February 2026
Caregivers throughout St John of God Health Care bring our shared Mission to life in many different ways - through compassionate care, dedicated service, and by fostering the generosity that supports it.
Three St John of God Foundation team members reflect on the moments that inspire them and the purpose they find in their work.
We spoke to Rachel Bruechle, Director of Community Engagement:
How did you come to work in fundraising?
Rachel: “People find their way into fundraising for many reasons, often through a shared desire to help others or to respond to something deeply personal.
This is why we find our workplace is filled with people from diverse backgrounds, each shaped by their own pivotal moments.
My own path was shaped by family illness, which taught me that the most precious things in life are time, love and good health. Playing even a small part in giving someone hope for a better quality of life, or more time with loved ones, is both motivating and humbling.
This sense of purpose is woven through every story in this newsletter. It also reflects why gratitude is at the heart of so many gifts we receive from people whose lives have been touched by compassionate care in our hospitals and services.
It’s this shared hope, between those who give and those who receive, that continues to inspire me and keeps me grounded in why this work matters.”
We asked Halina Dorward, Associate Director of Philanthropy:
How do you hope our work makes a positive impact for patients, families or the community?
Halina: “Having recently transitioned from educational fundraising into the healthcare sector, I am really enjoying the personal impact philanthropy has on the patients in our care. I hope our work strengthens the support that patients and families feel during their most vulnerable moments. By connecting our donors with projects that enhance patient-centred care, compassion and excellence, we help create real and immediate benefits for our community.
What inspires me most is the feeling you get when you walk into a St John of God hospital, it is felt in the extra steps our caregivers take, and the mission and values lived each day. For me, this is how I know I’ve found somewhere very special to work.”
Let’s hear from Meeta Kumar, Finance Manager:
What do you love most about being part of St John of God Foundation?
Meeta: “What I love most about being part of St John of God Foundation is knowing that the work we do directly transforms people’s lives.
Every day, I’m surrounded by people who genuinely care, and it’s inspiring to be part of an organisation where compassion is lived, not just spoken.
As the Finance Manager, I’m motivated by the responsibility of ensuring strong stewardship of donor funds and enabling resources to be used where they can make the greatest impact.
It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the work I do behind the scenes helps deliver better patient care, advance medical research and support the community in meaningful, lasting ways.”