Giving Back to the Community
Giving back to the community and providing stewardship to our grateful donors.
As a not-for-profit health care organization MHYHC is committed to the community by giving back in the following ways, just to name a few:
- Providing free screenings, health education classes and community events
- Providing palliative care to support the chronically ill
- Underwriting charity care to the underinsured, uninsured and those that cannot afford to pay for healthcare – to the tune of over $10M /yr.
Howard Young Foundation, Inc. is growing, but we know we have much, much more to do.
Howard Young Foundation, Inc. (HYF) is a charitable, not-for-profit health care organization established in 1984 to actively build and sustain philanthropic support for the health and wellness initiatives in the communities served. HYF provides funding for health related services and programs for Howard Young Medical Center and Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital, making a positive and long lasting impact on the Northwoods area.
Fulfilling the Vision…
On behalf of our proud donors HYF recently funded a number of MHYHC requests, including but not limited to the following:
Howard Young Medical Center & Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital
Recently Funded Initiatives
- In August 2012, the Foundation provided $1.2M in funding for a new da Vinci® robotic surgical system for HYMC. The da Vinci price tag totaled $2.4 million. The Foundation and Ministry split the cost, each contributing $1.2 million. This is a gift from the community to the community in every aspect. Donors to the Foundation, including hospital employees, physicians and especially the people of this community who made charitable gifts in support of the Foundation’s Special Gift Initiative made this a reality. Without this generous support, bringing the da Vinci to the Northwoods would have never been possible. Patients across the Northwoods and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan now have access to state-of-the-art surgical technology that was previously unavailable this close to home. No longer will patients and their families have to drive hours for procedures that can be done here. HYMC is now the second Ministry hospital to offer robotic surgery, joining Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI where the technology has been in place for several years.
The da Vinci surgery system allows the hospital to provide surgeons with state-of-the-art technology that can be applied in a comprehensive, minimally invasive surgical program across multiple specialties including procedures in gynecology, urology, and general surgery. Patients benefit from improved clinical outcomes, reduced pain, complications, and a quicker return to normal activities. The minimally invasive incisions also mean patients will heal faster and have shorter hospital stays.
- Four high fidelity patient simulators which represent the latest in technology valued at more than $100,000. Patient safety is of critical concern and simulation is now the preferred model for training of physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. Designated scenarios provide real-time situations and allow professionals to develop critical thinking and skills to respond to emergency situations away from the bedside. Simulators for adult, infant and pediatric systems closely mimic the physiologic functions of a human being. Some key features include: automatic drug reaction; lung, heart, and bowel sounds; real time heart rhythm; defibrillator capable; seizures and convulsions; speech capable; color change with intervention; eyes react to light; active airway manipulation; IV capable; bleeding capable; catheterization/urine capable; pulses; blood pressure and pulse oximetry register as real. The Birthing Simulator also includes: birth to a newborn; delivery in four different positions; the ability to simulate many fetal emergencies; and can produce fetal heart tones. Treating a critically ill infant requires a unique skill set that can only come from hands-on, real time experience. Knowing what to look for and how to find answers – quickly with no mistakes – is essential. All of the simulators are life size, providing another element of reality for clinicians. This kind of experience cannot come from critical care situations in practice. The stakes are simply too high and the patients too precious.
- A portable ventilator valued at approximately $18,000 for use in the ambulance that transfers patients between Howard Young Medical Center and other hospitals. The LTV 1200 Ventilator by Pulmonetics Systems provides advanced respiratory support to patients in the Northwoods that are transported from smaller hospitals to tertiary care centers, such as Saint Clare’s in Weston, or Saint Joseph’s and Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Marshfield.
This ventilator will provide lifesaving treatment to many individuals as they travel the highways from northern Wisconsin to the central region for care, or even for transfer of patients to other northern region hospitals for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The portable ventilator is capable of breathing for a patient when they are unable to breathe on their own.
- A LifeNet System valued at approximately $30,000 to combine powerful data collection software with a rugged, touch-screen mobile PC. This system enables EMS teams and first responders to electronically capture patient information at the scene of an emergency and wirelessly transfer it to clinical and operational staff for in-depth data management and reporting. With the new LifeNet system installed in ambulances, the vital signs and EKG readings of a patient who is suspected of having a heart attack are remotely transmitted from the ambulance to the hospital emergency room.
- A new treadmill valued at approximately $4,100 to be used by the patients of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs at Howard Young Medical Center. Patients who have some type of heart event such as stents, bypass surgery, or heart attack are typically referred to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
This new treadmill is designed to perform at a rate of use of several hours per day, as many patients spend their entire session exercising on the treadmill. Upon completion of their program, patients are given the opportunity to participate in the Fit For Life Program to continue building on the physical condition they have achieved. This program is a supervised exercise program designed for people who have health concerns or medical conditions such as: heart disease, arthritis, being overweight, fibromyalgia, diabetes, orthopedic conditions, and high blood pressure. The program is also open to healthy people who are: senior, and would like more individualized attention; or the spouse of a person in the program. All sessions are supervised by the cardiac rehabilitation staff.
Physical Rehabilitation Center
- Purchased of a Stiwell Med4 muscle re-education stimulator for a cost of $8,000. Functional electrotherapy promotes the rehabilitation of motor functions following a stroke or after damages to the central nervous system. The Stiwell Med4 offers the ability to process myoelectric signals with four independently adjustable stimulation channels and two measurement channels. This ability allows the Med4 to be used for a broad field of applications ranging from neurological indications to incontinence therapy.
- Purchase of Viasys AVEA Ventilator & Infant continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) software for approximately $22,000. The purpose of CPAP is to establish normal functional-residual-capacity (FRC) during spontaneous breathing. CPAP can be applied either invasively or non-invasively using a wide range of devices.
While many tiny babies born with severe lung disease and other complications of prematurity require invasive ventilator support, certain patients may benefit from a non-invasive approach incorporating bi-level nasal CPAP and avoid the need for intubation. AVEA is the first generation of integrated life support systems meeting the needs of all neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.
- Equipment and furnishings for the Birthing Center to include a Medala Baby Weigh Scale II and three Safe Rocker Gliders valued at more than $2,600. Precise electronic measurement of a baby’s weight just before and just after breastfeeding as well as to monitor overall weight and development is essential to infant health.
Safe rocker glider chairs feature a fully enclosed tip-resistant base and an extra-wide seat and extra-density foam cushions to keep new mothers comfortable while rocking their babies to sleep. Side pockets in the arm allow for storing supplies close at hand and removable cushions are easy to clean.
- ARJO Maxi Move modular lifter at a cost of more than $6,000 to gain a more efficient solution for the basic tasks of patient handling – lifting and repositioning. This system has two unique features – a stable vertical system (SVS) and a dynamic positioning system (DPS), which together provide the safest, most comfortable basis for complete transfers – from the initial lift through to effortless fine-tuning of the patient’s posture. This battery-powered passive sling lifter allows a single care giver to safely manage a wide range of patient handling routines. The stability of Maxi Move provides strong support for everyday handling routines as well as for more demanding tasks such as transferring heavy patients or lifting supine patients on stretchers.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Monitor
- In order to provide women the highest quality breast care, in March 2011, HYMC started offering digital mammography services. Howard Young Foundation, Inc. provided HYMC $20,000 towards the purchase of a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Monitor.
With the addition of this upgraded stereotactic breast biopsy equipment and technology, patients will receive the highest quality screening, diagnostic and procedural mammography services in northern Wisconsin. One in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Initially a screening mammogram is completed and if there are any suspicious areas found on initial screening, further testing is needed. A stereotactic breast biopsy is the only definitive way to tell if a change in breast tissue is a benign breast condition or cancer. According to the American College of Radiology (ACR) 10 percent of screening mammograms need additional diagnostic work up with stereotactic breast biopsy. Of those women who need a stereotactic breast biopsy, 80 percent are found to be benign.
“We are pleased that we can offer women the spectrum of breast care testing at one location,” said Laura Magstadt, RN, MSN Senior Director, Patient Care Services. “This is often an emotional time for patients, and having all the diagnostic services right here at Howard Young Medical Center enables us to provide diagnostic services to them as soon as possible.”
“The Howard Young Foundation is pleased to support this upgrade in technology, as it is essential to offer the best possible diagnostic services right here in our own community,” said John Lund, Howard Young Foundation, Inc. “The philanthropic support we received from our communities with our year-end appeal is very special and is greatly appreciated. Charitable Support from our community that helps to advance medical and patient care programs is extremely significant to the HYF. Community support signifies the value placed on the healthcare of this community.” Howard Young Foundation, Inc. raises philanthropic support to help the hospital fund and advance healthcare services and technology to provide the very best possible care that changes lives and even saves lives in our communities.
