INTEGRIS Health Caregivers Spark $830,000 in Giving During 15th Annual YOU&I Campaign
Every great act of generosity begins with a single decision to give. This spring, that decision was made more than 3,000 times — and the result was transformative.
INTEGRIS Health Caregivers at INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center Holding Passion Bubbles Representing the Projects They Support Through the YOU&I Annual Giving Campaign.
In April, the INTEGRIS Health Foundation launched its 15th YOU&I Annual Giving Campaign, inviting caregivers across INTEGRIS Health to give back to the patients and communities they serve every day. This year's theme, Spark, captured the spirit of the campaign perfectly: one act of generosity can ignite life-changing impact.
$830,000 Raised. 21 Projects Funded. Thousands of Lives Changed.
Over the course of 26 days, more than 3,000 INTEGRIS Health caregivers contributed more than $640,000 to fund 21 projects spanning hospitals and care settings across Oklahoma. Thanks to the generous matching support of INTEGRIS Health Volunteer Auxiliaries representing eight hospitals, that impact was amplified by an additional $190,000 in matched gifts — bringing the campaign total to more than $830,000.
The projects funded this year reflect the full spectrum of patient and caregiver need: from upgrading pediatric play spaces for children whose family members are receiving inpatient care, to funding cold cap therapy that helps cancer patients retain their hair during treatment. Other supported initiatives include patient assistance funds, lactation room enhancements for nursing parents, and emergency department waiting room improvements — all guided by the people who know these needs best.
Led by Caregivers. Driven by Purpose.
The YOU&I Annual Giving Campaign is an employee-led initiative from start to finish. Each of the 21 funded projects is created and championed by someone who works in a clinical setting — caregivers with firsthand knowledge of the emerging needs in their areas of care. These fund champions don't just identify what's missing; they advocate for the people and resources that will make the greatest difference.
The Foundation asks caregivers to consider donating $5 per pay period for one year — and most who give, accept that challenge. Many choose to double or triple that amount. This year, executive participation reached a record high, with 94% of INTEGRIS Health executives giving an average of more than $1,100 each.
"The YOU&I Annual Giving Campaign is critical to the work we do at the INTEGRIS Health Foundation," said Ashley Wilson, president of the INTEGRIS Health Foundation. "Our caregivers continue to demonstrate their passion to go above and beyond to improve the lives of their patients as well as their peers. We are constantly amazed by their generosity and the fact that they don't just work here, they give here."
A Look at What Your Generosity Made Possible
From Oklahoma City to Woodward, Grove to Ponca City, caregiver contributions reached across the INTEGRIS Health system. All 21 funded projects were nominated and championed by caregivers working directly in those areas of care. Among the projects supported this year:
Cold Cap Therapy (Cancer) – Cooling caps that help reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss, improving comfort, confidence, and overall experience for 100+ patients annually.
Pediatric Play Space Upgrade (Children's) – Renovated communal areas with interactive play walls and therapeutic décor supporting development and engagement for more than 4,500 children each year.
Lactation Room Upgrades (Baptist) – Cleaner, more comfortable lactation rooms at Baptist and Portland Avenue to support caregivers and visitors who need to pump or breastfeed while on campus.
Dopplers & Vein Finders (Burn) – Tools that help caregivers monitor blood flow and locate veins for burn patients, improving IV access and reducing the risk of complications for 200+ patients annually.
Patient Support Fund (Care Coordination) – Urgent support covering medications, transportation, housing, and food for uninsured and high-need patients, helping reduce avoidable ER visits and hospitalizations.
Chronic Disease Supplies (Heart) – Blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, and scales for patients managing hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure to support self-monitoring at home.
Stroke Discharge Bags – Bags containing stroke education materials and essential recovery tools — including a blood pressure cuff and stress ball — for 1,000+ patients annually.
Mental Health Playground Shade & Safety – Durable shade structures and a gazebo making outdoor play spaces usable during Oklahoma summers for child and adolescent patients.
Women's Center Equipment (Edmond) – Essential upgrades for mothers and newborns, including a bilirubin monitor, breast milk warmer, infant scale, and nitrous oxide machine.
Radiant Warmer Replacement (Enid) – Reliable warmth and monitoring equipment for 750+ newborns in their first critical minutes of life.
Courtyard Renovation (Woodward) – A revitalized outdoor space with updated landscaping and new furniture, creating a calming environment for patients, families, and caregivers.
These 21 projects — each one rooted in real clinical need and championed by the people who know those needs best — are made possible entirely by caregivers choosing to give.
One Spark. Thousands of Lives.
The INTEGRIS Health Foundation projects that thousands of lives across Oklahoma will be positively impacted by this year's YOU&I campaign contributions. That impact doesn't happen by accident. It happens because caregivers — nurses, physicians, technicians, administrators, and support staff — decided to invest in something bigger than themselves.
Story by Kris Leininger