(Cushing, Okla.) Enbridge Energy Manager Brian Johnson, Cushing, presented checks to three different entities Thursday: Cushing Regional Hospital, Cushing Fire Department and Cimarron Valley Humane Society.
“It is an exciting time in our company,” Johnson said. “We want to continue our partnership with Cushing Regional Hospital, Cushing Fire Department and the Cimarron Valley Humane Society. We appreciate all that you do.”
Enbridge donated money to Cushing Regional Hospital Foundation to purchase needed equipment for CRH. The Respiratory Department was in need of a Vapotherm highflow,humidified oxygen unit. The unit can be used with pediatric patients with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and adult patients who have pulmonary fibrosis or are in respiratory distress. The Vapotherm provides high flow oxygen therapy for treatment of RSV and can provide warmed air if the infant or child is having difficulty maintaining an adequate temperature. The oxygen is provided through tubes that are placed through the nose instead of having a BiPap machine (mask) over their face.
CRH Foundation Director Marian Gilkerson said the Vapotherm had been available to the hospital on a trial basis. An adult patient was admitted with respiratory distress and used it. He was very pleased with the comfort of the unit, and on his next admission, he was very disappointed that he had to use the BiPap instead of having the Vapotherm. Dr. Dennis Blacksted, ER Director, commented on how the Vapotherm truly was more comfortable for the patients.
The second gift to the hospital is a new medication refrigerator for the Emergency Room. The new American Hospital Association recommendation is to provide chilled saline intravenously after survival from a cardiac arrest. The chilled saline will cool the body temperature. This is the only therapy that has been proven to improve neurological function. The current refrigerator in the ER is not large enough to accommodate any liters of saline.
Total cost of the two pieces of new equipment donated by Enbridge is approximately $8300.
“Since Enbridge moved to Cushing, they have been a true friend to the Cushing Regional Hospital Foundation and the community of Cushing,” Gilkerson said. “In 2011, Enbridge donated $10,000 to purchase a computer server for the Emergency Room and two CPAC machines for the Med/Surg Unit. As a surpise, they also donated $2500 toward the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon and an additional $900 to the purchase of Breast Cancer Awareness baskets. Their current donations are over $100,000 and the CRH Emergency Room proudly bears Enbridge’s name.”
CRH Foundation President LeeRoy Kalka said, “We want to thank Enbridge for being a true friend to Cushing Regional Hospital. We appreciate you.”
“The Enbridge gifts help Cushing Regional Hospital to improve their quality of care. It is the goal of the Foundation to assist the hospital in providing the best possible care available to our patients,” Gilkerson said.
The Foundation is a 501c3 organization and all gifts are eligible for the donor’s use on their tax reports. “It is truly a win-win situations,” Kalka commented.
Enbridge also presented a check in the amount of $4500 to the Cushing Fire Department for sliding command units to be installed in the back compartment of the two Chief Tahoes. “The units will allow us to store bunker gear and equipment and then slide out to reach it more easily,” Deputy Chief Chris Pixler explained. “On the very back, where the back door opens, the command unit has a large dry erase marker board, radios, electric connections, etc. These items are used during the command of a fire or other emergency for communications and accountability of personnel and resources – included is a weather shelter which attaches to the rear of the vehicle to be used during inclement weather or to stay out of the sun. We are thankful for Enbridge for their donation.”
“We are proud to partner with the Cushing Fire Department, Johnson said. “They help us out tremendously,” Johnson said.
Last – but certainly not least on the Enbridge list – a donation of $2500 to the Cimarron Valley Humane Society earmarked to go toward building a shelter. CVHS board member Terri Grove expressed sincere appreciation to Enbridge for their continued support.
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