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Foundation launches the Dr. Ramiro Fernandez Physician Leadership Group

Named in honor of the revered physician who partnered with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange to build the original St. Jude Hospital for the community, the Dr. Ramiro Fernandez Physician Leadership Group provides a platform for collaboration and collective action.

The group consists of 33 Providence St. Jude Medical Center physicians who, in addition to providing excellent care to their patients, are deeply engaged in enhancing care for all patients. The Dr. Ramiro Fernandez Physician Leadership Group partners with the Providence St. Jude Memorial Foundation to identify ways in which philanthropy can advance care across various departments within the medical center.

“The purpose of the group is to create a community of physicians who understand the power of philanthropy and are committed to partnering with the foundation to transform care,” says David Park, M.D., group chair and medical director of the Providence St. Jude Crosson Cancer Institute. “Together with our clinical and foundation colleagues, we will identify meaningful projects, help develop fundraising opportunities and strategically maximize the impact of philanthropy.”

Essential partners

As champions of philanthropy, the physician members of the Dr. Ramiro Fernandez Physician Leadership Group will work to educate their colleagues on the benefits of philanthropic support and how to collaborate with the foundation.

“Philanthropy makes the difference between good and exceptional — our physicians have a key role to play,” says Nikolai Bildzukewicz, M.D.,  co-chair, Dr. Ramiro Fernandez Physician Leadership Group, and director, foregut surgery. “We know grateful patients want to make a difference and, in many cases, giving is part of their healing. Our physicians are important links between patients and the foundation.”

Members of the group will partner with the foundation in other ways as well, including sharing their expertise to educate our supporters, participating in foundation events as speakers and honored guests, and spreading a culture of philanthropy.

“The commitment of the Dr. Ramiro Fernandez Physician Leadership Group is incredibly important to advancing health care at Providence St. Jude,” says Chief Philanthropy Officer Dub Drees. “We are grateful for their volunteer leadership and deeply appreciate their commitment to our hospital, our patients and our community.”