Throughout Riverside you’ll find employees who have a genuine desire to help other people. They inspire us to go the extra mile to help patients, visitors, community members and one another. Through their work and the way they live their lives, they leave their mark on Riverside and on us individually.

Family and friends have honored several Riverside employees by establishing named funds through the Riverside Health System Foundation. Riverside considers it an honor and a privilege to administer these funds in accordance with the wishes of the funds’ sponsors.

These funds serve as a lasting tribute to these Riverside employees and help provide an avenue for others to realize their career dreams. The families and friends of these individuals hope you’ll consider these funds as you make plans for your charitable giving.

• The Willie P. Francis Education Scholarship
• The Jean Raines Family Scholarship

 

Additional Funds Administered by the Riverside Health System Foundation

Abernathy Gardens Fund
The Abernathy Gardens Fund was established in honor of George and Estelle Abernathy, who had a long and prosperous history with Riverside and the community. The fund now supports a maintenance endowment for the beautiful garden located at Causey’s Mill, on the campus of Riverside Regional Medical Center.

Baby’s Birth Day Fund
The Baby’s Birth Day Fund was established in memory of “Mama Mary” Thompson, who for 25 years touched the lives of more than 30,000 families at Riverside through her work in the labor and delivery unit. This fund supports the needs of our littlest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and other services of our Women and Infant Care Unit.

Beaded Blessings - PACE
The Beaded Blessings program at our Riverside PACE facilities in Hampton and Richmond enhances the quality of life for our senior citizens by allowing them to learn and be creative making hand-crafted jewelry.

Dr. Mark E. Ellis Endowment Fund for Cancer Care Advancement
The Cancer Care Services Endowment Fund was renamed in 2010 to honor the remarkable life and works of Dr. Mark E. Ellis, who was a founding advisor in the establishment of the Riverside Cancer Care Services Endowment through his vision of integrative medicines including synchronized therapies, nutritional counseling, and family support at the Peninsula Cancer Institute.

Healthcare Heroes Scholarship & Student Assistance Fund
The Healthcare Heroes Scholarship & Student Assistance Fund honors Leslie D. Mask, Anna A. Weston, and Judy Lee, whose lives and contributions as healthcare professionals made them heroes to all who knew them. Since 2008, the fund awards scholarships and grants to individuals pursuing a career in healthcare.

Help Fund (For Riverside Team Members)
The Help Fund was established to provide financial grants to fellow Riverside employees who experience a disaster or personal loss through no fault of their own.

Hospice Fund
The Riverside Hospice Fund supports the patients, programs, and staff training needs at Riverside Hospice in Newport News, Riverside Walter Reed Hospice, and Riverside Tappahannock Hospice.

• Legacy of Love Event

Tree of Life Cancer Care Fund
The Tree of Life Cancer Care Fund supports the community outreach initiatives, screening and prevention programs, facility enhancements and immediate patient assistance needs of cancer services at Riverside.

Make a Difference Funds
The Make a Difference Fund is an opportunity for grateful patients and the community to support Riverside’s mission to improve the health of our patients and their families. Gifts can also be designated to specific facilities or programs:

• RBHC - Make a Difference Fund: Directly benefits Riverside Behavioral Health Center.
• RRMC - Make a Difference Fund: Directly benefits Riverside Regional Medical Center.
• RSHC - Make a Difference Fund: Directly benefits Riverside School of Health Careers.
• RTH - Make a Difference Fund: Directly benefits Riverside Tappahannock Hospital.
• RWRH - Make a Difference Fund: Directly benefits Riverside Walter Reed Hospital.

The Nurse in the Hat Fund
The family and friends of Linda Handley, RN established The Nurse in the Hat Fund to honor Linda’s dream, her life’s work and her commitment to professionalism in nursing. Each year, one or more scholarships are awarded to students in Riverside School of Professional Nursing.

Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Community and Patient Fund
The Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Community and Patient Fund supports the patient assistance needs, capital projects, and community outreach of Riverside Rehabilitation Institute in downtown Newport News.

Clarise Clark Zukerman Scholarship
The Clarise Clark Zukerman Scholarship was established by Marvin Zukerman in memory of his wife “Chris” in appreciation for the nurses who took care of her at Riverside during her illness. Annual scholarships are awarded to students pursuing their nursing diploma at Riverside School of Professional Nursing.

The Riverside Health System Foundation was created in 1999 by Riverside Health System to benefit the community. It is comprised of contributions from the public and Riverside Health System. The common bond among donors is a desire to support charitable community causes and qualified nonprofit organizations that help improve the health of our community and make Southeast Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family. The Foundation administers several funds intended to pay tribute to specific Riverside employees.