Tech Citizenship

Donovan

Paul Donovan, president of Boston Scientific’s philanthropic foundation, said his favorite charitable deed is his day job. The Boston Scientific Foundation, which was established in 2002, launched its first major national grants program, the Health Disparities Initiative, in 2003. Officials say the goal is to foster patient self-management, which helps reduce the disparities in patient care available to people based on race, wealth or gender. The foundation has contributed more than $1 million in three—to five—year grants to community health centers that help patients with diabetes.

Natick-based medical device giant Boston Scientific has what Donovan calls “national and local employee community teams” around the country that solicit and identify potential grants.

“The organizations apply, and the most attractive grants are sent up to the board in Natick,” Donovan said. “Most are approved because they know the criteria, but not all.”

In the example with community health centers, Donovan said Boston Scientific monitors the grant during the year and based on feedback and results, decides whether to continue the support next year.

In 2006, a portion of the grants went toward homeless patients. Boston Scientific has partnered with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council to train clinicians to help homeless patients maintain self-management goals. Donovan credits the health-care professionals that work with the homeless in the shelters.

“For us, we’re just happy to provide the financial support,” Donovan said.

— James Zipadelli is a freelance writer based in Boston.

Citizenship Facts

Boston Scientific Corp.

Total cash contributions in New England in 2006: $11,944,468

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2006: N/A

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England: N/A

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2006: American Heart Association; Red Cross; Boston Health Care for the Homeless

Interesting philanthropic activities: The Boston Scientific Foundation launched the Health Disparities Initiative in 2003 to focus on patient self-management. To date, it has contributed more than $1 million in grants, starting with three-year grants to five community health centers that provide evidence of improved health outcomes for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and pediatric obesity.

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