Philanthropy - Final Phase of Collaboration Between the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation and the CSSS des Sommets

MONTREAL, June 26, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The de Gaspé Beaubien Family Foundation has just concluded an agreement with the CSSS des Sommets to carry out the final phase of an agreement that began in 2006. On the menu: coaching, business development between medical directors and clinical administrators, consolidation of the reception area and integration of CSSS doctors, incentive management and co-management model workshops, as well as themed workshops for physicians in leadership positions. Spread over a 12-month period, the overall objective of this final phase is to mobilize caregiver teams by implementing various aspects of a totally new co-management model.

In addition to the time and energy invested by members of the Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, a donation in the amount of $50,000 will be made to CSSS des Sommets to realize the final phase. In total, since the beginning of their collaboration in 2006, the Foundation has awarded well over $500,000 in donations to CSSS des Sommets, in addition to the multifaceted organizational support the organization has benefitted from. The benefits? There were many. Various organizational problems, mainly related to human resources, have been improved. Staff turnover has been reduced, the work environment improved, and management style greatly transformed by providing a more participatory approach. "At the Foundation, we believe our health system faces very complex challenges. We also believe that doctors need to be involved in the decision making process in collaboration with the administrators of the system. It is an essential avenue in finding solutions. It is why we are passionately engaged in building a co-management approach between doctors and administrators. We strongly believe in medical leadership and the CSSS is working in that direction," comments Dominique Monchamp, General Director of the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation

Through its "Health for everyone" outreach program, the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation chose to engage directly with a local institution, the CSSS des Sommets. With this commitment, the Foundation wanted to provide local support for the development of this highly complex environment, that is the local health system. The Foundation members are also specifically involved with the CSSS des Sommets, offering their time, management expertise and financial resources in the context of what is commonly called "venture philanthropy" or "entrepreneurial philanthropy." The first results of the project were unveiled to the public in September 2012. Meanwhile, project partner, HEC Montreal, held a conference last October about the "social guarantor" concept that was developed and applied to the project. Under this formula, the Foundation acts a partner to identify different groups of employees that have projects likely to improve the operation. It invests in these projects and is involved in their implementation so that staff is committed and able to measure progress. The social guarantor concept is based on a relationship involving the beneficiary (CSSS des Sommets), the donor (the Foundation) and an intermediary (HEC researchers) to legitimize and support the process.

The goals of the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation concerning its involvement with the CSSS des Sommets include making the health centre an attractive destination for both patients and medical staff, helping it become a centre of excellence in its field, and contributing to the overall review of its caregiving approach, by upgrading its human resources and putting the patient at the heart of all activities. All interventions and investments of the Foundation have been made in accordance with the traditions and philosophy of the organization: create a direct link with recipients, contextualize the intervention, listen respectfully, and develop an ongoing relationship and open communication.

About the de Gaspé Foundation
The de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, a private family foundation established in 1990 by Nan-B and Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien, advocates an approach of entrepreneurial philanthropy. It prefers to actively invest in promising projects that grow and become profitable, rather than offering only donations. With extensive experience in the field of business, as well as a vast network of local and international contacts, the de Gaspé Beaubien family select projects that help encourage individuals and organizations to support sustainable social development.

About the CSSS des Sommets (Centre de santé et de services sociaux des Sommets)
The CSSS des Sommets is a multi-vocational institution serving the population of the regional municipality of the Laurentians. Comprising three CLSCs, three shelters and a hospital, the CSSS offers a continuum of care and services, and access to specialized services and specialists from facilities located in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Mont Tremblant and Labelle. It provides the population with 104 acute care beds equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, as well as 217 long-term beds throughout the region, and relies on the commitment of more than 1,500 employees and physicians.

SOURCE: de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation

For further information:

Source:   
The de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation
www.fondationdegaspebeaubien.org

Contact:  
Josée Massicotte
514 388-0169
[email protected]