Mercy Health Foundation’s Schultis to Retire Jan. 1

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio– James P. Schultis, president of Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, will retire from the organization effective Jan. 1, the foundation announced this morning.

Schultis has been with Mercy Health Foundation, formerly HMHP Foundation, eight years. In that time, he spearheaded community support and fundraising for construction of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, an $8 million project, greatly expanded Mercy Health Youngstown’s community outreach programs, tripled the number of donors supporting the foundation’s mission, and increased funds raised each year to between $3.5 and $3.8 million.

Describing the years he’s been with Mercy Health, formerly Humility of Mary Health Partners, as some of the happiest in his life, Schultis said, “I have never worked with such excellent professionals and wonderful people. I am proud of what the foundation has accomplished over that time. But, I give all the credit for our accomplishments to a number of people that I have been honored to work with. First, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary whose footsteps we try to follow.”

Schultis went on to credit and thank Bob Shroder, president and CEO of Mercy Health Youngstown, the foundation board of directors, the senior leadership team at Mercy Health Youngstown and his staff who, he said, “make me look good.”

In keeping with the mission of the Mercy Health Foundation, Schultis added, “I sincerely want even greater success for the foundation in the future. Those who are poor and underserved are relying on us to help.”

His retirement will occur one month before the president and CEO of Mercy Health Youngstown, Robert Shroder, plans to retire in February. Shroder announced his retirement July 24. No successor has been named for either executive.

Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley raises and allocates funds to support the healthcare ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, improving access to care for those who are poor and underserved, and improving the health of the community.

Schultis’ crowning achievement, the foundation says, is the development of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, which provides the most advanced breast diagnostic services available anywhere and is one of only two health-care providers in Ohio to offer molecular breast imaging services.

Under his leadership, the Joanie’s Promise Fund, which ensures that every Mahoning Valley resident in need of diagnostic breast services has access regardless of ability to pay, was established. Joanie’s Promise Fund benefits from the Panerathon, now in its sixth year, the largest single fundraising event in the region. Since its inception, Panerathon has raised more than $1.3 million.

Among the Mercy Health community outreach programs that have expanded under Schultis’ direction are the Resource Mothers programs, which provide guidance and support to pregnant women and new mothers, community fitness and education programs, oral health programs provided through the Smile Station, a mobile dental office, nutrition programs and sponsorship of a community test kitchen where underprivileged families learn to prepare healthful meals.

Community awareness of the Mercy Health Foundation has grown substantially under Schultis’ guidance with some 10,000 area residents taking part in Panerathon this year alone, thousands more providing financial support for a wide range of projects, and a board of directors that represents a cross section of the community’s most influential leaders.

Source: Mercy Health Foundation.

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