Since 1889, when Mrs. Elizabeth Hayne, her husband, Roger, and their friend, Dr. Edward Saunders, created what is known today as Bethesda Health Group, our organizational goals have included caring for our community and meeting the needs of those who can benefit from our services.

At Bethesda, we strive every day to foster successful aging through compassion and innovation. It’s our Vision Statement, and it exemplifies the commitment of our employees and our volunteers toward our residents, their families and the St. Louis community.

We pride ourselves in engaging in partnerships and activities that benefit the St. Louis community. Whether we’re participating or sponsoring a community activity, or providing counseling and support, we at Bethesda take our role as a community leader quite seriously.

Bethesda Health Group Foundation – Our Charitable Commitment

Bethesda’s social responsibility wouldn’t be complete without the Bethesda Health Group Foundation and the provision of humanitarian care. In keeping with our charitable commitment, Bethesda has provided millions of dollars ($13.3 million in 2020) to those seniors who have outlived their assets and are unable to pay for the full cost of care they receive from us.

Thanks to the efforts of the Foundation staff, and the generosity of the Bethesda employees, volunteers and the residents and their families and friends, our residents will always have a home with Bethesda.

Meals on Wheels

Bethesda continues to be part of the St. Louis “Meals on Wheels” program. Volunteers gather at Bethesda Dilworth and Bethesda Southgate, and coordinate meal delivery to the needy throughout the community. Annually, Bethesda staff and volunteers help account for the distribution of more than 20,000 meals.

Veterans Recognition and Community Support

Between candle lighting and pinning ceremonies coordinated through Bethesda Hospice Care for Veterans who live in our own communities, and our active involvement with Jefferson Barracks and the St. Louis Honor Flights to Washington D.C., Bethesda recognizes and honors those who served our country.

We also offer free Veterans Support Groups, which are open to the general community as well as to our residents and their families. Facilitated by trained Bethesda staff members, these groups meet at various Bethesda communities, and provide comfort and support for all who attend.

Bethesda’s Veterans – residents and volunteers – have served as “educators” as part of the Lindbergh High School “History Alive” program. Their participation helps hundreds of high school students annually learn about World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars by seeing and hearing first-hand what it was like to have served.

Partnership Groups of a Like-Minded Mission

Imagine seeing nearly 200 people walking in a sea of orange through downtown St. Louis on a crisp September morning. For the Bethesda employees, volunteers and residents who attended the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, imagination isn’t necessary. Their participation raises thousands of dollars to help support a community partner that shares our mission of caring for seniors and their families.

The local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is just one of the many organizations with which Bethesda partners. We host support groups (American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Huntington’s Disease Society), and annually support fundraising events (St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired). And our employees, including the majority of our Senior Management, will even dump water on their heads (ALS – the Ice Bucket Challenge) for a worthwhile cause.

Our Partners

  • Alzheimer’s Association (St. Louis chapter)
  • ALS (St. Louis chapter)
  • American Heart Association
  • American Parkinson Disease Association (St. Louis chapter)
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Huntington’s Disease Society (St. Louis chapter)
  • Jefferson Barracks
  • Jewish Community Center (Senior Olympics)
  • LeadingAge (national professional organization)
  • LeadingAge Missouri (professional organization)
  • Lindbergh School District
  • Local Chambers of Commerce
  • Local Municipalities
  • Meals on Wheels of Greater St. Louis
  • Minority Advocacy Coalition
  • National Kidney Foundation
  • SAGE Metro St. Louis (LGBT older adults)
  • St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE)
  • St. Louis Area – Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America
  • St. Louis Community College
  • St. Louis Regional Chamber
  • St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Senior Round Table (Webster Groves)
  • Shepherd’s Center
  • Special School District of St. Louis County
  • United Way of Greater St. Louis
  • VOYCE (formerly the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program)

Bethesda by the Numbers

  • 457 Volunteers
  • 24,000 Volunteer Hours