Fry Foundation buys portable x-ray
 |
| Delrene Daniels, Blanche Studer, Janis Kerby, Phyllis Karnes, Teresa Rae, Linda Hiatt |
Bill Blumenauer, radiologic technologist at Boundary Community Hospital, pointed out how the machine was so much more mobile than the previous portable x-ray machine.
“It’s smaller so we can get manipulate it around all the other equipment in the emergency department room and it is two generations newer than the old one. This is so much easier to use for the technologist and so much more comfortable for the patient,” enthused Bill.
Craig Johnson, Boundary Community Hospital’s administrator, presented the need of a portable x-ray machine to the Board of Directors of Fry Healthcare Foundation in August.
The cost was $26,000, not an easy amount of money to come up with. But the need was great. The previous portable x-ray machine served five hard-working years, but it met its last days several months ago.
Without a portable x-ray machine, radiologic technologist carefully wheeled emergency room patients to the elevator and downstairs to the stationery x-ray, increasing time to potentially critical time-sensitive medical treatment.
During a discussion about the need for a portable x-ray machine at the Boundary Community Hospital Board of Trustee meeting, member Blanche Studer suggested Fry Healthcare Foundation might be willing to purchase one.
Fry Healthcare Foundation has raised over a million dollars since their inception in 1994. They spend their money as quickly as they raise it, all on purchases to improve the healthcare of the community by supplying needed items at the hospital, including equipment and upkeep for the Extended Care Facility.
Yes, Fry Healthcare Foundation did have enough money. The successful Golf Tournament in June had added enough to the treasury balance to allow for the purchase.
So, the purchase was made and the outcome is that the community will benefit during emergency medical treatment.
Everything is now expedited; the General Electric AMX Solutions x-ray machine scoots freely, making it quick to position correctly. The x-ray tube can be manipulated into small spaces and the tube arm moves around to be positioned quickly.
The Fry Healthcare Foundation is moving on to their next community-wide fundraiser, The Festival of Trees.
Teresa Rae is this year’s Festival of Trees Director. A graduate of West Point Academy and one of the top leads in supply deployment in Iraq, Teresa knows how to lead and organize.
Marcia Morman, Community Relations Coordinator for Boundary Community Hospital, says “The community support of Festival of Trees has always been overwhelming.
"The Festival of Trees began in 1995 and grew throughout the years under skilled leadership. It continues today as vibrant as ever. It is fun to see all the myriad committees come to together to pull off the big Gala Night. Community giving is the keystone to the entire effort.
"We are hoping to exceed last year’s fundraising of $46,000. We want to thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Everyone pulling together is what enhances our local rural hospital. Boundary County taxes constitute only 1% of the annual operating budget of the hospital. The rest comes from the community. The name, Boundary Community Hospital, is not a misnomer. Our hospital is truly a hospital of the community, for the community.”