September 23, 2016
If you’ve ever wondered why a hospital operates a foundation, you are not alone. Many people don’t know that Marshall Medical Centers is a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital system. Dollars raised by a foundation can make a big difference in the quality of healthcare rural medical centers are able to offer.
“The Foundation and fund raising are major parts of our hospitals,” Andrea Oliver, director of The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers, told a group of seniors at a GoldCare55+ lunch n’ learn Thursday.
Medical providers everywhere are struggling financially. With healthcare costs rising and reimbursements declining, hospitals must go after every dollar they can get to continue operating.
“There’s not much more than fundraising we can do to keep our doors open,” Oliver said.
In Marshall County, 27 percent of residents are uninsured. They still require medical care whether they can pay for it or not. Marshall Medical is committed to caring for all people, regardless of their ability to pay. That translates to 11 percent of hospital patients being treated for free, she said.
One third of
hospitals lose money every year and slowly are being forced to close their
doors. Fortunately, that is not true for Marshall Medical, which contributes an
economic impact of $277 million every year to the county, including the
employment of more than 1,300 people.
It is a tremendous resource for a community of 80,000 people to have two hospitals, a cancer center, and a professional center with wound, sleep and rheumatology clinics.
“We are really well served here,” Oliver said. “We are very proud of that at Marshall Medical Centers. We like to say we can compete with any hospital in the world.”
The Foundation serves as a bridge between the hospital system and the community. Its mission is to bring the resources necessary for MMC to take care of its patients and their families. To do that, it hosts four annual events:
Pink Pumpkin Run
Fishing tournament
Winter Ball
Women’s Guild Health Luncheon
Oliver encouraged the group to attend the upcoming Pink Pumpkin Run at Civitan Park on Oct. 29. It’s not just for runners, she said.
“You can just show up and eat pancakes.”
The Foundation also is known for its extensive community outreach efforts, including:
Scholarships for high school seniors planning a career in healthcare
Co-hosting an annual dinner for cancer survivors
MAP – free mammograms for women who cannot afford one
Quality of Life Program – paying for necessities like food or crutches for needy people leaving the hospital
Facility enhancements – purchasing equipment for hospitals
Oliver said reports show that last year Americans gave more money to charity than ever before. Of the more than $373 billion in donations in 2015, 71 percent was given by individuals.
“People are as generous as ever, especially in our community,” she said.
For more information on The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers visit the website http://www.foundationformmc.org/ or contact Andrea Oliver at (256)571-8026 or email andrea.oliver@mmcenters.com.