Sid Simmonds, CPA, Board Chair of the VHC Health Foundation, delivers remarks to fellow donors at a Foundation fundraiser.

 

ARLINGTON, Va. — For Sid Simmonds, CPA, an Arlington native, supporting VHC Health is more than philanthropy; it’s a part of his life story.

Raised in Arlington, he has watched what was once Arlington Hospital grow alongside the community into the health system it is today.

“Six members of my family, including myself, were born at the hospital,” he said.

That connection evolved from personal experience to a deep commitment to VHC Health through service and leadership.

A Longstanding Dedication to VHC Health

“I have been involved as a volunteer since about 1983,” he explains. “I started on the Arlington Hospital Foundation Board and served on the VHC Health System Board for 24 years—20 of these as Vice Chairman.” His generosity began with a simple act over 40 years ago.

In 1986, he made his first gift to the hospital: $10 to the intensive care unit.

“The realization of how important this organization is for our community inspired me to give,” Sid said. That meaningful contribution marked the beginning of nearly four decades of giving and leadership that have helped shape the future of healthcare in the community he calls home.

Today, he serves as Chair of the VHC Health Foundation Board. He helps guide philanthropic efforts that support the health system’s continued growth.

“I hope that I can help VHC Health meet needs as they arise,” he said. “Whether it’s short or long term, large or small program.”

Gratitude for The Difference Each Person at VHC Health Makes

After decades of engagement with VHC Health, his appreciation extends across the health system.

“I am grateful for the entire organization, from clinical care through administration,” he says.

It is that comprehensive view—from frontline caregivers to operational leadership—that has shaped his belief in the system’s strength and the importance of supporting it.

Looking Toward the Future of the Community’s Health

As VHC Health continues to grow from a single hospital into a comprehensive health system serving the Washington-D.C. metropolitan region, Sid’s focus remains on ensuring the organization can respond to each community’s unique healthcare needs. It is also a reminder that community health systems thrive when the communities they serve step forward to support them.