PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Medical Center Foundation raised $51,924 for cardiac services at its Red, Set, Go! Luncheon on Feb. 28, foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner told hospital commissioners this week.
“That will go toward the purchase of two state-of-the-art treadmills that will be used by cardiac services here in Port Angeles,” Skinner said at the OMC board meeting Wednesday.
“They already have two of them in Sequim. So we’re well equipped in both communities now.”
The luncheon, which was presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles, drew a record 282 attendees, Skinner said.
Heart disease ed
The annual fundraiser promotes the idea that the key to eradicating heart disease is education.
Port Angeles resident Betty Wendel delivered this year’s heart disease survivor story.
Jen Gouge, who recently retired as the medical assistant coordinator for Peninsula College, was among the special honorees.
Dr. Samuel Youssef, a Swedish Hospital cardiac surgeon, urged the audience to do the things necessary to prevent heart disease and to be aware of symptoms.
“Everybody who attended had a great lesson on how to prevent heart disease, and that’s great,” Skinner said.
“But the best thing about it, I think, is that we netted $62,000 at the event, which was 34 percent higher than our next best year. So it was extremely successful financially, too.”
The foundation has provided $205,000 to OMC so far this year, a number that drew applause from OMC commissioners and staff.
“We hope to do more later this year, and I know that we will,” Skinner said.
“We’ve contributed over $2.3 million to the medical center since 2006. So we’ve had some very successful fundraising activities.”
Dr. Rebecca Corley, chief physician officer, said the foundation has enabled OMC to purchase blood pressure monitors, Zio patches, automatic external defibrillators and treadmills.
“All of these devices have allowed us to enhance our diagnosis of heart disease and literally have saved patients’ lives,” Corley said.
Said Skinner: “The foundation and its board of directors is very, very happy to do that.”
Lorraine Wall, OMC chief nursing officer, thanked the foundation for its support.
“This is equipment that we might not otherwise have been able to purchase,” Wall said.
“We’re doing great things with the support that you provide us.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
