Westfield Memorial Hospital thanks donors in this sign.
WESTFIELD – The Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation announces its 2024 Annual Campaign is underway, according to Dr. Kathryn Bronstein, board president.
As a major source of fund-raising for Westfield Memorial Hospital, the WMH Foundation works with the community hospital to provide financial support for the delivery of high-quality healthcare to our residents and beyond. This past year alone, the Foundation provided funding for a new concrete helipad, a portable defibrillator, kitchen flooring and supplies, surgical lights in the Emergency Department and Wound Clinic and air purifiers throughout the hospital.
WMHF Executive Director Patricia Gaughan DiPalma remarked: “The entire Foundation board and I are pleased to inform you that we reached last year’s Annual Campaign fundraising goal thanks to all our kind and generous donors! Achieving this would not have been possible without each contribution for which we remain incredibly grateful.
“We continue to need your help to fulfill our promise to continue funding for cutting-edge diagnostic equipment. If WMH is to remain a forerunner in enhanced diagnostic services, the Foundation will repeatedly be called on to fund sophisticated equipment in all hospital departments on an as needed basis,” DiPalma observed.
With that in mind, Dr. Bronstein noted, “We’d like to see more residents participate in this campaign than ever before. It’s the generosity of the people who the hospital serves who help make the difference. I challenge everyone in our hospital service area of Ashville, Bemus Point, Brocton, Chautauqua, Clymer, Dewittville, Findley Lake, Mayville, Panama, Portland, Ripley, Sherman, Stockton and Westfield to step up and take ownership of the need for state-of-the-art medical equipment for our community hospital.”
Every dollar is vital to the Foundation’s annual campaign. “If you value having a hospital close by, and if you, a friend, a neighbor, a family member or a loved one, have ever been a patient at Westfield Memorial, please make a tax-deductible donation of any size to our campaign,” said Bronstein. “Every gift is important and is greatly valued.”
“Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is now launching a multi-year fundraising effort for several pieces of imaging equipment (estimated to cost close to $1 M) that will greatly enhance the Radiology Department’s expedient diagnostic capabilities,” said DiPalma.
Please consider joining in this philanthropic effort today with a tax-deductible gift to help us meet our ongoing needs,” she continued. “The economic climate has put a strain on all parts of America’s vast, but fragmented healthcare system. And because these stresses are even more pronounced in rural communities such as ours, we recognize the importance of local funding to keep healthcare accessible to all of us and not a luxury for a few,” said DiPalma.
“It is here at WMH where we strive to continue to offer the finest 24-7 emergency services, cardiac care, physical therapy, radiology, laboratory services, diabetes education, orthopedic and wound care clinics, as well as telemedicine,” said WMH Administrator Rodney Buchanan, DNP, RN.
“For more than 82 years, Westfield Memorial Hospital has been a comforting and significant bastion of healthcare in our community. I am very proud of what we have accomplished at Westfield Memorial Hospital – especially with the help of our Foundation, currently celebrating its 46th year,” he continued.
“Having the opportunity to work with such dedicated Foundation board members, physicians, nurses, leaders, board members (on all three boards), and staff has been so rewarding to me. Together we have met many challenges directly. At the same time, we were able to better position our community hospital for the future with the help of the entire WMH Family, including our parent company, Allegheny Health Network/Highmark Health.” he continued.
A recent mailing to past and potential donors, noted the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is beginning this year’s Annual Campaign; all are invited to join in this worthwhile endeavor by returning their gift by December 31st to the WMH Foundation located at 189 E. Main St.
For those who would like to learn more about the hospital Foundation or how to give to the 2024 Annual Campaign, contact DiPalma at patricia.dipalma@ahn.org; call: 716-793-2338 or visit the foundation’s website at: www.westfieldhospitalfoundation.org, where a gift can also be given safely.