Categories
News Archives

Launch of CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care

Local philanthropist Darlene Shiley invests in CSUSM Institute model

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Sept. 20, 2012  A surprise $1.2 million gift from local philanthropist Darlene Shiley highlighted today’s launch of the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care at California State University San Marcos in North San Diego County.

“I am so pleased to support a program that will ultimately benefit others the way I have been personally helped. My late husband’s experience with hospice and palliative care made me realize how specialized and important the field of palliative care is today and the growing need for such care in the future,” said Shiley. “Cal State San Marcos is taking on a project that is smart, compassionate and greatly needed.

The CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care at CSUSM will address the critical shortage of nursing, social work, spiritual and other professionals with palliative care skills and training. It will also educate the public about the value of palliative care and how to access it.

“We are very pleased to be giving this important Institute its start here at Cal State San Marcos and to begin addressing this critical workforce need in not only our region but the state and nation as well,” said CSUSM President Karen Haynes. “This gift from Darlene will help accelerate our efforts and we are extremely appreciative of her support.

Palliative care improves quality of life for individuals facing serious illness and their families — whatever the prognosis. It prevents and relieves suffering by addressing pain as well as the physical, emotional, psycho-social and spiritual challenges associated with serious and chronic conditions. Palliative care uses an interdisciplinary team approach to help patients and their families. Teams typically include a physician, nurse, social worker, pharmacist, chaplain and others as needed.

Launched by the largest higher-education system in the U.S., the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care will create a model at CSUSM that can be replicated at any of the other 23 campuses across the CSU system, as well as other campuses across the country. It will offer continuing education courses for working professionals, academic curriculum for today’s students and programs to support palliative care awareness in the community.

“More people than ever before are living with one or more chronic conditions, and while palliative care can do so much to help, its role and benefits are not well understood. Mrs. Shiley’s gift is a wonderful, exciting surprise! Her support will enable us to proceed even more quickly in educating health care professionals and our community,” said CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care Executive Director, Helen McNeal.

In addition to the $1.2 million gift from Shiley, the Institute has also received initial grant funding of a combined $1.2 million over three years from the Archstone Foundation and the California HealthCare Foundation.

To learn more about the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care, visit www.csupalliativecare.org.

About CSUSM

CSUSM was selected as the home of the Institute based on its history of innovation, successful continuing education programs, community engagement and mix of academic disciplines. Since its founding over two decades ago, California State University San Marcos has prided itself on being fully engaged in the community, technologically sophisticated, and dedicated to teaching future generations through a relevant curriculum with a global perspective. Currently, more than 10,000 students attend the 304-acre campus, located in the foothills of northern San Diego County.

About Archstone Foundation

The Archstone Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation whose mission is to contribute towards the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging population. The Foundation’s funding priorities seek to address emerging issues within the field of aging. On the web at www.archstone.org.

About California HealthCare Foundation

The California HealthCare Foundation works as a catalyst to fulfill the promise of better health care for all Californians. The Foundation supports ideas and innovations that improve quality, increase efficiency, and lower the costs of care. On the web at www.chcf.org.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *