For Immediate Release: April 3, 2012
Mary McClellan Foundation Awards $125,100 to Area Nonprofits to Address Health Care Needs in Southern Washington County and Town of Hoosick
The Mary McClellan Foundation is pleased to announce the award of $125,100 in grants in 2011to area nonprofit groups to address the health and wellness needs of residents in Southern Washington County and the Town of Hoosick. This represents a 1.8% increase over 2010 in grant monies awarded.
In 2011, the MMF continued to focus significant support on improving the efficiency and accuracy of medical care records through the use of electronic technology the region. A $72,000 grant was awarded to the Glens Falls Hospital which recorded over 57,900 patient visits in 2011 to continue to implement a more comprehensive Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System. As Glens Falls Hospital rolls out this EMR system throughout the organization, MMF funds will be specifically allocated to purchase hardware and software for the Greenwich Regional Medical Center and Family Health Centers in Cambridge, Salem and Hoosick Falls. A $10,100 grant was also awarded to the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad primarily to purchase and install equipment and software to enable Emergency Medical Responders to use an electronic medical record system in regional ambulances, thereby speeding transmission of vital data to receiving hospitals.
Alan Wrigley, Board President noted, “The MMF is pleased to continue to support area medical providers’ efforts to develop and utilize more comprehensive electronic medical record systems. Such practices will lead to improved quality and better coordinated care for our residents; streamline and promote efficiencies in our local medical establishments; allow for a greater focus on patient wellness; and identify area health trends in Southern Washington County. We look forward to learning the results of these efforts in the coming years.”
Finally, area rescue squads also received support for valuable life saving equipment and training, necessitated by the significantly longer transport time to area hospitals due to the closure of the Mary McClellan Hospital. The Easton-Greenwich Rescue Squad will receive a $15,000 grant to purchase carbon monoxide detectors for three ambulances; the Salem Rescue Squad will receive a $15,000 grant to purchase a Stryker Power Stretcher; and the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad will receive a $3,500 grant to purchase Emergency Incident Rehabilitation sector equipment for first responders. In addition, a $9,500 grant to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad will procure equipment and professional services for Enhanced EMS Training for local EMS providers in the region.
Founded in 1989, The Mary McClellan Foundation, Inc. (MMF), once primarily supported the efforts of the Mary McClellan Hospital, which closed in 2003. The Foundation was dormant during the Hospital’s bankruptcy proceedings and was revived under a new board of directors in 2007. The income generated from the Foundation’s assets is used to support the healthcare needs of the community once served by the Hospital.
For more information about the MMF see www,Marymcclellanfoundation.org or send an email to info@marymcclellanfoundation.org.
