Nearly 160 donors helped match a challenge from Grinnell College to raise a total of $50,000 to upgrade magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
Through this gift, Grinnell College matched dollar for dollar all new or additional donations to the MRI campaign up to $25,000. Area residents met this challenge in a matter of five weeks and surpassed the project’s $300,000 fund-raising goal, with a total of $317,000 raised. Grinnell College faculty and staff also contributed to the college’s challenge.
“It is remarkable to see how quickly this funding for the new MRI came together,” says Monica Chavez-Silva, director of community engagement and enhancement at Grinnell College. “Not only is it a testament to the community’s commitment to our local medical center, but it also speaks volumes about how much we can get done if we all pitch in together. The college is proud to be one of many who help make Grinnell a great place to live.”
Stanley Greenwald, MD, GRMC board member and Grinnell College alumnus agrees, “GRMC is truly a community hospital. It takes all of us working together to provide quality healthcare here at home. There are so many strong partnerships in our community, such as Grinnell College and GRMC, which positively affect all of us.”
The original $300,000 fund-raising goal is allowing the medical center to renovate the space to meet the new equipment’s rigorous safety requirements.
The additional funds raised will add a few features to the new unit. This will include equipment to perform angiographic studies. MR angiography is used to examine blood vessels in areas such as the brain, kidneys, pelvis, legs, lungs, heart, neck, and abdomen. These tests help in the diagnosis of various diseases, aneurysms, and atherosclerosis.
Also, a metal detector will be installed as an additional safety measure. The equipment uses a large and powerful magnet that is highly sensitive. These metal detectors are important to help ensure patient and staff safety as well as protecting the magnet from damage that can be unintentionally caused.
“We are thrilled with the level of support we have received from the entire community for this project,” says Gina Fuller, GRMC director of radiology. “Every gift makes a difference to benefit our patients. We are especially grateful to Grinnell College for their leadership.”
The initial gift for the MRI project comes from the estate of Margaret Wheeler. Other major donors include Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company Foundation and employees, Jewel Kintzinger Day and Burt Day, the Grinnell Regional Auxiliary, and matching community challenges from the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust, Iowa Radiology, and Grinnell College.
Remodeling is underway on an area inside the hospital to accommodate the new, permanent MRI unit that is scheduled to be operational by February 1.
Anyone interested in more details about the MRI campaign is encouraged to call the Office of Development at 641-236-2589 or visit http://tinyurl.com/grmcmri.
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