SwedishAmerican Health Foundation

11/19/2025

Please join us in celebrating Jeff Marrs, SwedishAmerican Health Foundation Board Member, who was honored today as the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Rockford Area Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon!

This year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Home,” couldn’t be more fitting. Jeff comes from a family that, for generations, has embodied the spirit of volunteering and giving back. He carries that legacy forward every day — and is now passing it along to his own children as they grow up seeing service in action.

Jeff’s energy, creativity and genuine heart for others lift up countless organizations across Northern Illinois. Whether he’s lending his auctioneering talents to raise critical funds, rolling up his sleeves to volunteer or helping nonprofits build stronger connections, Jeff makes things happen. He leads with purpose, inspires generosity and strengthens the community we all call home.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. Thank you, Jeff, for all you do for our Foundation and for our community. 💙

Pictured L–R: Mike Broski, SAHF Board Chair; Jeff Marrs, SAHF Board Member; Barb Aaby, SAHF Executive Director; and Travis Andersen, UW Health in northern Illinois CEO.

11/18/2025

We’re proud to have Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, a heart and lung surgeon, on the UW Health SwedishAmerican team. He’s 1 of only 5 surgeons nationwide who performs Total Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB)—bringing this advanced, minimally invasive option to northern Illinois for the first time.

Using robotic-assisted surgery, Dr. Murtaza treats complex heart conditions through tiny incisions, helping patients recover faster, experience less pain and get back to the things they love sooner.

We’re proud to have Dr. Murtaza’s expertise and patient-first approach on our team and excited for the hope and options he brings to our community. 💙

Learn more about his incredible capabilities and what this means for patients in his recent interview: https://www.wifr.com/2025/10/23/new-uw-health-surgeon-welcomes-robotic-heart-procedures-rockford-region/

11/17/2025

From regular checkups to mental wellness, small steps today can lead to big wins tomorrow. 🩵

This Men’s Health Month, let’s keep the conversation going, break the stigma and support men in living longer, healthier lives.

💡 Tips for staying on top of your health:
• Schedule routine checkups and screenings
• Prioritize mental health and talk openly about stress or anxiety
• Stay active and eat balanced meals
• Make time for sleep and self-care

Your health matters—today, tomorrow and for years to come. Let’s encourage the men in our lives to take care of themselves. 💙

11/17/2025

A beautiful moment worth sharing. 💕

Judi rang the bell to celebrate finishing chemotherapy at UW Health SwedishAmerican at the UW Health l Carbone Cancer Center Rockford.

Help us surround her with love—share a 🎉 or message of support!

11/14/2025

💖 A big thank-you to , Mary Kay Sales Director, along with her team and customers, for their incredible generosity!

They donated over 200 gift bags to the UW Health l Carbone Cancer Center Rockford, each filled with Mary Kay hand lotion, lip balm, a bookmark and a pink ribbon.

Your thoughtful support brings comfort and smiles to patients during their cancer care journey. Thank you for making a difference in our community! 💕

11/13/2025

Meet one of the newest reasons to celebrate World Kindness Day! 💫

This sweet baby, born at our Women & Children’s Hospital, reminds us that every new life brings endless opportunities to make the world a gentler, more caring place.

At SwedishAmerican Health Foundation, we believe kindness is at the heart of remarkable care. From our compassionate caregivers to the generosity of our donors, kindness inspires every act of healing and every new beginning. 💙

We invite you to join us in celebrating World Kindness Day by sharing how you’re spreading kindness today.

11/11/2025

Today we honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication and heart.

To all Veterans, thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your commitment to protecting the freedoms we hold dear.

We are grateful to you today and every day. ❤️🤍💙

11/09/2025

It’s National Nurse Practitioner Week and we’re celebrating the incredible NPs at UW Health SwedishAmerican who make remarkable care here possible every single day! 👏

From listening with heart to leading with expertise, nurse practitioners go above and beyond to keep our community healthy and strong.

Join us in thanking these health care heroes for all they do!

11/08/2025

Following yesterday’s post about the incredible generosity of the “Maggie Strong” team, we’re honored to share another inspiring gift! 💕

A huge thank-you to Inspiration for Hope and founder Terri Johnston for their $18,000 donation to the Margaret M. Rudolph Endowment Fund. Although the organization ceased operations a few years ago when Terri moved to Tennessee, this gift, made from Inspiration for Hope’s remaining funds, continues its mission of care and compassion for local breast cancer patients.

This meaningful contribution will help ensure patients in our community continue to receive vital assistance, support and research opportunities for generations to come. Thank you, Terri and team, for trusting us to carry on your remarkable legacy.

11/07/2025

https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2025/11/fun-loving-rockford-womans-legacy-lives-on-through-support-for-breast-cancer-care-at-uw-health/

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Shortly before her death from breast cancer in

11/07/2025

A heartfelt thank-you to Ron Rudolph and the “Maggie Strong” team for stopping by yesterday to present a check to our Board of Directors! 💗 Their incredible generosity supports UW Health SwedishAmerican breast cancer care, research and patient assistance right here in our community.

This $54,000 gift to our Margaret M. Rudolph Endowment Fund was made possible through their 2025 fundraising efforts—including the always-inspiring Maggie Strong Charitable Golf Outing. ⛳️

To support local breast cancer care, visit: https://www.swedishamericanhealthfoundation.org/give/

11/05/2025

We love helping keep bodies and minds healthy! ❤️ Through our partnership with United Way of Rock River Valley, children at our Winnebago County clinics receive books to enjoy and take home during their well-child visits, helping families build a lifelong love of reading through the Reach Out and Read program. Because story time isn’t just fun, it helps kids grow healthy minds and bright futures. 📚✨

📖 Learn more about how we’re supporting young readers here: https://www.unitedwayrrv.org/reach-out-and-read.