14th Annual Golf Tournament!

The Benedictine Health Foundation will host the 14th Annual Richard L. Petro Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, June 23, at Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston. A $150 registration fee includes a player gift, BBQ lunch, refreshments on the course, cocktail hour and dinner. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m., and the shotgun start (18-hole, captain and crew format) is at 12:15 p.m. Individual and team prizes will be awarded. Golf contests and raffles are held throughout the day. For further information, contact the Foundation office at (845) 334-3186 or click here,

All proceeds benefit local cancer, mental health and addition recovery services, and spiritual care programs provided by HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley® and community-based healthcare providers in Ulster County.

The Benedictine Health Foundation, Inc., has recently announced their new mission and vision following HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley’s decision to consolidate the services of Benedictine and Kingston Hospital into a single-campus model, and the formation of a HealthAlliance Foundation.

The Benedictine Health Foundation will support quality health care that improves the physical, psychological, and spiritual well being of those who are vulnerable and underserved. The Foundation will continue to support the work and presence of the Benedictine Sisters within the HealthAlliance system while expanding their legacy of compassionate care throughout Ulster County. As part of their strategic focus and grant-making, the Foundation has established three pillars of excellence: Pastoral Care and Education, Cancer Patient and Family Services including the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund, and Mental Health and Addiction Recovery.

“’Care of the sick must rank above and before all else’ is a quote from the Rule of St. Benedict,” said Sister Sharon McHugh, O.S.B, Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, N.J. “The roots of our Benedictine heritage are embedded in the mission and values of the Benedictine Health Foundation. The Sisters are grateful that the Foundation will focus their attention on these three pillars, all of which the Sisters have been strong proponents of over the years.”

Rich Gillette, President of the Benedictine Health Foundation, said the Foundation’s vision is to be a leading investor and partner in its community.

“We are excited about our future, and look forward to a continued partnership with our donors, hospitals, pastoral care providers, and others who are sensitive to the needs for quality and compassionate healthcare,” Gillette said.

Sister Mary Feehan, O.S.B. will continue in her role as Chairperson of the Foundation Board of Directors. Officers of the Board are Richard H. Gillette, Board President, Rick McColgan, First Vice President, Julie H. Krieger, Second Vice President, Bernard A. Feeney, III, Treasurer, and Daniel J. Gruner, Secretary.

“We look forward to working closely with the Benedictine Health Foundation in meeting the healthcare needs of our community,” said David Lundquist, President and CEO of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley. “Their newly defined mission will provide much needed support to those in our community suffering from mental health and cancer related health issues.”

“The Benedictine Health Foundation will continue the tradition started many years ago to provide financial support for the health care needs of our community,” said Kevin Ryan, Chairman of the HealthAlliance Board of Directors. “The community will benefit from a coordinated effort between the HealthAlliance Foundation and the Benedictine Health Foundation to broaden their reach while focusing on these three critical pillars of their Mission.”

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Since our last correspondence to you in February, HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley continues to work through the strategic planning process to consolidate the services of their Hospitals located on Mary’s Avenue and Broadway in Kingston into a single-campus model. The purpose of this transformation is to realign and strengthen HealthAlliance to better serve the community. As part of this transition, the structure, mission, and name of Benedictine Hospital has now changed to HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, Mary’s Avenue Campus.

The Benedictine Health Foundation has recently completed a comprehensive organizational assessment, and our Board of Directors has voted to revitalize our mission and establish a new vision for the future. We will continue to support the work and presence of the Benedictine Sisters within the HealthAlliance system while expanding their legacy of compassionate care throughout Ulster County. As part of our strategic focus and grant-making, moving forward we have established three pillars of excellence:

• Pastoral Care and Education
• Cancer Patient and Family Services including the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund
• Mental Health and Addiction Recovery

We ask that you please review the attached brochure that provides information about our new Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Focus. The Benedictine Health Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors will continue to raise funds through our annual appeal and our special events (Bike for Cancer Care, Sample, Sip and Savor, the annual Gala and Golf Tournament). Our Foundation is committed to ensure that every dollar we receive is spent in accordance with the donor’s wishes and to effectively address the health care needs of our community.

We are excited about our future, and look forward to a continued partnership with you, our hospitals, pastoral care providers, and others who are sensitive to the needs for quality and compassionate health care. Philanthropy plays a key role in our work. Your contributions, large or small, have value in advancing the Mission of the Benedictine Health Foundation to create a healthier community for us all. Every gift is an act of generosity, and we thank you for your past and future commitment to our success.

If you have further questions, please contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 334-3186, or via email at BKlassen@benedictinehealthfoundation.org.

With our sincere gratitude,

Richard H. Gillette, President

Barbara Klassen, Executive Director