LAFAYETTE, Indiana – The Franciscan Health Foundation Circle of 1875, women’s giving initiative, is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Lafayette this fall.

The Circle of 1875, which is named for the year the first Franciscan hospital was opened in Lafayette, is a charitable program that provides an opportunity for women who want to make a difference in Franciscan’s healthcare community. 

Since its creation in 2019, the Circle of 1875 has provided more than $200,000 to fund capital or programmatic needs at the Franciscan Health Lafayette campuses.

“Thank you to all of the women who have been a part of the Circle of 1875 for the entire five years since we started and those who continue to join,” said Sandy Howarth, executive director Franciscan Health Foundation, Western Indiana. “We are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish so far and look forward to growing our membership and resources to support our community hospital. Through the Circle of 1875, women have the opportunity to directly impact healthcare in our community.”

In 2019, the first project that the Circle of 1875 provided funds for in Lafayette was a Bioness Integrated Therapy System (BITS). The system features an interactive touch screen therapy device to improve hand-eye coordination, reaction time, depth perception and working memory for patients with a variety of neurological conditions.

“Introducing the BITS system into our rehabilitation services has been a game-changer for our young and aged patient population,” said Adam Ewald, occupational therapist, Franciscan Health, Western Indiana. “This advanced technology has enabled our patients to regain their ability to engage in meaningful occupations such as sports, driving, cooking, cleaning, and enjoying community outings with friends and family. It is used daily in our practice and has become an indispensable part of our therapeutic toolkit. 

“The support from the Circle of 1875 has truly made a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve, enabling them to achieve their rehabilitation goals and enhance their quality of life.”

Additional projects over the last few years the Circle of 1875 has initiated, include the purchase of a Body Interact table for the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, Angel Eye Cameras for the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Lafayette, a Stryker Power Cot for the NICU and the new Cancer Center, a Moleculight device for the wound care department, a high-fidelity simulation baby, virtual nursing software and kits for the Stop the Bleed program.

The Circle of 1875 meets twice a year for gift planning assessments, financial and project updates, socialization and networking opportunities. The annual voting meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Lafayette. At this time, the fifth anniversary of the group will be celebrated.

For more information on how to join the Circle of 1875, contact Sandy Howarth at Sandra.Howarth@FranciscanAlliance.org or call 765-423-6809.

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Email: Tony.Veneziano@FranciscanAlliance.org