improving quality of life,” the O’Gormans explain. “Most of us will never be responsible for saving lives, but it is critical that we help those who do. That’s why we are proud supporters of Maui Health.”

The Maui Health Provider Wellness Program will focus on the holistic health and well-being of community physicians providing care at Maui Health.

“The O’Gormans’ gift provides a tremendous opportunity for our hospital to further focus on clinician wellness. Even before-COVID, clinician burnout was already a national public health concern. The tireless efforts of our nurses, doctors and support staff during the pandemic, demonstrate that the wellness of our workforce is a valuable community resource that we need to preserve and protect,” says Clinical Psychologist Giulietta Swenson, PsyD. “This generous gift allows us to implement more initiatives that can transform the clinician’s work-life and ultimately lead to even better patient outcomes.”

Maui Health Foundation welcomes additional gifts to fund this critical program and acknowledge the tireless work of all providers during the pandemic.

For more information about Maui Health Foundation and how to support health care in Maui County, visit mauihealth.org/foundation.

Press photo(s) attached: (high-res images available upon request)

1. Tom and Kathleen O’Gorman

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About Maui Health Foundation
Maui Health Foundation is dedicated to the philanthropic support of the Maui Health hospitals. Our Foundation works hand in hand with Maui Health to be a lifeline for our patients by supporting patient care, advancing programs and technology, and creating healing environments for all who walk through our doors. Your donations support the health of our islands’ communities as well as Maui Health employees and can include gifts of cash, property or securities, corporate grants, bequests, and employer matching contributions. For more information visit mauihealth.org/foundation.

About Maui Health
Maui Health, aka Maui Health System, community hospitals and associated clinics affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, includes Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital and associated clinics, and serves the people of Maui and Lanai. The facilities under Maui Health employ nearly 1700 Maui County residents, partner with over 450 hospital-based physicians, clinicians, and community-based primary and specialty physicians, and are open to all patients regardless of health insurance coverage. Maui Health is committed to delivering high quality, affordable, patient-centered health care and improving the health of the community. Maui Health is supported by Kaiser Permanente’s industry-leading technology systems, evidence-based medicine and nationally recognized care quality. For more information, visit mauihealth.org.