A $100,000 gift from the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation purchased vascular ultrasound equipment that enhances cardiovascular care at Dorchester General Hospital. Funds for the new ultrasound were raised by Dorchester General Foundation’s annual appeal as well as a $25,000 gift from the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. Thanks to this fundraising effort, the hospital has a Philips IU 22 ultrasound machine to assess blood flow through arteries and veins throughout the body.
“For three years in a row we have asked our community to help us reach fundraising goals of $100,000 for equipment needed at DGH – and each year we have met our goal – even in these challenging economic times,” said Ida Jane Baker, President of the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation. “We have some wonderful donors and without them we could not have reached this fundraising goal. Our 2011 appeal should be arriving in the mailboxes of our friends and neighbors and we hope to see the same support for the renovation of the Behavioral Health Unit at Dorchester General Hospital.”
The new ultrasound equipment- which provides more detailed images of the blood vessels- enhances the ability to diagnose and treat a variety of cardiovascular diseases.
“In addition to providing more detailed images of the blood vessels, the more compact size of the unit makes it possible for us to do the testing right in the patient’s room instead of transporting patients to the vascular lab,” said Amanda Helgason, BS, RDCS, cardiovascular sonographer. “This really creates more efficient care that’s more comfortable for our patients.”
Images and measurements taken by this ultrasound equipment are downloaded to a report and image management system, which is shared by both Shore Health System hospitals so that physicians can view the images at Dorchester General Hospital as well as at the Memorial Hospital at Easton.
The DGH Foundation has been supporting Dorchester General Hospital since 1991. Gifts to the hospital have been used to improve patient care through the addition of state of the art equipment, facility renovations and support for nursing education. In recent years, the DGH Foundation has contributed funds to bring some of the latest technology for imaging and diagnostic testing to Dorchester General Hospital Other projects benefiting from the DGH Foundation’s philanthropy include the addition of a Sleep Disorders Center and most recently a total facelift for the Multi-Specialty care unit.
“You can’t walk through our department without seeing something purchased with funds from the DGH Foundation,” said Gary Jones, Director of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services for Shore Health System. “Their incredible generosity and support has brought us important equipment and upgrades that enhance the level of care we provide the local community.”
In photo: Jerry Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, Shore Health System; Ida Jane Baker, President, Dorchester General Hospital Foundation; Gary Jones, Director, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services, Shore Health System; and Amanda Helgason, BS, RDCS, cardiovascular sonographer, Dorchester General Hospital.