CommonSpirit Health Foundation Spotlight

CommonSpirit Health Foundation’s Humankindness Gala advances health justice and amplifies Humankindness

CHICAGO, Ill (May 18, 2023) – CommonSpirit Health Foundation welcomed 350 gala attendees to celebrate kindness, resilience and the important work being undertaken in the field of health justice. The gala raised nearly $1.7 million to support advancing health justice and amplifying humankindness.

Chaired by foundation board members Jed York, Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco 49ers, and Kristi Yamaguchi, professional skater, Olympian and Founder of Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream, the Humankindness Gala welcomed attendees into an immersive experience that included celebrated speakers, whimsical entertainment and a fun-filled evening. Most importantly, the gala united some of the most influential leaders in health care to support health justice, with a focus on behavioral health.

“I have invested over 10 years in time and financial support with CommonSpirit Health Foundation because I believe in a more just world that we are working to create,” says York. “A world that gives everyone the ability to live their healthiest possible lives, with the dignity that each of us deserve.”

In helping to open the event, San Francisco Mayor London Breed proclaimed May 18, 2023 as “Humankindness Day” in the city and county of San Francisco. This recognition celebrates the profound contributions of CommonSpirit to the San Francisco community and to the physical and mental health of San Franciscans.

The evening's fund-a-need benefitted CommonSpirit’s behavioral health initiatives across the ministry in order to prompt conversation, reduce stigma and increase access to care.

“When the community and our donors step forward to support important initiatives like our behavioral health programs, they help CommonSpirit deliver on its vision to create a healthier, more equitable world for everyone,” says Wright Lassiter III, Chief Executive Officer of CommonSpirit Health.

About CommonSpirit Health
CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care and ensuring every person has access to quality health care. With its national office in Chicago and a team of approximately 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit Health operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across 21 states. Learn more at CommonSpirit.org.

About CommonSpirit Health Foundation
CommonSpirit Health Foundation is making the promise of health justice a reality across the country by funding pioneering programs that ensure greater access, create community partnerships and advocate for the underserved and most vulnerable. The foundation inspires investments and donations from individuals, private foundations, corporate foundations and other entities — to support programs and initiatives that enable all people to be healthy and safe. Learn more at CommonSpiritHealthPhilanthropy.org/Foundation.

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