The Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation Board met Tuesday evening for its final meeting of the 2012 year. Board member Cara McClellan gave a report of the inaugural Wright Run 5K/10K that took place on October 6 in Trenton.


She indicated that 160 people which included 17 teams of four participated in the race despite the below freezing temperatures.

In total, the event raised $10,679.75 for the walking trail campaign thanks to the sponsors and registrations. Mrs. McClellan thanked the committee responsible for the success of the race and looks forward to next year’s event which is scheduled to be on October 5th.

WMH Foundation Development Officer Matt Osterthun gave a progress update on the walking trail and memorial garden campaign. The employee campaign that was kicked off March 30 ended at 97% participation hospital-wide, totaling $25,615.66 committed to the project. Osterthun shared to date, WMH employees have pledged or contributed over $40,000 to the foundation in 2012. A free breakfast was served on November 16 to thank the employees for their support and success towards the campaign. To date, $93,528.54 has been raised in 2012 for the walking trail and memorial garden campaign, with an additional $13,193.84 pledged to the project. A project that gives the employees and community the opportunity to have their name or family member on a brick or tile is being designed for the trail and memorial garden’s aesthetics. This project will be launched in January. Osterthun informed the board that next year’s foundation social event titled “109 plus Two” will be the ground breaking ceremony for the walking trail scheduled for April 12.

Osterthun shared an end-of-the-year report indicating that $145,056 had been raised in 2012 by over 400 donors, with 153 of those giving for the first time. The foundation has received donations by 286 new donors over the past two years. Osterthun said his goal of $150,000 is very attainable by the end of December with end-of-the-year gift giving and tax-deduction contributions.

Three pieces of equipment were approved for funding for the hospital. A Helmer Blood Bank Refrigerator at a cost of $6,653.42 and a Siemens Clinitek Advantus Urine Chemistry Machine at a cost of $6,580.40 for the laboratory will be purchased through the foundation. Both are replacing aged equipment and will drastically improve the lab’s operations and efficiency. Also approved was the purchase of a new wheel-chair for the Outpatient Infusion/Chemotherapy department at a cost of $142.41.

CEO Gary Jordan gave a hospital report on physician recruitment focusing on general surgery and family practice. Jordan also reported the addition of extended clinic hours.

The next meeting of the Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation will be held in March.