Foundation Grants Continue to Support Capital Needs

Patients with lung disorders are receiving more thorough and exact evaluations thanks to equipment purchased with a $100,000 grant from the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation.

Two Vmax Pulmonary Function instruments have been installed in Munson Medical Center's Pulmonary Diagnostic Labs. Each week, as many as 50 patients who have breathing difficulties are being evaluated with the upgraded technology.

Pulmonary patients at Munson Medical Center are now being evaluated with advanced diagnostic equipment purchased with a grant from the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation.

"This is the latest 'state of the art' system for testing patients' lung capacity," said Director of Pulmonary Services Lee Olewinski.

"Reports generated by this instrument allow physicians to diagnose and treat patients suffering with restrictive or obstructive lung disease. This technology promptly gives physicians the information they need to see if the patient is qualified for surgery, or to begin pulmonary treatments."

The instruments also show if a patient's airway will improve with bronchodilator medications and help physicians understand how well oxygen is being transferred from the patient's lungs into the bloodstream, Olewinski said. The units include computer software that will soon make it possible to enter testing results and physician interpretations directly into the patient's electronic medical records.

"We are very pleased and proud of this technology and appreciate the grant from the Munson Foundation to upgrade our pulmonary function testing capabilities here at Munson Medical Center," said Olewinski.

The Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation Board awarded $127,250 in grants during fiscal year 2004 for Munson Healthcare's capital needs and to support various women's health funds.

The $100,000 used for the purchase was generated from the Foundation's investment income. This is the second year that the Foundation directed a $100,000 grant to fund a capital need. Last year's grant was used to purchase an infant security system for Munson Medical Center.

The Foundation Board redirected its grant dollars toward basic capital needs two years ago. The change was in recognition of the increased role philanthropy will play in light of increased costs and declining revenue.

"We have earmarked what funds we can to help the hospital purchase equipment that might not otherwise be funded," said Ruth Bloomer, Regional Foundation manager.

The remaining $27,250 awarded in grants this year came from funds raised through the 2003 Women's Health Classic and Michigan PGA Women's Open. Those grants included:

• $7,500 to Munson Medical Center's Social Work Department for cribs for disadvantaged women and their infants, to fund basic needs for women in health-related crises, and to provide financial assistance to families of children diagnosed with an acute illness
  
• $250 to "Case of Love" to provide satin pillowcases for chemotherapy/radiation patients with hair loss
  
• $2,500 to Leelanau Memorial HealthCenter to increase mammogram availability to the women in Leelanau County
  
• $4,000 to the Women's Cardiac Rehab Fund to support cardiac rehabilitation for women who cannot afford the care
  
• $8,000 to Grand Traverse County Health Department for its Women's Unmet Health Needs Fund
  
• $5,000 to the Lymphedema Program at Munson Medical Center to provide post therapy patients with appropriate garments
  

"Funds raised recently during the 2004 Women's Health Classic and the Michigan PGA Women's Open will be used to fund future grants focusing on women's health care needs," Bloomer said. "People who support those events have a very real and direct impact on the lives of women in our community."