A Letter from Karli Bunnell, Executive Director
As summer settles into Truckee, bringing long mountain evenings, busy trails, and time spent together in our beautiful community, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership and generosity. Your support allows the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation to invest in transformative programs, expand access to care, and strengthen the future of healthcare in our region. Because of you, we are able to make meaningful progress toward providing exceptional care close to home.
In this edition of our newsletter, we invite you to this year’s Best Of fundraiser and share the impact of our Cancer Center Grateful Patient Match in supporting the purchase of a new LINAC. We are also pleased to present our annual Stewardship Report, highlighting the generosity and collective impact of our donor community over the past year. Additionally, we welcome a new Foundation Board member, recognize Tahoe Forest Health System’s national recognition for geriatric emergency care, and introduce Periscope Path, our charitable estate planning education opportunity designed to help donors align their values with their legacy.
Thank you for your continued trust, generosity, and belief in our mission. It is truly an honor to partner with you in strengthening healthcare for our community today and for generations to come.
In gratitude,
Karli Bunnell
Executive Director
Best Of Fundraiser
The Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation’s Best Of Fundraiser returns on Friday, October 30 at the North Tahoe Event Center! Join us for an unforgettable evening of incredible bites from top local chefs, perfectly paired wines, and a celebration of community impact — all in support of expanding access to care.
Rooted in community and driven by generosity, Best Of brings together friends, partners, and supporters for a meaningful night benefiting the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation.
We would be honored to partner with you as a sponsor of this year’s Best Of fundraiser. Tickets and sponsorship options are now available.
Cancer Center Match
For many cancer patients, radiation therapy is more than treatment—it’s hope. It’s the ability to fight cancer with precision, while staying close to family, friends, and the support systems that matter most.
At the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, our LINAC makes this possible every day. Now, we need your help to replace this vital technology and continue delivering lifesaving care.
With a generous matching gift, every dollar you give will be doubled—making twice the impact for patients in our community. Donate here.
2025 Stewardship Report
We take great pride in celebrating the Foundation’s annual accomplishments while also educating our communities about our important work. We are grateful for any opportunity to illustrate how the support of our donors helps the Health System provide essential care. With that, we are eager to share our 2025 Stewardship Report in this eNewsletter!
In this latest annual report, we will communicate some impressive patient census data, tell you more about the innovative technology we are helping support, show you how your gifts are helping elevate local healthcare, and provide a brief overview of all the ways in which you can give.
Each year, we look forward to circulating this brochure within our communities – we hope you will be as excited as we are about our successes!
View the electronic version of our 2025 TFHS Foundation Stewardship Report.
Meet Your Foundation Board Member
We are pleased to welcome Lynne Weakley to the TFHS Foundation Board of Directors and are grateful for her commitment to our mission.
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Lynne began her career in education before supporting her family’s business, Mountain Electric, Inc., in Truckee, where she served as office manager and bookkeeper for more than 30 years.
Lynne has a strong history of community involvment, including serving eight years on a Homewoners Association Board in Ketchum, Idaho, as president. A longtime Truckee resident, she raised three children who attended local schools. She enjoys hiking and cross-country skiing in the Sierra Nevada and brings a deep commitment to the community in her role as board member.
Please join us in thanking Lynne for joining the Foundation Board and supporting our community.
TFH Earns National Recognition for Geriatric Emergency Care
Tahoe Forest Hospital is proud to announce that its Emergency Department has received Level 3 (Bronze) Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
This national accreditation recognizes emergency departments that demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality, specialized care for older adults. The GEDA program, supported by organizations such as the American Geriatrics Society and the Emergency Nurses Association, sets rigorous standards to improve outcomes for geriatric patients.
The GEDA program builds on national guidelines established in 2014 to enhance geriatric emergency care. Accredited departments implement best practices such as:
- Specialized training for interdisciplinary care teams
- Screening for conditions like delirium, dementia, and fall risk
- Access to geriatric-appropriate equipment and supplies
- Protocols tailored to the needs of older patients
Earning Level 3 accreditation signifies that Tahoe Forest Hospital has successfully incorporated many of these best practices into its emergency care model. The accreditation process also provides ongoing guidance. The GEDA Board of Governors will offer additional recommendations to support continued advancement, with reaccreditation scheduled in three years.
“Earning Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation reflects our deep commitment to caring for every member of our community with the expertise and compassion they deserve,” said Anna Roth, President & CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “As our region’s population continues to age, we are proud to ensure that older adults receive specialized, high-quality emergency care close to home.”
This milestone highlights Tahoe Forest Hospital’s commitment to excellence and reinforces its role as a trusted healthcare provider for the region’s growing senior population.
Offering Periscope Path
An elevated review of your estate plan to clarify what matters most.
In partnership with Vince McElligott at Thompson & Associates, we’re pleased to offer Periscope Path—a guided, confidential process that helps families discover what truly matters most. By aligning personal values with estate plans, this thoughtful approach ensures loved ones and meaningful causes are supported with clarity and purpose for generations to come.
If you are interested in learning more about this complimentary estate planning education opportunity, we invite you to visit the Periscope Path website. For additional information or questions, please contact Karli Bunnell, Executive Director Foundations, at kbunnell@tfhd.com.
What Our Community is Saying
We are always proud to share some of the positive recognition we receive from patients, honoring the compassionate care provided at Tahoe Forest Health System!
“The facility is staff by kind, caring people! I cannot express my appreciation and gratitude for how I was effectively and efficiently treated.”
“This facility (outpatient rehab) is all about getting patients back on their feet.”
“Melissa did so well talking to my daughter so she wasn’t scared… She wants to go back to the ER now to see you.”
“I felt like I owed it to the staff to get better… I can’t thank you enough.”
“The nurses went above and beyond to provide great care and support for myself and my newborn.”
Get In Touch
Learn more about the Foundation by following the Health System on social media! We post updates weekly.
Instagram Username: tahoeforesthealthsystem
Facebook Page: Tahoe Forest Health System
Twitter Account: TahoeForestHospital
Thank you for your interest in the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation. To learn more about the different ways you can support TFH through philanthropy, visit www.tfhd.com/giving/giving or contact Karli Epstein, Executive Director, at 530-582-4204 or kepstein@tfhd.com.
If you are not on our electronic mailing list, sign up to receive our quarterly TFHS Foundation eNewsletter.
