In healthcare, critical care, and research. That’s what trillium giving is all about.  And to lead and pave the way going forward; Steve Hoscheit is the President and CEO of Trillium Health Partners Foundation, heading a team of 35 individuals. He is also responsible for Board development, strategic planning, fund development, finance, and human resources. As President and CEO of Trillium Health Centre Foundation since 2008, and Shared CEO of The Credit Valley Hospital Foundation and Trillium Health Centre Foundation in 2012-13, Steve played a key role in the recent amalgamation of The Credit Valley Hospital Foundation and Trillium Health Centre Foundation, which took place in July 2013. Under Steve’s leadership, the newly-amalgamated Trillium Health Partners Foundation raised $34.4 million in fiscal 2013-14 in support of Trillium Health Partners – one of the largest community-based, acute care facilities in Canada.

 

You’ve had significant results in many activities such as Board development, major gift solicitation, donor cultivation, planned giving, and donor stewardship. How do all of these integrate into one combined experience to achieve your estimated targets?

I have always felt that you can set as many targets or goals as you like, but if your team isn’t excited—or passionate about the project, then the results are unlikely to be great.  My team has really come together to embrace supporting the hospital in its mission to provide a new kind of health care for a healthier community, and I’m proud of our significant results.

I worked in Alberta but was drawn here (to Mississauga) because of the exciting things that were happening at the hospital and in the community.  This is a unique city—the sixth largest in Canada and one of the fastest growing. It has higher concentrations of children and seniors than anywhere else.  It also has tremendous diversity—one of its central strengths. And there are many people here with multiple chronic diseases.  Because of all this, Mississauga is the ideal testing grounds for THP to implement innovative health care treatments and programs.

What’s happening here at THP—health care system redesign—will later be replicated and scaled across the province and country. Trillium Health Partners is establishing itself as a phenomenal leader for providing patient-first care that results in exceptional patient experiences at our three hospital sites. We have a strong relationship with the hospital and are thrilled to support them in their innovative work for the community.

 

Having had extensive experience working for both private and non-profit sectors, how has that helped you in your current role of fundraising for Canada’s complex healthcare environment?

I’ve been fortunate to have worked with tremendous people. I’ve benefited greatly from others mentorship and I’ve been able to inspire those who have worked for me. I’ve worked in the education, health, arts, and religious sectors and have learning’s from that broad-based experience. Each industry has had its challenges, and I’ve enjoyed being an integral part of the solutions, which has been highly rewarding.  And I’m excited to bring these collaborative experiences to Trillium Health Partners Foundation, and use them to enable the hospital advance its vision, continuing to build its strong culture of innovation.

 

Other than what Trillium’s website conveys, what is it that Trillium Health Partners Foundation does that is significantly different?

There are many differences. We’re supporting the hospital’s unique vision. That means that we’re not just building new spaces—it means that we’re designing patient friendly spaces. We’re training the next generation of clinicians in patient-first—not system-first—health care. We’re researching to find practical innovations to real health-system challenges. In other words, THP is redesigning the health care system so that it works entirely for patients. Supporting this mission has transformed the ways that we think of health care and fundraising.

 

Tell us about real stories, about lives being changed

There are so many great patient stories. But one in particular stands out; Esa Para Esananda is a prominent real estate agent. He suffered a major heart attack and THP saved his life. That sounds common, perhaps, but it isn’t. Our Cardiac Health Catheterization Laboratory—the only one between Toronto’s University Avenue and the city of Hamilton—is the fastest in North America for unblocking coronary arteries. Every minute is critical in such a procedure, and our cardiac interventional team is dedicated to continuous process improvements that reduce the treatment time so that patients like Esa can be around to see their children grow up, and not pass away before their time.

 

What are the key motivators that come from you to make your team rise to the occasion of determining the goals set for the fiscal year.  How tough is it for you to make a decision about who is to stay, and who moves on if they have under-performed.  Because let’s face it fundraising is tough business, isn’t it?

We aspire to build a culture of engagement and inspiration not only with the team but with our volunteer leader board. So I endeavour to be what I call a ‘servant leader’—the type of leader who wants to make an impact, is keen to support a cause that makes a difference, wants to develop and grow a team, who motivates the team by working shoulder-to-shoulder with them. We have a unique opportunity to inspire and motivate our team —together we can build a new kind of healthcare for our community. Our collaboration enables the hospital to achieve their important work.

Since the merger of the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation and Trillium Health Centre Foundation, I’ve endeavoured to assemble an inspired and engaged high-performing team and foster a culture of excellence that mirrors the innovation and excellence we see every day at the hospital.

 

 Given the fact that you have years of fundraising experiences, If you were in a classroom of the potential fundraisers of tomorrow, what would be your advice to them–nationally and internationally

I would recommend that those just starting out be patient, avoid flip-flopping between organizations. Instead, look to grow with one organization and seek out opportunities to best contribute your talents and abilities with the organization. This is the more fulfilling and rewarding career path. Find a mentor(s) to support you in your career development – mentor others as you advance in your career. Also, become enthusiastic and excited by the good work that your organization performs—never forget that your work combines to make a real difference in our society.

 

Talk to us about your volunteering assignments, and how important this is to you

Service informs every aspect of my life, including my leadership style. Volunteering has always been a major part of my life—from my boyhood through to my work for Big Brothers, of which organization I’m proud to be an alumni. I’ve been a volunteer my entire life and I owe it to my mother. When I was a young boy, my mother would bring me to seniors’ homes just to be with them, to give them company, to listen to them. I learned early the importance of giving freely to others in whatever ways we can. Volunteering is the one sure and simple thing that everyone can do, despite time limitations, talents or abilities—everyone can give of themselves and volunteer. National Volunteer Week is next week, and I’m looking forward to thanking approximately 2,000 volunteers who help make THP such a strong and exceedingly popular hospital.

 

What does the future of Trillium Health Partners Foundation under your leadership for the years ahead look like?

We have accomplished so much in the short time of our Foundations’ merger and the amalgamation of our three hospital sites.  Our most important goal is to be the hospital’s strategic partner and to significantly impact their work by enabling and accelerating the implementation of their innovative programs, meaningful partnerships, and vision for our community. My legacy as the leader of this Foundation is based on sustainability, and my goal is to ensure that this Foundation is well-positioned to support the hospital for many years to come. THP has the immense potential to be a leading national hospital. We just need to maintain our momentum.