Choose to support Backus.

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Choose to support Backus.

William Wolcott Backus was a farmer, not a doctor. William Albert Slater ran textile mills, not clinics. But the generosity of these two men 113 years ago made possible the growing hospital that serves as the medical resource for more than 150,000 people today.

Philanthropy has played an important role in our community's hospital since its founding, and donors this past year have provided significant support for the future of Backus:

Kathryn Lord-Richard

Kathryn Lord - Richard

Dorothy Miller

Dorothy Miller, RN

  • Edward and Mary Lord, a well-known Norwich couple, made a $500,000 pledge for our expanded Emergency Department and Trauma Center.
  • The $250,000 bequest of Hartwell and Lois Zuerner was designated for the creation of all-new inpatient telemetry rooms on the E-4 wing.
  • This year, the Backus Hospital Auxiliary completed the second installment of its generous $600,000 five-year pledge.
  • Miss Dorothy Miller, RN,was named the recipient of the Backus Foundation's 2006 Heritage Award, honoring those who champion gifts of legacy.
  • Numerous individuals, Backus employees,members of the Medical Staff, businesses and organizations have stepped forward to lead the $5-million BackusCare capital campaign, demonstrating that they care about the future of quality healthcare in our region.

You, too, can help shape the future of The William W. Backus Hospital.Through a charitable gift, you will "Choose Backus" in a very meaningful way.And you will join many others — whose names are listed on the preceding pages — in the wise decision to advance the cause of a healthier community in eastern Connecticut.

There are many ways to assist the Foundation in advancing the mission of the hospital:

  • Capital campaign gifts support Backus Hospital's current BackusCare expansion project — the largest and most complex in the hospital's history.
  • Contributions to the Annual Fund support Backus Hospital's ongoing needs — to acquire the most advanced technology and life-saving equipment, update and maintain facilities, and support health education programs on and off the hospital campus.
  • Memorial and Tribute gifts provide a fitting way to honor individuals or their memory.Gifts help fulfill the hospital's greatest needs, or may be designated to support a specific area of care, such as Oncology, Cardiac Care,Diabetes Management, Birthing Center, Nursing Education and others.
  • Planned giving opportunities, including a bequest program, allow donors to support Backus Hospital for generations to come. These creative gifts may provide current income tax and/or estate tax advantages to the donor, as well as a source of income.
  • Gifts that establish endowed funds give long-lasting support to Backus in the form of interest income that supports the hospital's greatest needs.
  • Special events, such as the recent Founders' Ball gala and the annual golf tournament, provide social opportunities and financial support for the Foundation.
  • During the past year, the Foundation added a special program to recognize caregivers. These tribute gifts offer an opportunity for grateful patients and families to express appreciation for the outstanding care provided by a nurse, physician or other member of the Backus team.

It has been an impressive year of growth and transformation for Backus Hospital, as this Annual Report demonstrates. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Backus continues its proud tradition of progress.