J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Awards $1.5 Million to Mercy

ROGERS, Ark. (July 30, 2004) – The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc., located in Tulsa, OK has awarded a $1.5 million challenge grant to Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas’ capital campaign to transform healthcare. The Mabee Foundation has for many years been a leading supporter of philanthropic initiatives throughout the south central region of the country.

"The trustees feel a keen sense of responsibility in making grants such as this one," said John Conway, Jr., vice chairman. "We like to give to non-profits which combine sound character and stability with progressiveness and purpose, and we feel Mercy fits this mission perfectly."

"We are extremely grateful to the Mabee Foundation for helping Mercy transform the way we provide healthcare", said Susan Barrett, CEO of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. "Because of the commitment they have shown, we will be naming the Intensive Care Unit at the new campus in honor of the Mabee Foundation."

Executive Director of Development, Clark Ellison, expressed gratitude that “the Mabee Foundation will help provide even more momentum for the ongoing capital campaign. The Trustees and advisors were great to work with. They are very dedicated to their work and I’m humbled they have chosen our project to support.”

With a July 2007 anticipated opening, the Mercy medical campus will be funded through operational gains, investments and reinvestments totaling $100 million and a major capital fund-raising campaign.

Carmen Lehman, Campaign Cabinet Chair explained, “We are delighted about this grant and hope that its issuance will provide incentive for enlisting the support of other donors. I am thankful for the Trustees of the Mabee Foundation, for their ability to recognize what an extraordinary project this is.”

Mercy's 21st century medical campus will be anchored by a 350,000-square-foot medical center with 200 beds and emergency services. The campus will include care in cardiology, orthopedics, neurological, and outpatient services. A medical office building to accommodate 90 physicians will complete the campus.