Raising money for new and improved medical equipment to keep up
with the constant influx of advanced technology is seemingly
never-ending at Hazel Hawkins Hospital.
Hollister – Raising money for new and improved medical equipment to keep up with the constant influx of advanced technology is seemingly never-ending at Hazel Hawkins Hospital.
And hospital employees and volunteers are once again hard at work raising $500,000 to outfit the hospital’s new outpatient surgical wing with updated equipment. The $5 million, 7,600-foot surgical center, which officially opened its doors in July, has some of the most technologically-advanced medical equipment in Northern California, according to hospital officials.
However, some of the equipment is being transported back and forth between the outpatient surgical center and the hospital’s inpatient surgical center, and there is a need for duplicate sets of equipment, according to Joanne Hamilton, director of surgical services at Hazel Hawkins.
“Because we have capabilities of doing the same type of cases on both sides we’re consequently passing equipment to and from, and this type of movement is very hard on equipment. We put it at risk every time we move things,” Hamilton said. “We’re hoping people who feel it is worthwhile to be able to accommodate patients here in Hollister will contribute to this cause.”
The Hazel Hawkins Foundation, which provides financial resources to support the health care activities of the hospital and the Mabie Northside Skilled Nursing Facility, has raised $320,000 to date, according to director Leah Dowty.
Two county residents who recently died named the hospital in their wills, and both designated their donations – which totaled $150,000 – to be used for equipment purchases, Dowty said. The hospital auxiliary matched that amount with another $150,000, and $20,000 has been raised by hitting up individual donors, businesses and others throughout the community, she said.
“We hope to raise the rest through one-on-one meetings with surgeons, anesthesiologists and people who have supported the hospital in the past,” she said. “Employees give throughout the year, too. They can donate part of their salary and vacation hours.”
Although the surgical center has been open for months, the foundation waited to launch its campaign until Oct. 31 to not overwhelm supporters who worked on Measure L. That initiative was a voter-approved property bond passed in April which will garner $31.5 million for a complete face-lift of the hospital over 30 years.
To donate to the outpatient wing or for more information on the outpatient surgical wing, contact the Hazel Hawkins Foundation at (831) 636-2653.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
