Generations of Care

The United States is in the throes of a nursing shortage that will only worsen as our population ages and health care demands increase. In November 2007, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2016 – an increase of 23.5 percent over current staffing levels.

Today, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) is taking steps to alleviate this crisis, thanks to the generosity of donor Blair Stratford and the foresight of her longtime friend, Dr. Richard Babb. In 2007, Blair, known to her friends as "Midge," decided she wanted to make a gift to PAMF to honor Dr. Babb, an internist and gastroenterologist at the Palo Alto Clinic since 1967. "Dick is the epitome of what a terrific doctor should be," she said. "He's very caring and a great listener. With Dick, it's not just one moment, it's his continual attention. I am so grateful for everything he has done for my family."

In fact, five generations of Blair's family have received care from PAMF since 1946, and three generations have been patients of Dr. Babb since 1967. Today, Blair has three children and eight grandchildren, and still carries on the traditions she learned growing up in a family that recognized the value of community philanthropy. "I've given to the Palo Alto Clinic for years, and I'll give to them forever," she said.

Blair asked Dr. Babb how he would like to see her gift used and, after careful consideration, he came up with the idea of a Nursing Education Scholarship Fund. Dr. Babb presented the idea to Theresa Manley, R.N., director of clinical operations at PAMF, and she loved it.

Over the next several months, a Nursing Education Scholarship Committee was formed to study similar programs and develop program guidelines. To ensure the best use of funds, each applicant was required to have completed at least one semester at an accredited nursing school and be currently employed at one of PAMF's locations in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda or Santa Cruz county. "It was so wonderful to interview these applicants," said Theresa. "They all work so hard, often under financial stress, and they were so grateful for the opportunity to apply."

The names of the first five Nursing Education Scholarship recipients were announced at PAMF's annual Clinical Caregiver’s Day on May 15, 2008. "The fact that this scholarship was made possible by a gift from a donor to honor her physician touched everyone very deeply," said Theresa. Dr. Babb concurred. "Nurses are so fundamental to the health care process, and anything we can do to make their work more rewarding is great," he said. "It's good for the nurses, good for the doctors, and even better for our patients."

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