Tom and Kathleen O’Gorman have donated $300,000 for the development of a Provider Wellness Program at Maui Health.

WAILUKU — Maui Health Foundation is excited to announce a $300,000 gift from Tom and Kathleen O’Gorman for the development of a Provider Wellness Program at Maui Health.

The O’Gormans originally contributed $200,000 and offered an additional $100,000 if their donation was matched.

Stepping up to this challenge were Maggie and Peter Martin and Tamar and Stephen Goodfellow, donating $50,000 each for a cumulative gift of $100,000, matching the O’Gorman’s initial gift.

The Provider Wellness Program is being developed to help physicians with their health and well-being.

Health care providers are in a demanding profession, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the toll that the pace, long hours and intense emotional investment can have on a provider’s mental and physical health.

The O’Gormans were inspired to support Maui Health providers and this critical program after learning that wellness programs for providers had made a significant difference in so many lives.

Established provider wellness programs at esteemed institutions such as Stanford University Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic confirm significant benefits, including a reduction in stress and burnout.

“It’s important we support our health care workers in a way that keeps them well and able to focus on what they do best — saving lives and improving quality of life,” the O’Gormans explained. “Most of us will never be responsible for saving lives, but it is critical that we help those who do. That’s why we are proud supporters of Maui Health.”

The Maui Health Provider Wellness Program will focus on the holistic health and well-being of community physicians providing care at Maui Health.

“The O’Gormans’ gift provides a tremendous opportunity for our hospital to further focus on clinician wellness. Even before COVID, clinician burnout was already a national public health concern. The tireless efforts of our nurses, doctors and support staff during the pandemic demonstrate that the wellness of our workforce is a valuable community resource that we need to preserve and protect,” said Clinical Psychologist Giulietta Swenson, PsyD.

“This generous gift allows us to implement more initiatives that can transform the clinician’s work-life and ultimately lead to even better patient outcomes.”

Maui Health Foundation welcomes additional gifts to fund this critical program and acknowledge the tireless work of all providers during the pandemic.

For more information about Maui Health Foundation and how to support healthcare in Maui County, visit mauihealth.org/foundation.