Beatriz and Ed Schweitzer plant the seeds of philanthropy with Gritman Foundation leadership donation
Mrs. Beatriz and Dr. Edmund O. Schweitzer III are known for opening their hearts and nurturing friends, family, neighbors and the many communities in our region.
Gritman Medical Center is grateful to be the recipient of such generosity, most recently with a groundbreaking leadership gift of $750,000 from the Schweitzers to help a major transformation of clinical spaces take root at the hospital’s downtown campus.
The future Palouse Neurology space will expand access to patient care for services provided by Dr. Sarita Said.
The Schweitzer’s gift, made through the Gritman Foundation, will specifically support a buildout of the Palouse Specialty Physicians’ Palouse Neurology clinic on the first floor of the hospital’s medical office building. Under the guidance of Neurologist Dr. Sarita Said, the clinic offers a range of neurological diagnosis and treatment services for patients throughout the region.
“Ed and I are passionate about supporting access to medical care and perhaps in a more holistic way than is available today,” Beatriz Schweitzer said. “With this project, we hope to better understand the causes and treatments of neurological disorders and diseases, improve care close to home, and increase access to quality-of-life programs.”
“It is so important to Bea and me that the focus of health is between the doctor and patient. This model promotes less suffering, quicker cures, faster recovery from disease and treatment, and lower costs.” Dr. Schweitzer said. “We know that change begins right here at home and we are delighted to support Dr. Said through Gritman’s exciting project!”
Several of the medical office building’s interior spaces were intentionally left undeveloped upon its dedication in 2017 to serve the clinical needs of the future. That future is here, with construction of the new Palouse Neurology space, along with three other clinic spaces on the building’s first and third floors, happening in 2022. Several patient-facing Gritman departments have been operating in the building since its dedication.
“We have a critical responsibility to increase access to care in service to our patients,” Gritman President and CEO Kara Besst said. “We appreciate the trust placed in us by the Schweitzers to help advance health care on the Palouse. Their friendship, leadership and generosity is appreciated more than words can express and truly sets this project in motion.”
This exciting new chapter in our 125-year legacy demonstrates Gritman’s ongoing commitment to a healing and modern environment for patients and visitors–as well as the providers, staff and volunteers who serve the communities of our region.
This investment in lifesaving medical advancements, coupled with the compassion of our health care teams, is a fundamental part of our mission to provide exceptional care that’s close to home.
As the region’s independent, nonprofit, community-led hospital, we’re proud that funding for this transformational project is made possible entirely through Gritman’s operating revenue and the extraordinary support of philanthropists such as the Schweitzers. Gritman is not a public tax district hospital and does not receive funds through local property tax assessments.
If you are inspired to help nurture this new chapter in health care at Gritman, please contact Kara Besst at 208-883-2220 or email foundation@gritman.org.
