Generous estate gift of $3.5 million funds new suite to provide state-of-the-art care to patients.
Mercy Hospital of Folsom and its philanthropic partner, Mercy Foundation, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday evening to celebrate the opening of a new gastroenterology procedure suite. The new suite was made possible by a $3.5 million estate donation.
The generous donation for the much-needed addition to the facility, came from the estate of Folsom community leaders and steadfast supporters of the hospital, The new suite will enable physicians to provide state-of-the-art care to patients in Folsom and the surrounding areas. Longtime Folsom residents, Sevy passed away in 2009, followed by Neva in 2014, leaving a gift specifically for the funding of the profect, which is now named in their honor.
“The Sevy and Neva Cimaroli Procedure Suite at Mercy Hospital Folsom is a perfect
expression of this mission and I am so happy we are here today to celebrate this project,” said Kevin Duggan, President and CEO of Mercy Foundation. “I can go no further without first acknowledging our dear friends, Sevy and Neva Cimaroli. “They were steadfast supporters of many Mercy Foundation ministries, but closest to theirhearts was Mercy Hospital of Folsom.”
After a ceremonial ribbon cutting with members of the Cimaroli family, city leaders and members of the community had the opportunity to tour the newly constructed suite. The expansion comes after years of utilizing a much smaller, one room area of the hospital for such procedures.
“Tonight’s celebration is very timely–because April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month,” said Lisa Hausmann, President of Mercy Hospital Folsom. “My mother-in-law died from esophageal cancer at 58 years old, so this focus of medicine is
very near and dear to my heart.I’m passionate about continuing to acquire and utilize technology throughout our hospital in order to provide the best care possible to the community.”
With the growth of the Folsom community and the number of patients who use Mercy Hospital of Folsom, the expansion was long overdue to serve the increased need for advanced gastroenterology care as well as technology and equipment for such care and the ability to expand into other procedural areas of care. In addition to the expanded work space, wait times for appointments will decrease and the length of stay for admitted patients will be shortened, according to Dignity Health spokeperson Lindsay Leszczynski.
Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez was at Thursday’s event and recognized the generosity, not only of the Cimaroli family but others who have been a philanthropic force behind Mercy Hospital of Folsom from the time it broke ground.
“The generous community support shown over the years to Mercy Folsom is truly humbling.It has provided us with land we are stnding on right now, the Cummings Emergency Pavilion, and the Klein Family Helipad,” said Rodriguez. “These are just a small sample of the philanthropically funded projects here, for which our city is so grateful. Thank you to the Cimaroli family for their generous gift, and thanks to all of you who worked so hard on this new medical suite which will serve our current and future residents.”
Dignity Health is made up of more than 60,000 caregivers and staff who deliver excellent care to diverse communities in 21 states. Headquartered in San Francisco, Dignity Health is the fifth largest health system in the nation and the largest hospital provider in California.