Dear Friend of St. Mary’s,

The time has come for the St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation’s Fifth Annual Black-Tie Gala. On May 17, 2008, the Marshall football stadium on 20th Street and 3rd Avenue will open to friends of St. Mary’s who will experience the culinary creations of Chef Jamison Ugland and music by the Santa Cruz Band.

All proceeds from this event will help fund construction for the new St. Mary’s Center for Education. This facility will allow St. Mary’s to build on its tradition of excellence in education and ensure that the Tri-State area will continue to have skilled healthcare professions to care for those in our community.

St. Mary’s has established many friendships throughout its 83-year history of service to our community. Today, the Foundation is asking our friends to support this worthwhile event by cordially requesting your assistance in creating this magical night for our community. Contributions of in-kind services, products and/or cash are needed.

Click here for a sponsorship form (PDF). You may also make reservations online at www.st-marysfoundation.org. Your support for this event will not only show your commitment to St. Mary’s, but your commitment to the future of health care in our community.

Sincerely,
David Sheils
Foundation President

St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation Gala

Please plan on joining us for the St. Mary’s Foundation Gala 2008. This event, held within the confines of the Marshall University Football Stadium promises to be the best ever. The Gala has quickly become the social event of the year on any calendar. The combination of the energetic sounds of Santa Cruz with the simply incredible culinary delights offered by Executive Chef Jamison Ugland will combine to make this event the year’s signature event.

This year’s Gala is an opportunity for you and your guests, colleagues and friends to “tailgate in style” as we throw the best party of the year. Be sure to make your reservations today as the event always sells out and limited seating is available.

12.18.2007 - Rahall Secures $268,230 for Summers County ARH Hospital

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, secured approval by the House and Senate of $268,230 in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill to assist with improvements to the Summers County Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) Hospital.

"Summers County ARH has done an excellent job caring for a rural community that would otherwise have little access to medical services," said Rahall. "This funding will go a long way to help the growing hospital to continue providing rural residents of southern West Virginia with high quality healthcare close to home."

The funding will be used in the significant renovation and construction of a new emergency room department at the hospital. The hospital is currently planning approximately $7 million in improvements, currently in the design stage.

In Fiscal Year 2006, the hospital treated 6,150 emergencies in a rural community with little more than 14,000 residents. Its 1,808 square feet of space posed challenges when providing for security and patient privacy rights, as it has no waiting room and patient treatment rooms cannot be viewed from the nursing station.

"Access to healthcare is one of the top challenges facing our nation in the 21st century. I will continue to help ensure that quality, modern healthcare services are available to the people of Summers County and rural communities across the country," Rahall said.

The Omnibus Appropriations Bill combines the 11 remaining Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations bills into one bill. The legislation will provide appropriations for projects across the country and fund all federal government agencies. The Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill was passed earlier this year.

11.07.2007 - Rahall Secures $230,000 for Summers County ARH

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, secured approval by the House and Senate of $230,000 in the conference report on the 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill to assist with improvements to the Summers County Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital (ARH).

"Since its creation, Summers County ARH has brought quality health care to a rural community that would otherwise have little access to medical services," said Rahall. "This funding will go a long way to help the growing hospital to continue its mission to provide top-notch healthcare to the residents of southern West Virginia."

The funding will be used in the significant renovation and construction of a new emergency room department at the hospital. The hospital is currently planning approximately $7 million in improvements, currently in the design stage.

In FY06, the hospital treated 6,150 emergencies in a rural community with little more than 14,000 residents. Its 1,808 square feet of space posed challenges when providing for security and patient privacy rights, as it has no waiting room and patient treatment rooms cannot be viewed from the nursing station.

"Access to health care is one of the top challenges facing our nation in the 21st century. This bill will help to ensure that quality, modern healthcare services are available to the people of Summers County and rural communities across the country," Rahall said.

The conference report, which includes the 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill and the 2008 Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Bill, must also be approved by the U.S. Senate before being sent to the White House. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.

Capital Campaign

St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation announced today it has reached its capital campaign goal of raising $1.5 million for the planned St. Mary’s Center for Education.

In March 2006, the foundation kicked off St. Mary’s first capital campaign in 50 years to help support St. Mary’s mission of providing skilled healthcare professionals to care for the tri-state community. More than 150 organizations, families and individuals contributed to the campaign.  
 
“May God reward and bless all who supported our capital campaign and our mission,” said Sr. Celeste Lynch, who served as honorary campaign chairperson.  “Your generosity has helped provide resources for educating the future healthcare providers of our community and our next generation. Thank you for your trust and commitment.”
 
The 55,000-square-foot center, to be located at the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 29th Street, will house St. Mary’s School of Nursing, School of Medical Imaging and School of Respiratory Care. The estimated cost of the project is $8.6 million, including the purchase of the land and building in 2004.

Dr. Shelia Kyle, VP of Schools and Health Professions said, “Not only will this facility provide us with the latest in training technologies, it will allow us to expand enrollment by at least 20 percent. Given the anticipated nurse shortage, this will be of great benefit to the community.” Approximately 90 percent of St. Mary’s graduates find employment in the tri-state area.
 
Through the help of Congressman Nick J. Rahall II, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee secured more than $1.4 million for the project through the labor, health and human services appropriation bills.

“Congressman Rahall’s support has been tremendous,” said Robert Hardwick, campaign co-chairperson.  “We are very appreciative of his insight into the significance of this project.”
 
St. Mary’s Foundation President David Sheils said there are still opportunities to support the Center for Education. “Although we have reached our goal, there is still an additional $5 million to complete the project that St. Mary’s Medical Center will have to subsidize from hospital operations,” Sheils said. “We hope people will continue to join in our efforts to provide the best possible education for future health professionals in our region.”