Hospital Foundation supports new MCDH ultrasound equipment with $200,000 donation

11/24/04

On November 18, 2004, Hospital Foundation Board President Gayle Ensign presented a check for $200,000 to the Mendocino Coast District Hospital Board of Directors.  These funds were raised during this year’s Winesong event, and are being used to purchase a new state-of-the-art ultrasound machine for the hospital.

Ensign said that she was thrilled to be able to present these funds to the hospital, saying, “This is why the Foundation exists.  Our commitment is to assist the hospital in fulfilling its need to keep pace with technological changes, and to continue providing such a high level of patient care.”

Through Winesong and other fundraising within the community, the Foundation also plans to assist the hospital with its acquisition of a new CT scanner, general radiology equipment and the remodeling necessary to accommodate this new up-to-date equipment.

Jerry Wood, Manager of the Diagnostic Imaging Department at MCDH, explained how the new ultrasound machine fits into the department’s three-year plan for acquiring the new diagnostic imaging equipment.  Completing the three-year plan will cost a total of $1.5 million.

“We are very lucky to have the Foundation and community support that we do.  Diagnostic imaging plays a central role in many aspects of patient care, and having up-to-date equipment allows us to efficiently provide excellent care and to recruit qualified technologists to the area,” said Wood.

The Diagnostic Imaging Department conducts about 20,000 procedures per year, with 97% of those procedures in the areas of outpatient and emergency services. 

Wood and MCDH Board members thanked the Foundation for its partnership role in helping the hospital fund its various needs over the past 20 years.  “We look forward to continuing this important relationship for years to come,” concluded Board President Charlene McAllister.