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May 06, 2020

University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center has received a $12,000 grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation, part of a nearly $170,000 gift to the University of Maryland Medical System for its acute-care hospitals and freestanding medical facilities that are engaged in the COVID-19 response. The funds will be used by individual hospital foundations to support a variety of projects and initiatives related to COVID-19, including employee and patient assistance, meals for the community, personal protective equipment (PPE) and mental health care resources.

"This gift from the Nora Roberts Foundation will be felt across our entire University of Maryland Medical System and the communities we serve and will support our efforts as we continue to respond to the unprecedented COVID-19 challenge. We are incredibly grateful for their support and generosity," said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of University of Maryland Medical System.

"This kind donation is a tremendous blessing to the front-line caregivers and support teams right here at the hospital," added UM St. Joseph Medical Center President and CEO Thomas B. Smyth, MD. "Their generosity will help save lives."

"Supporting the work of front-line caregivers and hospitals is crucial to our community's health," said Amanda Tinkler, Vice President and Executive Director of the UM St. Joseph Foundation. "The Nora Roberts Foundation's generous gift further enables our hospital and our health system to stand ready to care for the health and well-being of patients, neighbors and staff members throughout the COVID-19 crisis."

A statement from the Nora Roberts Foundation Board:

"Our sincere thanks to all essential workers, to everyone keeping us safe and fed. We're so grateful to everyone who's staying home, for putting responsibility to your community over your own wants and needs. And we're grateful beyond words to the hospital workers, the doctors, nurses, specialists, cooks, cleaners, maintenance workers, and all those who show up every day, despite the risks. We're humbled by your willingness to put yourselves in harm's way to care for the sick, to save lives, and to be witness to the final moments of those who can't be saved. You're more than heroes, more than the front line. You're children, siblings, parents, and friends. You're human, and you, individually, matter."

"Philanthropy is a powerful resource, especially during this crisis," added Janice Eisele, Senior Vice President of Development for the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation. "We are so very grateful to the Nora Roberts Foundation for shifting their focus and prioritizing the immense needs brought on by COVID-19. Their support will benefit our patients, our workforce and our communities throughout Maryland."

Established in 2001 by Nora Roberts, a successful businesswoman and best-selling author, The Nora Roberts Foundation serves as an avenue of support for organizations promoting and encouraging literacy, children's programs, the arts and humanitarian efforts. These areas, particularly important to her and her family, traditionally serve as the foundation's focus.

More information about the UMMS response to the global pandemic can be found on our dedicated COVID-19 information webpage, umms.org/coronavirus.

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About UM St. Joseph Medical Center

UM St. Joseph Medical Center (UM SJMC), founded in 1864 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is a 218-bed Catholic, not-for-profit regional medical center in Towson, Maryland. A member of the 13-hospital University of Maryland Medical System, UM SJMC is located in suburban Baltimore County, and offers a wide

range of superb clinical programs and centers of excellence, including the Cancer, Heart and Orthopaedic Institutes, Women and Children's services and Emergency Medicine. Our mission: To provide loving service and compassionate, leading-edge care to all. For more information, visit umstjoseph.org.

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