Lisa Gibson has spent the last 16 years helping feed patients, families and health care workers.
Now the senior director of facilities at Sanford Fargo, Gibson has spent much of her career in food service. She even helped create the vision for the restaurant-style dining in the Sanford Medical Center Fargo and Sanford Broadway Medical Center.
Not only has Gibson dedicated her career to caring for our Sanford Family, but she also has donated more than $10,000 to the Sanford Health Foundation. She started out giving $25 per pay period and over time reached this amazing milestone.
We caught up with Gibson to ask a few questions about what giving means to her.
What inspired you to work in health care?
“Health care just really felt like home to me. I started my career in university food service and joined Sanford 16 years ago. It’s been a great experience. I think for a lot of people, it’s a calling. It’s so incredibly meaningful to support people when they are the most vulnerable and help them in any way that you can.”
Why give back through the Sanford Health Foundation?
“You’re able to choose where your money goes. That’s huge because you want to support the things you are personally passionate about.”
Do you have a personal story that inspires your giving?
“I’ve had family members and close friends be healed at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, so I started out giving there to support the overall care and assist patients with costs not covered by insurance.
“Then last year, I created an endowment for the Sanford Fargo Hospice House. My donation will be invested, and the interest will go to support hospice for years to come. I want to see this service grow and meet the needs of those in our community.
“There have been so many people in my life who went through end-of-life care with their loved ones. I know not everyone can go home for hospice care, and a lot of people don’t have the ability to care for their loved one full-time. It’s incredibly important for family members to know that their loved one is being cared for by compassionate people in a home-like environment.”
When have you seen the difference your support makes?
“I started giving just $25 a pay period and over the years, increased my giving as I progressed in my career. I was shocked when the Foundation called to tell me that my giving had grown to more than $10,000. I was over-the-top excited to see how every paycheck added up. I know I’ve helped countless people, and that just makes me super excited and so proud.”
Why should other members of the Sanford Family give back?
“Health care is a calling. We all want to help improve local health care and better serve our patients and families. Through giving, you can provide hope no matter where you are, no matter what your talents are, no matter the dollar amount.
“The amount doesn’t matter. Look at how my $25 per pay period added up over time. It’s the action that really matters. Your $5 couples with someone else’s $5 and becomes $10.”
About the Sanford Health Foundation
The Foundation team works across the Sanford Health footprint inspire generosity and connect people to Sanford’s mission. 100% of every dollar raised stays local, supporting medical research and compassionate care delivered through Sanford Health.
More than 21,000 donors give to Foundation each year, including community members, businesses and Sanford employees. Their generosity reflects a strong belief in Sanford’s mission to bring health, healing and comfort to the communities it serves.
To learn more, visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org/giveback.
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Posted In Fargo, Foundation, Non-Clinical Support Services, Sanford Stories
