Giving Back: Ruth and Paul Manchester's Rich History at Holy Cross
For 36 years, Ruth served as a nurse, practicing in medical/surgical, then oncology, and later as founder of the Holy Cross' IV team in 1991. According to Ruth, Paul has the distinction of being the first father in the delivery room at Holy Cross.
“Our daughter was born in 1972 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where fathers were allowed in the delivery room,” she says. “When our son was due to be born at Holy Cross in 1975, I told Paul he needed to be in the delivery room with me.” Thus, a new precedent, along with their second child, was born.
Faith, Health, Community
As a faith community nurse, Ruth has put her heart and soul into caring for people in her community.
When Holy Cross was looking to provide some community outreach in 1993, Ruth suggested the faith community nurse program, supporting nurses in congregations of all faiths to care for patients in their communities who need help after discharged. Two other nurses joined her, and they built a strong network – the first of its kind in the Washington, DC area – holding meetings at Holy Cross.
“We got other churches interested in faith community nursing,” she says. “We had some strong leaders in our network, and our coordinator, Jeanne, was our rock. If you have that network, you can all work together in the community to help people. Holy Cross supported us.”
Faith community nurses work with hospital social workers to identify patients who are part of a faith community. The nurses work with a social worker on discharge plans, to make sure that patients have proper care when they go home.
For example, Ruth recently visited a woman, who is scheduled to for lung surgery. The visit included a prayer communion by the pastor and answering questions about her surgery. She and the pastor also made sure the patient had someone to care for her after the surgery.
“Holy Cross’ mission is to help people in need,” she says. “Their social workers will write to me and say, ‘This person needs a little extra help, and they’ve got five in the family.’ Then I can send a gift card through my church. It all works together.”
A Commitment to Community
In addition to making their mark on Holy Cross through their dedicated service, they also share their generous philanthropy through the Kevin J. Sexton Fund to Increase Access and Improve Community Health to help meet the needs of our most vulnerable patients and their families. They knew Kevin Sexton well during his 18-year tenure as President and CEO of Holy Cross Health.
“Holy Cross serves the community around us, and the Kevin J. Sexton Fund directly helps our neighbors in need,” Ruth says. “People need extra help. I'm acutely aware of the needs of our underserved, people with mental health issues, immigrants, or those who are just not making ends meet.”
Paul and Ruth also took the visionary step to of including Holy Cross in their estate plans.
“It’s important to us to ensure that Holy Cross can continue its mission for years to come,” says Paul. “There will always be a need for the care and services the hospital provide. We want to help meet that need.”
The Gift of a Lifetime
These days, Ruth is still active as a faith community nurse and a teacher, recently instructing students on the works of Frank Lloyd Wright. She enjoys the friendly competition of Wordle, daily connecting with her daughter and a friend to see who solves the puzzle with the least tries.
Paul takes classes to brush up on the Spanish he was fluent in 40 years ago as a member of the Peace Corp. Instead of Wordle, he participates in a Scrabble group, along with two bridge groups.
Paul and Ruth remain extremely grateful for the many relationships they’ve built and nurtured through Holy Cross Health, and believe their philanthropy is an expression of gratitude for all they have gained.
“Giving back is important to us,” Ruth says. “We feel blessed that we’re able to help our community and help Holy Cross in its mission, now and well into the future.”
To donate or learn about how you can build your legacy at Holy Cross Health through planned giving, reach out to us at Foundation@holycrosshealth.org or call us at 301-557-GIVE (4483). You can also visit us online at HolyCrossHealth.org/Donate.