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End of Year Message from Chief Executive Officer

As we close out another year, we are grateful for the progress made in advancing health equity, improving access to and quality of care, and addressing social determinants of health for vulnerable communities across New York State.

This season of gratitude offers an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of our team and the transformative contributions made by the community-based organizations, healthcare and social services providers, and research and higher education institutions in which we invest. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides in improving access to healthcare, providing for the basic needs of individuals and families, addressing mental and behavioral health challenges, and supporting the healthcare workforce. These efforts foster well-being and ensure that children, adolescents, new mothers, the elderly, veterans, new immigrants, justice-involved individuals, and other underserved populations receive the healthcare services and support they need and deserve.

Inspired by the compassionate legacy of Mother Frances Cabrini, this year marks a significant milestone – we surpassed $1 billion in grants awarded since our first year of operation in 2019. We are deeply honored by the wide-ranging impact of our work and by hearing directly from New Yorkers about the importance of the grants we award. This moment fuels our commitment as New York’s largest health-focused foundation to look toward 2025, when we will continue making bold investments in a healthier and more equitable future for all.

A key part of our work this year was focused on uplifting and empowering the front-line workers, experts, and leaders who care for New Yorkers—our healthcare professionals. One of our proudest achievements was to launch the first-ever Mother Cabrini Health Foundation-funded report on New York State’s healthcare workforce. The research revealed critical challenges in nurse retention and recruitment, prompting a $22 million investment in workforce-strengthening programs across 21 counties—an increase of 57% over the previous year.

This research then sparked the creation of our inaugural Nursing Initiative — a multi-pronged, holistic approach to help hospitals serving underserved populations to deliver high quality care by developing healthier and more supportive work environments for nurse professionals. By prioritizing hospitals that serve high-need populations, our Nursing Initiative, which will launch in 2025, will address multiple drivers of the nursing workforce challenges hospitals face, including retention, employee satisfaction, and professional development.

We also made new, dedicated investments in several priority areas of need to improve maternal health, alleviate childhood hunger, integrate immigrants in our healthcare workforce, and provide mental health support for our rural older adults in New York. We look forward to sharing more about innovative new programs and grantee partners doing this work.

This holiday season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grantees, partners, and supporters for their trust and for sharing our vision of a safer, healthier, and more equitable New York. Thanks to all of you, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s grantmaking and impact swelled to new heights in 2024. As we turn the page to a new year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving New Yorkers and honoring the spirit of compassion that defines our mission.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Warm regards,

Msgr. Greg Mustaciuolo

Chief Executive Officer