St. John's Hospital Foundation enthusiastically affirms support for the New Sage Living at St. John's Health

On Monday, June 10 at the St. John’s Hospital Foundation meeting, the Board unanimously voted to raise the goal for the capital campaign for the new Sage Living Project—A New Home for a New Age—to $19 million.

According to John Goettler, Foundation President, “The higher goal addresses the increase of the overall budget to $45.1 million due to the increased project scope. The project budget is now firmly set by a Guaranteed Maximum Price contract between the St. John’s Medical Center board of trustees and construction manager GE Johnson."

In May 2017, Teton County voters approved a Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) in the amount of $17 million to support the projected $35 million construction costs of the proposed facility. The St. John’s Medical Center Board of Trustees and the St. John’s Hospital Foundation each agreed to contribute $9 million toward the facility.

Since then a comprehensive demographic study along with community surveys and town hall meetings demonstrated the need to increase the scope and services offered in the new Living Center. Now called Sage Living, the building will accommodate 72 residents instead of 60, including memory care and rehabilitation wings and has added substantial community space to enhance time that residents spend with their visiting families. The facility also has the capacity to care for hospice patients in private settings that include space for families.

According to Ed Liebzeit, Chair of the Sage Living Campaign Steering Committee, “The community has embraced this project from the start. With their SPET vote in 2017, the people of Teton County contributed the lead gift of $17 million to the fundraising campaign. With that resounding endorsement, along with pacesetting financial support from lead donors, the Foundation board, Medical Center trustees, and so many generous community donors, we’ve been able to plan for a living community that will reflect the care and respect we all have for Jackson Hole’s seniors.”

A New Home for a New Age capital campaign began in September 2017 with contributions and matching funds from Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charity. St. John’s Medical Center employees affirmed their support during the I CARE employee giving campaign. Foundation Board members have each generously pledged multi-year contributions. Finally, the Leadership Gifts Phase of the campaign has secured numerous gifts and pledges in support of the campaign.

“The Foundation is confident that we can raise our goal to $19 million as we celebrate the start of construction on the new Sage Living. “ said Goettler. “Thanks to the generosity of our private donors, we will not be going back to the voters to support the increased scope of the project. The interest in the campaign and the project has been exciting to witness, and I’m humbled by the generosity of this community.”

Following the vote on Monday, St. John’s Hospital Foundation chair, Bill Best commented, “We are fortunate to live in a community that cares for seniors. The leadership at St. John’s envisions a better future for seniors—and their families—in this beautiful valley. Families are working hard to stay together, to care for loved ones, to help them remain engaged members of our community, no matter the challenges of aging. Sage Living will make that possible offering greater personal privacy, a more spacious and home-like environment, and more life-enriching amenities. St. John’s Hospital Foundation is honored to be a partner in this important addition to our community.”

The Foundation is launching the community phase of the campaign this summer and fall with a series of community receptions to unveil plans for the new Sage Living. We welcome all to attend and learn more about this exceptional community asset. Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for July 18^th. For more information, please visit www.stjohnshospitalfoundation.org or call John Goettler at 307/739-7516.