CareSource President and CEO Leads Fundraising Efforts for Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton

Dayton has become an important hub for pediatric health care with increased outpatient and specialty services driving growth. Early in 2022, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Dayton initiated plans to raise $25 million to build a new 42-room facility. Housing is a critical component of the continuum of care, but their current 14-room facility across from Dayton Children’s Hospital’s main campus is unable to meet the growing need for its services.

“Last year Ronald McDonald House had to turn away 63% of the families that came to us for housing. Expanding our capacity is significant to the strategic growth of our region’s health care sector and necessary to support the hundreds of families who travel to Dayton each year for their child’s medical care,” said Rita Cyr, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton.

CareSource President and CEO, Erhardt Preitauer and his wife, Kili Preitauer, Midwest Region President at ValueHealth, serve as co-chairs of the Ronald McDonald House Dayton capital campaign.

“My family benefited from the Ronald McDonald House when I was growing up and I have seen firsthand how much they help families who are going through tough circumstances. We also see the unmet need in the community,” said Erhardt. “Kili and I are really proud to be a part of this campaign to make sure Ohio families can come to Dayton to get the treatment their kids need.”

This week, the Ronald McDonald House accepted a signature gift that completes Phase I of their capital campaign. The managed care organizations joined together through their collective impact model to contribute $13 million. The gift is the largest ever received by Ronald McDonald House Dayton and will allow construction on the new house to begin more than six months ahead of schedule.

“Erhardt and Kili were essential to reaching this significant milestone, in record time,” explained Cyr. “We are so grateful for their passion for this project and for the support from Ohio’s Medicaid managed care plans. Their collective effort demonstrates their commitment to meeting the needs of Ohio’s kids and families who rely on our services.”