The Jennie Stuart Health Foundation was established in 2018, and Executive Director Sarah Francis shared how it supports the community’s healthcare needs at Tuesday’s Hopkinsville Rotary Club meeting.
Francis has served the foundation since the beginning and became the director in August 2025 following the retirement of Tracey Clark. Audrey Stewart works alongside Francis as the foundation’s donor relations and data specialist.
Francis says the mission of the foundation is to improve the local quality of life by improving access to healthcare and support for patients and employees.
Since its inception, the foundation raised around $2 million to benefit the E.C. Green Cancer Center, established the Bert and Nell Dorris Lilly Cancer Care Endowment and supports multiple funds that provide resources for patients and staff.
Francis says the Tree of Life Fund supports cancer patients by providing them with medication assistance, transportation, education resources and comfort items. Then, the Operation Love Fund provides financial support to hospital employees going through unexpected hardships.
The Care Champion Program allows patients and families to recognize employees for exceptional services, and Francis says hundreds of employees have received the title of Care Champion so far.
In October, Jennie Stuart Health merged with Deaconess Health System, and while that may come with service changes, Francis says the foundation’s mission has remained the same. The foundation is still under local leadership and Francis says all of the funds donated remain local.
More information about the foundation and ways to donate is available at jenniestuarthealth.org/foundation.