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Press release from St. Joseph Hospital:

Generous donations from Women 4 Wellness and other community groups, in support of our communities’ fight to beat Covid-19, have allowed St. Joseph Hospital Foundation to purchase 12 ventilators to expand hospital capacity in treating patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses that arise. The purchased ventilators arrived recently at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka.

“In times of crisis, this community steps up. As we live through this pandemic, the extraordinary generosity and selflessness of our neighbors supports the healing mission of St Joseph Health.” said Paul McGinty, Chief Philanthropy Officer, St. Joseph Health, Humboldt County (SJH-HC). “These new ventilators will not only enhance our care for Covid-19 patients in the event of a surge, but better prepare our rural community with life-saving equipment for any and all other emergency needs.”

Women 4 Wellness, a philanthropic group promoting education, advocacy, and volunteerism in support of SJH-HC, Humboldt State University, Wayne & Donna Caldwell on behalf of Premier Financial Group, the Schmidbauer Family, Lorin & Irene Flyer and Owsley Electric donated $420,000 to purchase ventilators and aid in the fight against Covid-19.

“Building our stockpile of life-saving equipment is essential in rural communities that are far from large medical centers,” said Roberta Luskin-Hawk, M.D., Chief Executive, SJH-HC. “Every doctor, caregiver and patient should have the assurance that no matter the illness or condition, vital resources to treat patients and give them the best standard of care possible are readily available. It’s a privilege to help those who help us.”

Thanks to the philanthropic contributions and ventilators on loan from Providence and Public Health, St. Joseph Hospital has grown its ventilator capacity from 12 – before the onset of the pandemic – to 38 ventilators on-hand today. Recently, 11 of St. Joseph Hospital’s original 12 ventilators were in use for treating a combination of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 related illnesses.

A portion of the 38 ventilators are on loan from care partners and will be returned following the response to the Covid-19 crisis.