Summer can be the most active time of year for many of us. Whether we’re trying to keep up with kids home from school or we’re enjoying the outdoors, summer is also a season for remembering community health. At the Foundation, Health’s Angels members volunteer at the Family Eldercare Fan Drive, and our grants support agencies like the YMCA, providing summer camps to keep kids healthy and active.

However you spend your summer, it’s most important to stay healthy yourself.

Earl Maxwell, CEO
St. David's Foundation

The Foundation awarded $3.85 million in grants this June to 24 area nonprofit organizations that provide mental health services and that support healthy lifestyles for Central Texans. To mark the occasion, the Foundation presented a ceremonial check to the Austin Child Guidance Center on Thursday, June 24. “Prevention of future health problems is a growing area of concern, and the Foundation is pleased to take an active role in helping to build healthy futures for our community, as well,” said Bobbie Barker, Vice-President of Grants and Community Programs. Click here [ http://stdavidsfoundation.org/downloads/sdf_aas_article.pdf ] to see a recent Statesman article featuring the Foundation.

Toast of the Town 2010 is a wrap! With 20 parties and $628,000 raised from sponsors, guests, and a match from St. David’s Foundation Community Fund, this was Toast’s most impressive performance to date. The proceeds of Toast 2010 will make it possible for 57 new exemplary Central Texas students to pursue health-related careers with a St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship this fall. Thank you to Toast Chair Cindy Busby, Vice Chair Wendy Kratzer, pictured at right, and all the hosts, sponsors, and volunteers whose commitment makes these scholarships possible.

The Foundation welcomes Roberto Rodriguez, MD, MPH, FAAP, as Senior Program Officer for Healthy Futures and Healthy Living. Dr. Rodriguez is a pediatrician who has practiced in Austin for the past four years, serving as a faculty member for the pediatric residency program at Dell Children's Medical Center and supervising pediatric residents at East Austin Community Health Clinic. He also has a strong foundation in public health and health services research, having completed the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program after his residency training. A Healthy Futures subcommittee will be established this fall, focusing on providing funds for research initiatives as well as health care workforce development and educational opportunities.

Health's Angels volunteers raised $3,100 for the Family Eldercare Fan Drive in June. All funds are used to purchase fans and air conditioners; Health’s Angels’ contribution alone resulted in more than 200 fans for Central Texans. The fans provide relief for low income older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children who cannot afford air conditioning during the intense summer heat. Health's Angels Chair B.J. Gerstner presented Family Eldercare with the donation live on KGSR.

Dr. Ensy Atarod, a dentist with the St. David's Dental Program, has been selected to participate in the American Dental Association's Institute for Diversity in Leadership, an elite national program accepting only 12 dentists each year. Participants learn key concepts in leadership, including: defining leadership, creating vision, leading effective teams transparently, negotiations and conflict management, decision making, and effective presentations from faculty of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

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