The need for new equipment dominated discussion at the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation's annual general meeting, held on June 26 at the Bella Vista Inn.
Board chairperson Janice Korte announced that the foundation is hoping to raise $750,000 over the next 16-24 months as part of the hospital's Equip to Care campaign.
A portable ultrasound, colonoscopies, palliative care beds and a ceiling track lift system for the emergency department were identified as necessary equipment that needs to be purchased as soon as possible. The lift system will be a new addition and is designed to move patients who may not be able to move themselves. The rest of the equipment will be a combination of adding to existing inventory and replacing older stock.
"We do have some palliative care beds but they are quite dated," said Lorrie Bunko, the foundation's executive director. "The mattresses are specialized but aren't working the way they should be."
The foundation's annual report showed that just over $100,000 was invested into the Humboldt District Health Complex between April 2012 and March 2013. Purchases included a new gastroscope (used for examining the interior of the stomach), as well as a new warming bed for infants.
South 20 Dodge Chrysler, Discovery Motorsports and Doepker Industries were recognized for their donations to the foundation, with each company moving up to a new level based on the lifetime amount of its donations.
"They are the driving force of health care in our area," Bunko said of donors both large and small. "We have to keep getting the word out on what our needs are so they know."
"We never want to jeopardize our services," she said.
To reach the $750,000 goal, the foundation will be holding numerous fundraisers over the next two years. September should be an especially busy month, with the Friends "Fore" Health Care Charity Scramble golf tournament on Sept. 13 and the Have a Heart Walk, Run, or Bike on Sept. 29. The walk, run, or bike will have a Grey Cup theme this year.
The meeting ended with a brief speech from the openly nervous Elvircia Natlazo, a Humboldt woman who was nearly killed by her ex-husband in an April 2011 incident in which she was stabbed nearly 40 times. She spoke about how a comprehensive medical team, from doctors to occupational therapists to mental health professionals have helped both her and her children.
Ligaments in her hand were slashed as she defended herself during the attack and she mentioned how physical therapy and constant support from hospital staff has helped her through the healing process. "I'm there so often that they should just name one of the rooms after me," she said to laughs from the 50 people on hand.
"The people at the hospital saved my life," Natlazo added. "There's not much more I can say than that."
