A $15,000 donation will support patient care at Jamestown Regional Medical Center.
The Otto Bremer Trust (OBT), one of Minnesota’s largest charitable organizations, created a $50 million emergency fund to provide financial support to Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Montana nonprofits and other community organizations. The new fund provides emergency funding, loans, lines of credit, and other financial resources to organizations impacted by and responding to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Locally, the JRMC Foundation is a recipient of this generosity.
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve focused on applying for emergency funding through grants from area foundations,” said Lisa Jackson, JRMC Foundation Director. “These funds help offset costs related to COVID-19 response.”
Though JRMC has not been a hot spot for the virus, the hospital prepared like one. JRMC mobilized its Incident Command team, created a surge plan and restricted visitors while implementing screening procedures, said Mike Delfs, JRMC President & CEO.
There are additional costs too. JRMC ordered additional medical supplies like aprons, masks and gloves. Even soap and hand sanitizer was in high demand and cost more than usual. These supplies are particularly crucial when something like COVID-19 strikes.
Funding like the grant from Otto Bremer helps JRMC purchase equipment as needs arise since capital budget spending is on hold.
“Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic equates to a loss of approximately $22,000 per day. As the pandemic continues, our main concern is the ability to generate revenue. Even in a good year, a Critical Access Hospital’s margins are about 2%,” Delfs said.
Margins are generated from surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient procedures – all which declined during the pandemic. Today, JRMC is caring on for the community. The hospital reopened urgent, emergent and time-sensitive procedures this month, taking special precautions to keep both employees and patients safe.
“Like all rural hospitals, JRMC is an essential service for the region we serve and funding helps us fulfill that mission,” Jackson said. “When the community is ready for us, we are ready for them.”
“Helping rural hospitals prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to the greater region,” said Daniel Reardon, co-CEO and trustee, Otto Bremer Trust. “They play an integral role in overall community well-being.”
To learn more about how to support JRMC, visit www.jrmcnd.com/giving or call the JRMC Foundation at (701) 952-4880.
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