Charity Care for Our Community

You can tell a lot about an organization by the size of its facilities.  Or its staff.

At the same time, you may be able to tell even more by the size of its heart.  And when it comes to charity care, our heart more than measures up.  While operating as a private, not-for-profit health system, WakeMed provides more than 85% of Wake County’s charity care.  The health system does not receive city, county or state funding.

Single parents.  Working poor.  The underserved.  Call them what you will.  If they need care, they get it at WakeMed.  Just like everyone else.

In years past, we’ve provided up to $99 million in charity care, with $115 million projected in the immediate future.  Add to that $5 million in outreach.  500,000-plus employee volunteer hours. And over $10 million annually to teach and train the next generation of doctors and nurses.

Sure, it’s a burden, but one WakeMed has joyfully embraced from the beginning.  When we make a commitment, we stick to it.  And our commitment is this:  we’ll be there for you, whenever you need us.  And it says a lot about our organization that we’re able to function both as a world-class health network and the health care safety net for the community.

Maybe it’s because we know it could happen to any of us.  Or maybe it’s just who we are.  Whatever it is, we’re all better for it.