The first several months of 2015 have been eventful for Venango County’s local hospital foundation, most notably with a new identity. The Northwest Hospital Foundation name was adopted in January, and the changes have kept coming ever since.

Denise Jones, longtime Venango County chief clerk/county administrator assumed leadership in January, and along with working on developing a new identity for the local, non-profit organization that exclusively supports UPMC Northwest, the board began a search for a new executive director to replace retiring executive Roger McCauley.

“We are pleased to have our new executive director in place, and are extremely proud to introduce Theresa Edder to the community,” said Jones. “Theresa comes to us with many years of experience in local fundraising and mission development, and her local ties will benefit the foundation as we move forward to advance local healthcare at UPMC Northwest,” she said.

Edder holds both masters and bachelors’ degrees from Clarion University, and has served as director of alumni relations and the annual fund at Clarion University Foundation. She most recently held the position of director of mission advancement for WRC Senior Services. She shares her vision for the future by stating, “I embrace the challenge of introducing Northwest Hospital Foundation and its mission to our local community.” She adds, “UPMC Northwest’s reputation and long history in Venango County is well known and I am honored to lead the organization that supports the hospital, and my major goal is to grow the foundation and its reach within the community.”

Because Northwest Hospital Foundation benefits only UPMC Northwest, the board and foundation leadership work closely with hospital administration to determine the most effective allocation of funds. According to David Gibbons, UPMC Northwest president, “The foundation’s work in support of UPMC Northwest is incredibly valuable to the successful operation of our organization. A number of projects have been underwritten by the foundation, such as facility construction, acquisition of diagnostic equipment, as well as stroke and cancer week celebrations, and many more.” He adds, “I enthusiastically embrace the foundation’s mission and future direction, and welcome Theresa to her new position as Executive Director.” Gibbons states, “As healthcare continues to change not only locally but across the nation, we must find creative ways to provide high quality health care to the residents in our community, and Northwest Hospital Foundation assists us in that process, and will continue to do so moving forward.”