How UHH fits in as a nonprofit hospital

Julia Oellerich is the Foundation Director at Upland Hills Health. The Foundation’s mission is to solicit and administer gifts and contributions to advance healthcare and wellness to those served by Upland Hills Health. Julia can be reached at 608.930.7169 or oellerichj@uplandhillshealth.org

Upland Hills Health is one in 2,845.

We’ve all heard the word “nonprofit”. Or maybe you’ve heard the words tax-exempt, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), charity, or foundation. Of course you have, because these types of organizations are all around us. There are a whopping 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, of all varieties.

What you may not have realized is that one of those varieties of nonprofits are some hospitals – 2,845 of the 3,879 hospitals in the United States, in fact. Upland Hills Health (UHH) is one of them!

Are nonprofits really “non profit”?

All nonprofits have one thing in common: they provide solutions to problems and enrich their communities. Plain and simple. But what exactly does it mean to be a nonprofit hospital?

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the hospital won’t make a profit, although many don’t. Instead, it means that any profit that is made must be reinvested in the community through community benefits, or to advance the mission of the hospital. The term “nonprofit” truly means that no profit gained, outside of endowments and savings, can roll over to the next year.

The idea behind the “what comes in, must go out” concept of nonprofits is to require nonprofit organizations to dedicate as many resources as possible to benefiting their mission or the community they serve. UHH takes this role very seriously. We partner with community members and community organizations whenever possible to determine and address the needs of the community. Last year, UHH gave over $3 million in community benefits such as community outreach programs and education, donations of medical supplies to community organizations, financial assistance for those who cannot afford their healthcare costs, and many more, to fulfill our mission.

Additionally, at UHH, being a nonprofit hospital means that we:

• are dedicated to identifying and addressing the community’s specific healthcare needs
• work closely with other community organizations to make sure community-based health programs are accessible
• traditionally charge lower rates than for-profit hospitals
• treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay
• place an emphasis on providing high quality care
• partner with and reinvest in the communities we serve

Community owned. Community operated.

Many nonprofit hospitals, including UHH and the UHH Foundation, are led by a volunteer board of directors with representation from each community where UHH is present. The community members who serve in these roles are dedicated to ensuring the strength of UHH and its positive impact on the community. Plus, many of the people working at UHH are community members who care deeply for the organization and the patients they care for.

Why do nonprofit hospitals have foundations?

Staying one step ahead of the ever-changing healthcare landscape, to continue to provide high-quality, high-touch care can be pricey. Especially as healthcare costs continue to rise and insurance reimbursement rates continue to fall. As a nonprofit hospital, funding needed programs and services can be tricky. That’s why many nonprofits turn to their community for support. It is also one reason why the UHH Foundation was formed – to guarantee, through generous donations, that the community will have quick and easy access to preventative AND lifesaving care, close to home.

To learn more about the UHH Foundation and things that donations to the Foundation have funded over past 10 years, visit https://www.uplandhillshealth.org/about-uhh/foundation/.