Fundraising begins for a portable ultrasound for Pinedale Clinic
by Wendy Friend, Rural Health Foundation of Sublette County
February 18, 2013
The Board of Directors for Rural Health Foundation of Sublette County (RHF) is excited to announce their first capital campaign for the Sublette County Rural Health Care District (SCRHCD). It is the Mindray M7 handcarried Diagnostic ultrasound system.
In December last year, the physcians of the Pinedale Clinic asked the RHF for help in raising funds for an ultrasound machine which they were in great need of. Dr. Buck Wallace, an emergency trained MD states, "This is a necessity here in Pinedale, especially in cases of multiple trauma or cardiac arrest. We absolutely need this machine to make accurate and efficient diagnoses on some patients. Currently, we have to send these patients out to other facilities to get these tests done. This costs valuable time and resources that we cannot afford to lose."
The M7 Ultrasoud Machine will also help with non-emergency needs as well, and could potentially create over $100,000 dollars in additional income yearly to the SCRHC District, as ultrasounds are a billable service through most insurance companies. "We were happy to hear from the doctors and hope to raise the funds as soon as possible so we can get this most valuable piece of equipment in our clinic. Also, because it is portable, we can take it anywhere it is needed, in the field or otherwise," said RHF Director, Wendy Friend, RN.
The cost of the Ultrasound Machine is approximately $43,000. "The RHF Board is hoping to make this appeal to the entire community. We want this equipment available for your family and for ours. Please help us raise these funds," Friend stated. For more information on how you can help, please call 307-231-5855, email the RHF at rhfdirector@wyoming.org, or mail your tax-deductible contribution to RHF, PO Box 1709, Pinedale, WY, 82941.
The Rural Health Foundation of Sublette County was created in January of 2010, with support from the Sublette County Rural Health Care District, to provide a vehicle for raising charitable funds to support the mission of the SCRHCD, the Countyʼs only municipal healthcare and EMS provider. The RHF will operate as a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, closely affiliated with the SCRHCD, but separately governed and managed.
Throughout Wyoming and across the United States, most healthcare organizations, both public and private, have charitable foundations that raise funds to support capital projects, establish endowments, purchase medical equipment, and fund medical research, as well as support many other goals and projects. The mission of the RHF is to acquire and manage assets in support of the SCRHCDʼs mission to provide accessible, progressive, patient focused healthcare in a positive environment. Funds raised by the RHF will be used for projects that improve healthcare in the county, but are not part of the general operating budget of the SCRHCD. If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call 307-231-5855.
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