Winter 2025 TFHS Foundation News

During this busy and reflective time of year, I want to pause and extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you. Your generosity and commitment continue to make the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation a vital force in advancing healthcare for our community. Time and again, your support affirms the deep care you have for our neighbors, caregivers, and the future of local healthcare.

Our quarterly Foundation eNewsletter is designed to both share meaningful updates and express our sincere gratitude for the impact you make possible. In this edition, we celebrate the success of our Best Of fundraiser and the extraordinary generosity of the Martis Camp Foundation. You’ll also read about the collective power of Giving Tuesday, which once again demonstrated how small acts of generosity can create lasting impact. We take time to honor and thank retiring board members for their years of dedicated service, welcome a new physician to our Health System, and share information about our end-of-year appeal—an important opportunity to help sustain the programs and services our community relies on.

As we look ahead, we are filled with gratitude and optimism. Every gift you make helps ensure access to high-quality, compassionate care close to home—today and for generations to come. On behalf of the Foundation team, thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your unwavering support. We are truly honored to steward your generosity and to continue this important work together.

Season’s Greetings to you and your loved ones –

In gratitude,

Karli Bunnell
Executive Director

On November 1st, we came together at the North Tahoe Event Center for the inaugural Best Of Fundraiser — an evening that was truly unforgettable. Guests enjoyed exquisite food and wine pairings crafted by some of the region’s most talented chefs and celebrated vintners, all in support of advancing local healthcare. The event was a shining reflection of our community’s generosity and spirit.

The Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation netted over $350,000 to support the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation, helping enhance care close to home.

We are so grateful to everyone who attended, our dedicated staff, and this amazing community for making this fundraiser an extraordinary success!

Check out the gallery of photos from the evening.

We’re thrilled to share that the Tahoe Forest Health System has received a $40,000 grant from the Martis Camp Foundation! This generous contribution will fuel the newly established Patient Care Enhancement Program, which provides vital funding to departments across our health system for the purchase of equipment that directly improves patient care and comfort.

Already this year, the program has made a meaningful difference — funding three blanket warmers to improve patient comfort, 30 pelvic floor kits to support specialized therapy services, a treadmill for rehabilitation programs, pediatric vitals equipment to better serve our youngest patients, and updated care coordination field kits to enhance in-home and community-based care.

Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation is committed to reinvesting in the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful to the Martis Camp Foundation for their continued partnership and investment in advancing healthcare excellence across our region. Together, we’re ensuring that every patient who walks through our doors receives compassionate, high-quality care close to home

#GivingTuesday celebrates the power of philanthropy. By supporting causes that are important to us, we transform our communities. The TFHS Foundation collectively raised over $150,000 during this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and this year’s matching gift, vital services across the health system—such as Oncology Support Services—can continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients.

The Cancer Center offers a variety of supportive care programs – all at no cost to the patient or their caregiver. 100% of every donation designated to Oncology Support Services goes toward a whole-person approach to cancer care, providing services such as individual counseling, massage therapy, acupuncture, and biofeedback…to list just a few! Access to this integrated approach significantly improves quality of life for patients, their families, and caregivers.

We are fortunate to have state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer care, right in our community. These services play a crucial role in improving health outcomes, and we are deeply grateful for your support in making a positive difference in our community’s health and well-being. Thank you for helping to make these services possible!

We extend our deepest gratitude to the following board members as they conclude their service with the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation. Their leadership, dedication, and commitment have played an essential role in advancing our mission and strengthening local healthcare for our community.

Breck Overall has served on the Board since 2018 and has provided steady and thoughtful leadership as Board Chair since 2020. During his tenure, Breck helped guide the Foundation through pivotal years of growth and change, offering strategic insight and a deep commitment to the future of Tahoe Forest Hospital. His leadership has left a lasting impact on both the Foundation and the community we serve.

Sandy Cath has served on the Board since 2020, offering thoughtful guidance and a strong dedication to philanthropy and community health. Her service and commitment have been instrumental in supporting the Foundation’s mission and ensuring continued access to high-quality care in the Truckee Tahoe region.

Scott Wessel, who joined the Board in 2023, brought valuable perspective and enthusiasm during his term of service. His willingness to engage, contribute, and support the Foundation’s work has helped advance important initiatives and strengthen our Board’s collective efforts.

We are very grateful for the time, expertise, and passion each of these individuals has shared. Thank you for your leadership and service—you will always be valued members of the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation family.

Tahoe Forest Sports Medicine is proud to announce the addition of Whitney Liehr, DO, to its team of dedicated physicians specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr. Liehr joins Tahoe Forest Sports Medicine after completing her fellowship with the Utah Valley Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, where she provided care to athletes and active individuals. She completed her physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the University of California, Davis Medical Center and is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR).

Dr. Liehr earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she also served as a Pre-Doctoral Osteopathic Principles and Practices Fellow. Her background includes extensive teaching experience, leadership in clinical education, and recognition for outstanding resident teaching and service.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Liehr to the Tahoe Forest Sports Medicine clinic in Truckee, where she will play a key part in growing and enhancing our sports medicine and rehabilitation services. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Tahoe Forest Health System at (530) 582-6205.

You should have received our TFHS Foundation Annual Appeal in the mail. It is our goal, year over year, to continue building awareness focused on our mission of providing the best rural healthcare in the nation. By forging valued relationships with our community members, it is our hope to share more about the remarkable TFHS healthcare resources, available right here in our region!

If you would like to help guarantee access to local healthcare, please look for your TFHS Foundation Annual Appeal in your inboxes and mailboxes this month or donate here.

As we look to the year ahead, your support is more important than ever. Beginning in 2026, new tax rules will change how charitable giving is treated. While most households will receive a new universal deduction for qualifying charitable gifts, itemizers will face a new 0.5% AGI “floor” before deductions apply, and high-bracket taxpayers will see a cap on deduction benefits. For many donors, making a gift this year may offer the greatest tax advantage under current rules.

We know that during a health crisis, minutes matter. Thank you in advance for helping us safeguard our patient care services by giving a gift in support of TFHS!

As we approach the end of the year, there are a variety of ways for you to support the Tahoe Forest Health System, and every gift has a meaningful impact on the well-being of our Tahoe Truckee community. 100% of your gift goes directly toward projects and programs at the Health System that YOU care about. If you are interested in giving to the Foundation today, below are some of the ways in which you can do so:

• Gifts of cash: Gifts of cash, by check or credit card, are the most direct way to give to TFHSF. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, your gift is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
• Gifts of securities: Stock that has increased in value is one of the most popular assets used for charitable giving, once it has been held for a minimum of a year. Donating appreciated securities is a simple gift and can offer you a greater tax benefit than an equivalent in cash. Using appreciated securities entitles you to a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the donated asset, and you avoid paying the capital gains tax you would pay if you sold the appreciated securities.
• Gifts from a retirement plan: If you are required to take a minimum distribution from a retirement account, a Qualified Charitable Distribution can be made from an IRA at the TFHS Foundation. This will allow you to lower your gross income and possibly reduce your income or estate tax by transferring the additional taxable income to TFHSF.
• Gifts from a donor advised fund: A donor advised fund is like a charitable investment account and you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction when you contribute assets to one. You can recommend grants to TFHS from this type of tax-free investment fund.
• Gifts from a matching gift program: Double your donation to TFHSF. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that will match any charitable contribution made by their employees. Often, the match ratio is 1:1, so by taking advantage of such a program, you can effectively double the impact of your gift.

You can always reach out to the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation by emailing [email protected] or calling (530) 582-6277.

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!

“I’ve had cancer for 4 years and come here every month. It’s actually become something I look forward to. The staff feel like friends and the reception is so warm. It’s a wonderful center”

“Tahoe Forest has a solid reputation amongst EMS providers so it’s a no brainer decision when I was injured. The weekend staff was courteous and doc Krause was detailed and didn’t feel like he was rushing.”

“Our experience was awesome! All the nurses and doctors are amazing! We all felt so comfortable and all our questions were answered. We felt all the support and Lucie was taken care of like she was part of a family. Surgery is always scary, but we felt supported and Lucie was taken care of with love and kindness!”

“Dr. Celia Sutton-Pado is the best family doctor, caring, attentive, answering & explaining my questions in a manner that is well understood! I appreciate her over and above for her genuine character, knowledge, experience and more!! You are very fortunate to have her on board!!”

“This will be my 3rd surgery @ Tahoe [Forest] – having been a past medical professional practitioner, I know when I’m in the care of the BEST and Dr. Ringnes & Staff are the reason I travel 80 mi to be in your care.”

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 [email protected].

If you are not on our electronic mailing list, sign up to receive our quarterly TFHS Foundation eNewsletter.