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Philanthropy is largely, and increasingly, dominated by women. In recognition of these statistics and in an effort to maximize the power of women’s giving, the Morton Plant Mease Foundation’s “Women In Philanthropy” group was created. With a mission to inspire and empower women to fulfill their philanthropic potential by improving the quality of health care in our community, over 190 women gather annually to collectively decide where their giving will be used within the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease Health Care.
How Our Program Works
Clearwater Chapter members pledge $1,000 annually, for a period of two years, while members of North Bay Hospital pledge $500 for the same two year period. Each year, the steering committees are presented with five to fifteen granting opportunities (depending on the monies available), submitted by the hospitals of Morton Plant Mease Health Care. Each committee reviews the proposals and selects those most appropriate to present to their memberships-at-large. The Fall Educational luncheons include presentations given by a representative on behalf of each program requesting funding from “Women in Philanthropy.”
Prostate Program Coordinator/Navigator ~ $45,000
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men in the US. Moreover, it is the second leading cause of cancer death. The Prostate Treatment team, including the Prostate Navigator, will provide services from screening and targeted treatments to support groups. According to the American Cancer Society, if cancer is found before it spreads outside the prostate or is restricted to tissues near the prostate, the 5-year survival rate is between 95 and 100%. Taking steps to maintain prostate health along with regular screenings can lead to earlier diagnosis and the best outcomes.
Caregiving Youth Project of Pinellas ~ $50,000
The mission of Caregivers Support Network is to recognize, support, and promote the awareness of dual role youth living in Pinellas County who are both students and young caregivers within their families. The purpose is to raise awareness and provide education to the public and professionals, to research this area, and to provide services to identify and support youth caregivers and their families.
S.M.I.L.E. (Stress Management Initiative & Life Enhancement) ~ 45,000
The SMILE program is designed to provide a variety of stress resilience tools, on-site, to hospital team members for free. A room that is centrally located is reserved and a team of SMILE workers transform that room into a quiet atmosphere that team members can walk into any time without an appointment and enjoy one or many of the stress resilience services.
Physical Therapist Assistant ‘EAYL’ Program ~ $15,000
There is currently a shortage of physical therapy professionals nationwide. This program funds scholastic and practical education in the physical therapy field. The PTA Earn As You Learn program allows the participant to attend school and work part-time to obtain total earnings up to 40 hours per week during the 2 year program. Upon graduation, the participant agrees to work as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant within our organization for a period of two years.
Bobbie Marks Gynecological Cancer Program ~ $75,000
The Bobbie Marks Gynecological and Women’s Cancer Care program was conceived by the Marks Family in memory of their mother. The program focuses on providing the highest quality community cancer care by combining the research efforts of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and the compassionate care provided by Hector Arango, MD, the nurses and other clinical staff. Through your generosity and the commitment of the Marks Family it became possible to foster the continuation of ground breaking research being done here, now, in your community hospital.
Lung Cancer Screening Program ~ $11,000
Lung cancer kills more women every year than any other cancer. But most women - - like most Americans - - know very little about the disease, the warning signs, or effective new treatment options. Lung cancer will kill approximately by 68,510 women in the U.S. this year – more than breast ovarian cancer combined. Lung cancer deaths surpassed breast cancer deaths in 1987. The goal of this program is to speak at 4-6 women’s group meetings a year to educate and do preliminary screening.
YWCA Child Care Center ~ 30,000
The YWCA has the availability of space in a child care center. They currently operate in downtown Safety Harbor and are creating space for 6 infants, 8 toddlers and several spaces in the 2’s, 3’s and 4’s for MPM team members and nurses. Child Care is an important recruitment tool.
Morton Plant North Bay 2007 Awards
Vascular Program ~ $16,000
The Morton Plant North Bay (MPNB) Vascular Program is a multi-phased program designed to promote the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Phase 1 of this program will be housed in the MPNB Cardiovascular Center; staffed by registered nurses, cardiovascular and radiology technologists.
Patients interested in being seen at the center may be self-referred or referred by a physician. Those with  results indicating a need for further clinical follow-up will be referred to a MPNB provider for further diagnosis and treatment. These providers consist of MPNB affiliated cardiologists, radiologists and vascular surgeons. Screening and diagnostic imaging results, as well as VP provider referral information, will also be shared with the patient's primary care physician to ensure a comprehensive approach to treatment.
Future phases of the MPNB Vascular Program include Cardiovascular Multi-specialty Clinics staffed by VP providers, a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Center as well as possible joint venture opportunities with community physicians. Funding will be used for marketing of the newly created program.
Emergency Room Equipment ~ $11,500 
Nationwide, emergency room overcrowding is one of the biggest issues facing hospitals. At North Bay, to accomodate our local increase in patients, the staff is renovating existing staff and physician offices within the ER into patient rooms. There is also an extreme shortage of functional equipment such as stretchers.
In addition, the Emergency Room is required under JCHO regulations to have IV carts that lock and are fully functional including properly working drawers - an upgrade that is a necessity.
The Emergency Room at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital provides an essential community service for people unable to obtain medical care elsewhere.
2006 Awards
Breast MRI ~ $50,000
With breast cancer being so prevalent, physicians need all the tools possible to assist women with important decisions about treatment options. Breast MRI has rapidly become key to this treatment decision process. Currently in the MPM Health Care System, women must travel to Mease Countryside to receive this procedure, and the option for MRI guided biopsies does not exist.
2005 Awards
Earn As You Learn Faculty Partnership ~ $50,000
One of the greatest areas for improvement in training new nurses for our community is the availability of nursing faculty members. Through a new initiative with the University of South Florida, Morton Plant Mease Healthcare and the Morton Plant Mease Foundation have committed to provide funding for a Nursing Faculty position located at Morton Plant Mease, which began in January, 2005. The enormity of the impact of this partnership can be expressed in the number of new nursing students, 48 a year, who will now be able to access nursing school and the Dr. George Morris Earn as You Learn Program.
2004 Awards
Dr. George Morris Earn as You Learn Nursing Program ~ $25,000 
There are members of our community who wish to pursue a career in nursing, but do not have the financial means to enroll in a qualified nursing program. Through the Dr. George Morris Earn As You Learn (GMEAYL) Program, aspiring nurses are granted full scholarships for their nursing classes while gaining clinical experience through a position with Morton Plant Mease Health System. This program works in partnership with SPC, PTEC, and Pasco-Hernando Community College.
Clearwater Free Clinic ~ $25,000
The Foundation’s grant provides matching funding for a Pharmaceutical Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at the Clinic which provides for 4,000 additional primary care visits to low income, uninsured residents of upper Pinellas County. Over 19,000 courses of medication are provided to their patients which relieves some of the burden of indigent patient use on local hospitals. The Health Care System also donates over $90,000 a year in free x-rays and numerous types of lab work.
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