On Friday, April 26, Saline Memorial Hospital‘s Relay For Life team raised over $2,400 for the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society hosts a series of Relay For Life events all over the country each year. Relay teams camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. During a Relay for Life event, cancer survivors and their family and friends stand together to fight for cancer research, celebrate what they’ve overcome as well as remember those lost to cancer.

Saline Memorial Hospital would like to thank everyone who came out to walk for the Relay For Life team on Friday. With our neon shirts, slap bracelets, side ponytails and shades, we rocked the 80’s look.

April is National Donate Life Month and Saline Memorial Hospital is asking you to do just that.

As part of our partnership with ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency) we will be educating our hospital community on the critical need for organ donation and providing opportunities for people to sign up as organ, eye, and tissue donors.

As part of this initiative, we will host an employee registration drive on Wednesday April 10, 2013, in the main lobby of the Hospital, from 11:00AM-1:00PM. You too can register as an organ donor by clicking here.

The Facts:

111,000: Approximate number of people on the national transplant waiting list

18: Average number of people on the waiting list who will die today

8: Number of lives one organ donor could save

14: Every 14 minutes someone new is added to the national waiting list

25,000: Number of people who die of a brain death each year (and could donate organs)

5,500: Of the 25,000 brain deaths, only 5,500 donate

100 million: More than 100 million people in the United States have registered their decision to donate.

For event information and details on ways you can become actively involved, contact Megan at 776-6746, megan.elms@salinememorial.org or visit www.organdonor.gov. Please join us in supporting our involvement and spreading this message that helps us to literally save lives.

Everett Buick GMC is giving the foundation $50 thousand dollars. With February being American heart month, the hope is that this gift will draw attention to this company who is so generous to give from the heart. -KARK

“We want to invest in the future, in healthcare that’s close by,” says owner Susie Everett. “So we can get the best for us when were in the hospital, and we can get the best for our grandchildren. -KTHV

It wasn’t roses or chocolates, but a gift of $50,000 that made for a great Valentine’s Day for the Saline Memorial Health Foundation. Everett Buick GMC presented a $50,000 check to the Saline Memorial Health Foundation at a press event held at the hospital on February 14. Hospital staff, physicians, Board members and Everett representatives were all present for the check presentation and reception. Thank you to the Everett family for your generous gift that will enhance healthcare for Saline County!

Benton, AR (February 18, 2013)  -  The Saline Memorial Health Foundation is planning to host the 3rd annual Heart of Saline Recognition Dinner on Thursday, February 21, at Bishop Park in Bryant. The Foundation will be honoring the late Brian Sudderth and Melissa Dockery, both local physicians who passed away in 2012.

“The purpose of the Heart of Saline dinner is to honor individuals who have put community and others above themselves,” said Matt Brumley, SMH foundation director. “Both Dr. Dockery and Dr. Sudderth certainly did just that. Our community is a better place because of their service.”

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Saline Memorial Health Foundation which supports the hospital’s mission of providing quality healthcare services to Saline County and surrounding areas. Over the past few years, the Foundation has helped raise funds to build the Hospice House in Bryant, to purchase cardiac monitors for the ambulance service and to provide cardiac medication to indigent patients. They recently started a $1.25 million facility renovation campaign.

“Dr. Sudderth and Dr. Dockery were respected, not just because of their excellent care for patients, but more so for their immense care for people,” said Brumley. “Their desire to serve with compassion and humility certainly impacted our community.”

Tickets to the dinner are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight. Social hour starts at 6:00pm and dinner will be served at 6:30pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (501) 776-6746.

Saline Memorial Hospital is a non-profit, community hospital that is sustained through revenue from operations, grants and donations made through the Foundation. For more information about the services offered at SMH, visit salinememorial.org.

As we approach the last days of 2011, many of you will consider making end-of-year donations to various organizations. By making the decision to give locally, you play a substantial role in enhancing the quality of life within our community. As a non-profit organization, the Saline Memorial Health Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that we meet the health care needs for you, your family and our community. Here are just a few areas in which your contributions play a vital role:

The 16-bed SMH Hospice House in Bryant serves patients and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Our compassionate team of nurses and physicians care for our patients physically, spiritually, and psychologically.

The first phase of renovating our Medical Surgical Floors and Labor and Delivery Unit rooms has begun. It is our goal to provide excellent care in a warm and inviting atmosphere for you and your loved ones in a comfortable environment. Pictured above is one of our finished rooms.

SMH Labor and Delivery offers the very best for expecting mothers and their babies. Through the renovation of our rooms, patients will experience an environment that is not only patient friendly but more accommodating to family and visitors.

We continue to enhance Emergency and Cardiovascular services by adding new equipment and technology. In 2011, our Emergency Department has served over 36,000 patients and our Ambulance team has responded to more than 9,000 calls. We’re proud to exceed national standards in treating both cardiac and stroke patients.

Lives have been saved and so many positively impacted through the enhancement and expansion of services at SMH. Your support ensures that we continue to provide the very best for our patients. There is no gift too small or large but most of all, our hope is you find this a cause and investment worth your contribution.

Matt Brumley
Director, Saline Memorial Health Foundation

The Saline Memorial Health Foundation (SMH) and the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce are kicking off the inaugural Glitz & Garland shopping event by giving away a new car. The SMH Health Foundation and the Chamber along with Everett Buick GMC, announced the car give-away on Thursday, July 7 at the Saline County Courthouse.

Many community members were present to watch Susie Everett hand over the keys to a new 2011 GMC Terrain as part of the fundraising efforts for Glitz & Garland and ultimately the SMH Health Foundation and the Benton Chamber of Commerce. Starting today, community members will be able to purchase $100 raffle tickets giving them a chance to win the new car. Only 500 tickets will be sold.

“We’re proud to be a part of this event that promotes Benton and our local businesses,” said Susie Everett. “I’ve been a patient at Saline Memorial and know the personalized care they provide. It was an easy decision to support this event because of the two great organizations that will benefit from it.”

Glitz & Garland, the inaugural holiday shopping extravaganza, is set for November 4-5 at Holland Chapel Family Life Center in Benton. The event will feature merchants selling such gift items as gourmet food, home and holiday items, jewelry, clothing, children’s items and more. In addition to the shopping, participants can enjoy entertainment and pictures with Santa Claus.

“On November 4, 10 lucky names will be drawn,” explained Jerry Beaty, event Co-Chair. “These finalists will be notified. On November 5, at 2:00 pm, at Glitz & Garland, these finalists will be given a key and will attempt to start the car. One lucky winner will win a brand new car!”

“The Saline Memorial Health Foundation is excited to be a part of bringing this new event to Saline County,” said Matt Brumley, SMH Foundation Director. “Everett continues to show tireless dedication to this community and we’re thankful for their continued efforts in supporting healthcare and local businesses.”

All proceeds from ticket sales and from the event benefit the SMH Health Foundation and the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce. Tickets can be purchased at the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce or Saline Memorial Hospital.

“Even if you buy a raffle ticket and don’t win the car,” said Everett, “you’re still winning because you’re contributing to the hospital and local businesses.”

For more information on Glitz & Garland or the car give-away, please visit www.bentonchamber.com.

Jean Hersh isn’t interested in attention or praise. Although her generosity deserves it, she’s more interested in calling attention to the needs of others. Jean recently donated $3,000 to purchase a motorized lift for the Saline Memorial Hospital Acute Rehab unit.

Having been a patient on the Acute Rehab unit, Jean saw a need that could enhance care for patients and reduce staff injury at the same time. Before Jean was discharged, she presented them a check and told them to “make it happen.”

“When I was a patient, there wasn’t anything at all that I could have wanted,” said Hersh. “They were so good to me. So I wanted to do something for them. I asked them to tell me something they needed on the unit to help better care for patients. This lift was a dream for them and I wanted to fulfill that dream.”

“The Motorized Sit to Stand Lift has already helped prevent injuries to patients and co-workers by providing stability during transfers from sitting to standing by our patients who need that higher burden of care,” said Wayne Jones, Acute Rehab Team Leader. “When a patient has poor quadriceps control, the lift is able to help isolate and stabilize the patient’s knees while providing a slip resistant platform for their feet.”

Hospital staff recently took Jean up to the unit to see the equipment.

“Mrs. Jean’s donation for the lift has been such a blessing to the Acute Rehabilitation staff,” said Jones.  “In a time where everyone is watching the bottom line, buying a large piece of equipment would seem unlikely. However, Mrs. Jean’s donation helps to ensure there will be safe quality care provided on Saline Memorial’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit.”

“We’re grateful for Mrs. Jean’s donation and commitment to SMH,” said Matt Brumley, SMH Foundation Director. “It’s through gifts like this that we continue to enhance care for future patients. We hope Jean’s donation will inspire others to give.”

The Saline Memorial Health Foundation is currently involved in a campaign to raise funds to refurbish all inpatient rooms. One mock room is already complete and another version is in the works. If you’re interested in taking a tour of the new rooms or donating to this cause, please call 776-6743.

Members of the Saline Memorial Rehab Team welcomed Jean and Harold Hersh back to the Acute Rehab unit for a reception in honor of their $3,000 donation that was used to purchase a new motorized lift for the unit. According to the staff, the lift has already been effective in enhancing patient care and co-worker safety. Front: Jean Hersh; Standing L to R: Harold Hersh, Wayne Jones, Iris Taggart, Garrett Stanley, and Julie Lovins

The Saline Memorial Hospital (SMH) Auxiliary will have the beautiful Christmas wreaths (decorated by our talented co-workers) on display starting this week in the lobby of the Health Education Building. It’s a silent auction so don’t forget to drop by and bid on them! All proceeds benefit the SMH Auxiliary.