Oswego Health Employees Raise More Than $78,000 to Support Patient Comfort and Care

 (Oswego, NY: January 12, 2026) — Oswego Health employees once again demonstrated their commitment to the mission of their nonprofit healthcare system by raising over $78,000 through the annual Employee Giving Campaign. A total of 492 employees participated, exceeding the participation goal of 375 employees and surpassing last year’s fundraising total—highlighting the continued generosity and engagement of the Oswego Health team.

Funds raised through the 2025 employee campaign directly supported initiatives focused on enhancing patient comfort and experience, including:

• Outdoor Seating Area at the Fulton Medical Center – creating a calming and welcoming space for patients and families
• Holiday Gifts for Patients – bringing joy and comfort to patients spending the holidays in Oswego Health facilities
• Ear Plugs for Patients – helping reduce noise disruptions during first-floor construction

One of the most visible and heartfelt outcomes of the campaign was the distribution of holiday gift bags to patients during the week of Christmas. The response from patients and care teams alike was overwhelmingly positive.

“The mental health patients absolutely loved their Christmas goody bags,” said Liz Rice, MSN, BSN, RN, Director at Lobdell Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Lakeview. “The small touches—coloring books, word searches, playing cards—made them feel remembered, appreciated, and cared for during the holidays.”

Staff across inpatient units echoed that sentiment. Cheryl Stilwell, BSN, RN, Executive Director of Nursing shared that patients were “so surprised and grateful” for the gifts. “It was a great idea and another great example of what we do for our patients as an organization,” she said.

According to Jen Fassano, MBA, MSN, RN, Director of the Emergency Department, the gifts were easy for staff to distribute and deeply appreciated by patients. “Patients were very thankful for the sentiment,” she noted. “It was clear how much these small acts of kindness meant.”

Oswego Health leadership expressed gratitude to every employee who participated, emphasizing that employee giving plays a critical role in enhancing patient-centered care beyond traditional clinical services.

“Every dollar raised through this campaign stays right here at Oswego Health, directly benefiting our patients and families,” said Executive Director of the Oswego Health Foundation, Margaret Barclay. “The generosity of our employees—both in participation and spirit—reflects the heart of our organization.”

Oswego Health remains committed to advancing compassionate, community-focused care, made possible in part through the dedication and generosity of its employees.

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About Oswego Health:  
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be Oswego County’s largest private employer. More than 1,600 employees spread throughout its 18 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, the healthcare system includes Oswego Health Medical Practice, a multi-specialty medical group offering the community accessible, high-quality healthcare. 100+ physicians, advanced practice providers, and caregivers offer an extensive array of services across CNY, including primary care and specialty care in the areas of orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, general surgery, urology, pulmonology, and bariatrics. For more information about Oswego Health visit www.oswegohealth.org.