Last week, we alerted you to the fact that Rockford’s very own Swedish American was a sponsor of the Rockford Pride Fest 2012.  We have been informed that while there is a close association, there is an organizational distinction between Swedish American Health System and Swedish American Foundation.  

John R. Mecklenburg, Executive Vice President of the The Swedish American Foundation tells us that the hospital is a sponsor, “but the Foundation (with a separate Board, etc.) is NOT a sponsor.”  

Mr. Mecklenburg contacted the Rockford Pride Fest organizers and asked that the Foundation’s logo be removed from their web site as a sponsor.  We also have removed the Foundation’s contact information and have apologized for the misunderstanding. which he graciously accepted.

To those of you who have taken action on this important issue, thank you!  Your email message was, in fact, successfully sent to Swedish American’s Health System’s public relations. 

However, if you haven’t yet taken a few minutes to communicate your displeasure with Swedish American’s support, please do so now.

Take ACTION:  Click HERE to let Swedish American Health System know that their support of the Rockford Pride Fest will undermine its mission and damage its reputation.  Supporting destructive unhealthy behavior and divisive events contradicts the mission of a healthcare organization.