Pullman Regional Hospital has established a COVID-19 Fund and published a list of needed medical supplies seeking support from the community.
The emergency fund provides the hospital immediate funding for equipment, supplies and hospital operations to offset the loss in revenue from reduced surgical and outpatient procedures—a projected loss of nearly $10 million.
“The response from our community has been remarkable,” said CEO Scott Adams. “We are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity.”
Ed and Beatriz Schweitzer and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories have provided $200,000 in lead gifts to Pullman Regional Hospital for the COVID-19 Fund.
“Pullman Regional Hospital is critical to ensuring the wellbeing of our community. We are pleased to be able to provide support during this difficult time,” said Ed Schweitzer, president and chief technology officer of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
“We are all fortunate to have the hospital working hard to prepare to treat COVID-19 patients, as well as to continue with its other essential services for our community. These are challenging times, but we will get through this if we stick together and continue to support one another,” said Ed Schweitzer.
Early funders also include Mary Steffens Schweitzer and the Steffens Foundation. “I find myself echoing the words of Pope Francis at this time, ‘Have strength and courage,’” said Mary.
Other initial funders include the Pullman Regional Hospital Auxiliary and Gene Apperson. Currently, $400,000 has been raised for the COVID-19 Fund and more than 150 people have gifted medical supplies.
Community members have donated masks, respirators, and handsewn masks based upon a pattern developed by nuclear medicine technologist, Lyle Lowder. The hospital has received more than 3,000 of the “Legendary Lyle Masks,” following the YouTube video instructions.
Christian O’Bryan, a mechanical engineer at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories developed a design for face shields, using readily available local materials. The hospital’s OR department created 140 shields based on O’Bryan’s design.
The Pacific Northwest Farmers Group donated more than 300 N-95 masks, and College Hill Custom Thread’s Coug Store donated 20% of online apparel sales to the COVID-19 fund.
“As a public hospital, we are here for this community. We are prepared to care for this community through this challenging time and sincerely appreciate the lengths our community has gone to give back to us,” said Adams.
Learn More: www.pullmanregional.org
Contact: Alison Weigley
Assistant Director of Development, Marketing & Major Gifts
Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation
(509) 332-2041
alison.weigley@pullmanregional.org
