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HaysMed friends and community leaders came together Thursday, April 27, to celebrate the public announcement of the HaysMed Foundation’s $3 million “Powerful Technology, A Look Inside” Campaign.

The Campaign, led by co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra McDonald, will result in a state-of-the-art CT scanner, patient monitors, renovation of two catheterization labs, and the establishment of new endowed funds at the Foundation.“We know that the people of western Kansas understand the importance of having access to a strong and evolving medical center,” stated Debra McDonald. “We are confident that we will see our friends and supporters in western Kansas open their hearts to raise the necessary funds for these essential projects.”

HaysMed President and CEO Dr. John Jeter discussed a key component of the Campaign, a new CT scanner that replaces a 14 year-old scanner. The new large bore CT scanner captures detailed images of vital organs in only a fraction of a second while significantly reducing the radiation dose up to 82% from traditional CT scanners. The new CT can complete whole organ exams (heart, brain, liver, kidneys) with only one rotation instead of 40 required by traditional scanners.

Another part of the Campaign is the replacement of all patient monitors that will integrate with HaysMed’s electronic medical record system and offer a more comprehensive way to monitor patients’ health status.

The medical center’s two catheterization labs will also be renovated and new equipment purchased. A cardiac catheterization is performed to find out if a patient has disease of the heart muscle, valves or coronary arteries.

The fourth component of the Campaign includes the establishment of endowed funds that will produce revenue to assist with future healthcare needs of patients at HaysMed.

Matt Dreiling, President of the Foundation Board of Directors spoke about the importance of investing in the medical center and its healthcare services for now and in the future.

“It will support care for our children who get hurt in sports; the parent who has a heart attack; or a friend involved in a car accident,” stated Dreiling.

Dreiling announced that through the early, generous support of individual, business and foundation donors, the Campaign has already raised more than $1,554,000 in gifts and pledges. This includes a $500,000 gift from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan, KS and a $500,000 pledge from the Hadley Foundation of Hays.

Other major donors include Lillian Schumacher, Bank of Hays, Commerce Bank, Emprise Bank, Golden Belt Bank, and Nex-Tech Wireless. Additional gifts have been received from both HaysMed and Foundation Board members, HaysMed associates and physicians, community and area businesses and many individuals who contributed during the quiet phase of the Campaign.

Ruth Heffel, Executive Director of the Foundation, also brought people’s attention to the Foundation’s new donor wall that honors individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations who have given generously to HaysMed over time. The wall was designed and created by local artist James Mages. The sculpture reflects western Kansas with stalks of brass wheat and incorporates the names of donors on lexan plaques.

People interested in receiving more information about the Powerful Technology Campaign and how to support the effort, can visit www.haysmedfoundation.org or call the Foundation office at (785) 623-2350.

About the Hays Medical Center Foundation
Since its establishment in 1995, the HaysMed Foundation has played an important role in the growth, expansion and level of quality healthcare provided to our region by HaysMed. Through the philanthropic efforts of dedicated donors and volunteers, the Foundation has raised funds for the acquisition of equipment to improve patient care, implementation of new programs to enhance efficiency and growth in the breadth of services HaysMed provides to residents of western Kansas.