For some companies, starting a social
action committee might be a challenge,
but at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights, it comes naturally.
L. Kenneth Taylor, president and CEO,
says health care professionals inherently
understand the importance of giving back to
the community, so it isn’t hard for his organization, a not-for-profit entity, to support
other organizations.
“We feel a very special responsibility to
give back to the communities we serve, in
terms of either uncompensated care or
health education programs,” he says.
Hospital employees, physicians and volunteers raised $63,000 to support the families
of the victims of Sept. 11 and $67,000 to
assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In
addition, they give funds annually to United
Way and Community Shares.
Southwest employees also established the
Associate Angels program. Employees who
find themselves in financial straits can apply for a noninterest-bearing loan. An employee-led governance council manages these
funds, which have helped many employees,
including one who lost his home in a fire,
and another — a spousal abuse victim —
who was living in a temporary shelter and
needed money to get an apartment.
With so many people and organizations
asking for help, how does a philanthropically minded company choose which causes to
support?
“We found several years ago that we were
getting requests from everybody, and it
became very easy to say, ‘This is a personal
favorite of mine,’ when, in fact, it really was
not consistent with the mission of
Southwest General,” Taylor says. “So we put
some criteria down on paper, and that’s
what we have been following for the past
several years.”
So how does he create a culture of social
responsibility?
“It’s really a matter of identifying the people within your organization who are interested in carrying the message to their colleagues and supporting them — and it will
grow by itself,” he says.
HOW TO REACH: Southwest General Health Center, (440) 816-8650 or www.swgeneral.com