No Change in Philanthropic Focus or Impact as Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Is Acquired by UCSF Health

The Saint Francis Foundation, the philanthropic partner to Saint Francis Memorial Hospital for more than 45 years, will continue to fund vital hospital and community health care programs following the hospital’s acquisition by UCSF Health.

The Foundation was not part of the UCSF Health purchase and remains an independent grant-making charitable foundation with its own independent board of directors and staff.

When the acquisition officially closed on August 1, 2024, Saint Francis became part of UCSF Health and has been renamed UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital. UCSF Health is committed to maintaining the hospital’s existing emergency, primary, and specialty care services and has announced plans to upgrade technology and equipment and strengthen existing cardiology and surgery programs.

“We applaud UCSF Health for their investment in Saint Francis and their commitment to furthering high-quality community health care in San Francisco,” said Saint Francis Foundation Board of Directors Chair Matthew Brady. “This marks an exciting new chapter for the City’s longest-serving downtown hospital, and the Foundation looks forward to working with UCSF in continuing to expand the hospital’s reach, excellence and impact.”

Since its founding in 1979, the Saint Francis Foundation has contributed more than $120 million to support patient, physician and staff priorities and focus areas at Saint Francis Hospital and in the surrounding community. Foundation support for acclaimed hospital programs and services – including the Gender Institute, Bothin Burn Center, Center for Sports Medicine, Gwendolyn Walsh Emergency Department, Behavioral Health and Rehabilitation services, and other patient and family programs – will continue.

The Foundation also will continue to fund community partner organizations that advance positive heath care outcomes for the medically vulnerable in San Francisco. Through grants for patient care services and capital improvements, the Foundation works to ensure that diverse and underserved populations have access to high-quality, equitable, and affordable health care both within and beyond the traditional hospital environment.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to advance local health care access, quality and equity,” said Saint Francis Foundation President Kate Smith. “Our Board and staff look forward to collaborating with UCSF Health to continue to maximize patient and family outcomes through ongoing support for the City’s critical community health ecosystem. We welcome and embrace this new partnership.”

The Foundation’s philanthropic priorities are guided by donors’ wishes and remain aligned across its four long-standing funding pillars: Medical Innovation and Transformation, Behavioral and Mental Health, Aging, and Crisis Management and Response. For additional information on the Foundation’s priorities and impact, please visit saintfrancisfoundation.org.

Media Contact: Julia Ludwig Saint Francis Foundation jludwig@saintfrancisfoundation.org 415.840.4846