It’s Your Community Hospital – Local and Independent

You have probably heard how it takes a village to raise a child. But you might not know it takes a village, a community, to keep a hospital healthy and strong.

Gilli Hachey sure knows this is true. As Executive Director of the Foundation of St. Mary’s Healthcare, she sees this dynamic in action day in and day out.

“It’s a collective commitment — among all our staff  members, the volunteers, our corporate and individual donors, civic leaders — that’s what allows us to keep this excellent healthcare we have both local and independent.”

And there’s probably never been a time when making this collective effort has been more critical. Many community hospitals around the country have closed or are at risk of closing due to rising costs, low  reimbursement rates, and dwindling inpatient volumes. They also face severe workforce shortages,  cybersecurity threats, and the list goes on. While St. Mary’s is not immune to these forces and continues to face many of these same challenges, we have made progress in stabilizing our community hospital. Despite limited resources, strategic and deliberate investments in programs,  services, and our workforce have paid dividends as we work to ensure that care remains local.

That’s what makes the current portrait of St. Mary’s so inspiring for all of us living and working in the Fulton and Montgomery region. People are stepping up to meet the moment. In this past year, the hospital’s Annual Gala event saw record breaking attendance and raised $105,000 to help support urgent care and emergency services. This was a 94% percent increase from the previous year. Its Annual Golf Classic was sold out, and thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, donors, and  golfers, it raised more than $65,000 to support the education, training, and professional development of hospital employees. This was a 75% increase  from the previous year. The recent end-of- year giving campaign successfully brought together both internal and community support, generating  more than $67,250 in gifts and pledges — a 33% increase from the previous year.

“This is about people wanting to make a difference and being supportive on behalf of their families, friends and neighbors,” Gilli says. “It shows me that they see the tremendous importance of  having quality healthcare just minutes away.”

Gilli believes the generosity of people and businesses around the region also speaks to the confidence building that St. Mary’s is on the right track. “Our leadership team has vision and sound strategic thinking, and that’s becoming more and more evident to people,” she says. “The community’s participation in our fundraising events speaks for itself. Something meaningful is happening here — people want to be a part of it, and their support is essential to the future of St. Mary’s.” she says.

This confidence has also received validation as St. Mary’s has been named  a 2025 Times Union Top Workplace — the  first acute care hospital in the Capital Region to earn the distinction
since the program was launched 14 years ago. There’s also that the Daily Gazette named St. Mary’s “Best of the Best” hospital, and its Emergency Department has the lowest wait times in the Capital Region—beating state and national averages — even as demand continues to grow.

“We are building positive momentum,” Gilli says. “I know we face significant challenges, and the road ahead won’t be easy, but with the dedicated leadership we have, and the strong community support we have, I see a bright future for St. Mary’s.”

How Foundation gifts make a different at St. Mary’s Healthcare

• Investing in new equipment, materials, and supplies to enhance comfort, care, and the overall patient experience
• Assisting patients with pharmaceutical co-pays, medical transportation, and other health and safety measures
• Providing support for cancer patients receiving treatment or undergoing testing
• Funding professional development grants to help associates enhance their skills and advance their careers
• Awarding nursing scholarships to St. Mary’s registered nurses pursuing advanced degrees in nursing and nursing leadership
• Offering financial assistance for associates facing hardship to help with housing, transportation, and utilities

. . . and more!

Donate today and invest in St. Mary’s and keep quality healthcare location for generations.