Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson recently distributed funds to support healthcare initiatives in Southern Arizona. According to Elizabeth Bollinger, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation, the St. Joseph Catholic Healthcare Endowment, established with over nine million dollars many years ago, has several restricted funds that provide grants for healthcare projects.

Last week, Bishop Edward Weisenburger and members of the St. Joseph Catholic Healthcare Committee joined the Catholic Foundation staff to allocate funds to various healthcare programs in the region. One of the recipients, the UMC Banner Health Burn Unit, received support to enhance clinical education and specialized equipment for burn and trauma patients in Southern Arizona.

The Dardis Fund and the Jane Robb Fund awarded scholarships to two individuals pursuing healthcare education in the Diocese of Tucson. Erson Lopez and Selena Hopkins were recognized for their dedication to nursing and audiology studies, respectively.

The St. Joseph Catholic Healthcare General Fund, the largest fund under the endowment, provided grants to organizations like Carondelet Health Network’s Holy Cross Hospital, Tucson Medical Center, and Hospice of Yuma to support healthcare services for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals.

Additionally, the Diocese of Tucson Catholic Schools received funding for a School Health Coordinator Consultant and a Counseling Consultant to enhance health and mental health services for students. Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona's Medical Respite Center also received support to aid individuals experiencing homelessness in their recovery from acute illnesses.

Bishop Weisenburger appointed the St. Joseph Catholic Healthcare Fund committee to oversee the allocation of grants within the Diocese of Tucson. The committee, comprised of various healthcare professionals and community members, ensures that the funds are used for their intended purposes.

For those interested in supporting these healthcare initiatives or establishing new endowments with the Catholic Foundation, Elizabeth Bollinger can be contacted at (520) 955-2109 or ebollinger@diocesetucson.org.