Oswego Health Employees Raise More Than $78,000 to Support Patient Comfort and Care
Contact: Jamie Leszczynski
Oswego Health employees once again demonstrated their commitment to the mission of their nonprofit healthcare system by raising over $78,000 through the annual Employee Giving Campaign. A total of 492 employees participated, exceeding the participation goal of 375 employees and surpassing last year’s fundraising total—highlighting the continued generosity and engagement of the Oswego Health team.
Funds raised through the 2025 employee campaign directly supported initiatives focused on enhancing patient comfort and experience, including:
- Outdoor Seating Area at the Fulton Medical Center – creating a calming and welcoming space for patients and families
- Holiday Gifts for Patients – bringing joy and comfort to patients spending the holidays in Oswego Health facilities
- Ear Plugs for Patients – helping reduce noise disruptions during first-floor construction
One of the most visible and heartfelt outcomes of the campaign was the distribution of holiday gift bags to patients during the week of Christmas. The response from patients and care teams alike was overwhelmingly positive.
“The mental health patients absolutely loved their Christmas goody bags,” said Liz Rice, MSN, BSN, RN, Director at Lobdell Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Lakeview. “The small touches—coloring books, word searches, playing cards—made them feel remembered, appreciated, and cared for during the holidays.”
Staff across inpatient units echoed that sentiment. Cheryl Stilwell, BSN, RN, Executive Director of Nursing shared that patients were “so surprised and grateful” for the gifts. “It was a great idea and another great example of what we do for our patients as an organization,” she said.
According to Jen Fassano, MBA, MSN, RN, Director of the Emergency Department, the gifts were easy for staff to distribute and deeply appreciated by patients. “Patients were very thankful for the sentiment,” she noted. “It was clear how much these small acts of kindness meant.”
Oswego Health leadership expressed gratitude to every employee who participated, emphasizing that employee giving plays a critical role in enhancing patient-centered care beyond traditional clinical services.
“Every dollar raised through this campaign stays right here at Oswego Health, directly benefiting our patients and families,” said Executive Director of the Oswego Health Foundation, Margaret Barclay. “The generosity of our employees—both in participation and spirit—reflects the heart of our organization.”
Oswego Health remains committed to advancing compassionate, community-focused care, made possible in part through the dedication and generosity of its employees.