Since the earliest days of American culture, charity and charitable organizations have met the health, educational and social needs of our people -- not exclusively, but certainly in great measure and with great success.

A core element of the American health care system -- the physician -- has traditionally been, however, an independent "for profit" business person. Even most of the large medical groups were and many remain businesses that distribute their profits to their owners.

We, as an organization, believe very strongly that profit earned in a business enterprise is a commendable achievement. However, in a health care environment, that margin could be put to its best use as capital that improves health care services and provides the very best programs for you and your family.

As health care resources are more and more restrained, philanthropy becomes even more important than in the past in assuring the quality of care you and your family deserve and expect from institutions like Palo Alto Medical Foundation, which includes Santa Cruz Medical Foundation, Sutter Maternitiy and Surgery Center, and VNA of Santa Cruz. Advances in technology, improvements in facilities, continued medical research, and the development of programs and services that preserve and protect your health are all supported to a great extent by charitable gifts.

If you want to know more about our not-for-profit status and why we believe we best serve your health needs as a community service, please talk to your doctor or call the Office of Philanthropy for more information at 831-458-5810. We are very proud of our mission and the benefits that mission offers the communities we serve. Your help, through your gifts and your interest and advocacy, are extremely important in our success.

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