Camas couple to be honored by PeaceHealth

A local couple will be recognized this week for extraordinary contributions to PeaceHealth and its supporting foundations.

David and Patricia Nierenberg will receive the Nat Giustina Philanthropy Award at the PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation’s annual Cascade Society Dinner. It will be held Thursday, at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver.

The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $25 per person.

Recipients of the award have made cumulative contributions of more than $1 million to PeaceHealth, and have served with distinction on one or more of PeaceHealth’s boards.

David Nierenberg served on the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Governing Board from 1997 to 2009. Patricia Nierenberg has served on the PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation Board since 2006.

In 2005, the Nierenbergs made a $15 million pledge to the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center capital campaign, one of the largest gifts ever made to a PeaceHealth hospital. David Nierenberg and E.W. Firstenburg co-chaired the capital campaign, which raised $53 million to help construct the Firstenburg Patient Tower at PeaceHealth Southwest.

The Nierenbergs’ contributions have focused on maternal and infant health, particularly the Holtzman Twins Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is named for David’s mother and aunt, who were born prematurely but survived, due to the care they received.

The Nierenbergs’ pledge included $1 million toward construction of the Patricia Nierenberg Childcare and Early Learning Center, and an additional $1 million to create a scholarship endowment. Scholarships are provided each year to PeaceHealth Southwest employees whose children are cared for at the center.

The philanthropy award is named in honor of Nat B. Giustina, who was one of the founders of the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation, in Eugene, Ore. He became one of the first lay members of the PeaceHealth Board of Directors.

Alan Yordy, president and chief mission officer for PeaceHealth, said the award is for individuals who have given substantial financial resources, as well as their time and talent over many years.

“Patricia and David are exceptional philanthropists and wonderful volunteer leaders,” Yordy said.

For more information about the Giustina Award or the Cascade Society Dinner, contact the PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation office at 514-3106, email phswfoundation@peacehealth.org, or visit https://psmcf.ejoinme.org/?tabid=684550.