Blog | Cerner Charitable Foundation

School's out! Looking back on the year

Cerner Charitable Foundation understands that healthy students make better learners. However, life circumstances can ultimately keep children from accessing essential healthcare and developing their full health potential. Through our school health and wellness programs, we strive to close the gaps in care.

Healthier Tomorrows - 2021 Annual Report

When Cerner associates work and volunteer together, we can make a big difference in our communities and help health happen. Thanks to the generosity of Cerner, its associates and partners, 2021 was a successful year of striving toward making that vision a reality, and 2022 is shaping up to be another incredible year!

Building stronger communities across the pond

In my near two-decade experience with Cerner’s foundation, I have seen that corporate philanthropy is the bridge between business and loving your community.

Connecting the Dots for Healthier Tomorrows

We believe healthier students make better learners. Students engaging in regular physical activity focus better in class, have better grades, fewer absences, and improved cognitive performance.

The Season of Giving

Cerner Charitable Foundation continued our strong tradition of giving back during the holiday season. During the months of November and December, our team organizes a series of give-back options for Cerner associates that benefited children and families across the US. Here are a few highlights from this year’s Holiday Giving initiative!

Volunteering with Pride

Volunteers drive change in their communities by lending their time and talents. Cerner Charitable Foundation is working to enhance our global communities by helping our neighbors in need. Recently, the foundation sponsored the Habitat for Humanity Pride Build in Kansas City.

Supplies for a Successful School Year

Annually, Cerner Charitable Foundation organizes a Back-to-School campaign aimed at preparing students for the upcoming school year. This drive supplies children with everything they need to kick the school year off on the right foot!

Operation Safe: Road to Recovery

“Thank you for giving us hope.” A patient said that to me at the first Operation Safe vaccination clinic, and the sentiment has been echoed by countless others throughout the 12 weeks, 32 clinics and nearly 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines administered since.

Looking Back at a Year of COVID-19

Over the last year, COVID-19 has changed nearly every aspect of our daily lives, created previously inconceivable challenges and shown us what’s possible when we all come together. To address needs created by the pandemic, our team at Cerner Charitable Foundation stepped up to provide relief.

Celebrating 25 Years of Philanthropy

For the last 25 years, First Hand has changed the lives of nearly 600,000 people in 93 countries around the world. As Cerner’s corporate nonprofit, we have worked to close the gaps in health care and build healthier generations. To celebrate this milestone, we're pleased to present our digital 25th anniversary book!

Announcing Cerner Charitable Foundation

This year, we celebrate the first 25 years of giving through our charitable foundation, First Hand, and look to the future. We have the exciting opportunity to evolve and broaden the foundation’s scope. With a goal to expand the foundation’s reach and advance Cerner’s impact through corporate philanthropy, First Hand Foundation is evolving to Cerner Charitable Foundation.

Closing the Gaps in Health Care – Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report

As Cerner’s charitable foundation, First Hand has worked to close the gaps in healthcare for children and families around […]

COVID-19 Relief Response

The unprecedented ripple effect of the coronavirus can be felt around the world. Healthcare systems, governments and humanitarian organizations are rushing to provide care. As Cerner’s foundation, First Hand is committed to supporting COVID-19 relief efforts in the areas where Cerner associates live and work.

The Advantage of a Healthe Classroom

Kelly Henrichs has been an elementary school nurse in the Kansas City area since 2005. Her role extends beyond providing basic health services to educating her students ...

Dreams Become Reality

Children grow up envisioning what they will do and who they will be when they are older. The children we help are no different.

A Giving Culture in a Corporate World

First Hand has always been a way for Cerner associates to give back to the community around them and fill the gaps in health care that they see in their roles. If you ask Cerner leadership, you’ll discover that First Hand is more than just a part of what Cerner does – it is the heart and soul of the organization.

No Barriers for these Students

On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Now, he shares his inspirational journey to audiences across the world as a motivational speaker and is the founder of the No Barriers movement for people facing challenges.

Providing Care with Dignity

Five-year-old Gwendolyn is a happy, kind and exuberant child whose smile, unfortunately doesn’t reflect her personality. During a free health screening at her elementary school a nurse discovered extensive decay, resulting in a dental referral for three fillings, eight stainless steel crowns as well as two root canals. Gwendolyn’s mother works full time and her father is on disability.

Imagine a World Where – Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report

Thank you for your very generous investment in First Hand! Imagine a world where children receive access to not only care, but also to proactive health and wellness programs that allow them to thrive and succeed in school, work and life. At First Hand, we are committed to creating that world.

A Culture of Giving Offers Something for Everyone

Close your eyes and think about the last time you supported your favorite charity, tossed paper in the recycling bin, or helped out a friend. Several examples probably come to mind, and you probably feel pretty good about that!

First Hand Earns Platinum Seal of Transparency

First Hand earned a 2019 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar — the world’s largest source of nonprofit information.

Building healthy generations in school, work and life

Through your support and generosity, First Hand is helping children, families and communities achieve their full health potential.

Remembering Jeanne Lillig-Patterson

We are heartbroken to share the news of Jeanne Lillig-Patterson’s passing. Today, September 4, she passed to the hands of her Lord, joining her beloved husband Neal Patterson. Jeanne lived an extraordinarily generous life as a devout Catholic who loved her family and friends dearly.

Remembering Neal Patterson

It is with a heavy heart that we write this note about the passing of Neal Patterson. After a hard-fought battle with cancer that began in January of 2016, Neal passed away on July 9th.

Jeanne Lillig-Patterson Receives Honorary Doctorate

Jeanne Lillig-Patterson, First Hand’s founder, received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater during Avila University’s May 13th commencement ceremony.