November 30, 2024
We hope you and your family are well. Following is our annual update to you on healthcare matters in Lake City. It includes how we spent your money this year and some of the challenges we face.
Putting Your Money to Work – We granted $52,680 of your dollars in 2024, up from $41,694 in 2023.
Dental Scanner – The Dental Clinic was granted $18,000 for a Medit i700 dental scanner. These scanners are used in all modern dental offices to produce 3D mouth images. This image can be rotated and manipulated for work on crowns, bridges, retainers, mouth guards, and other dental devices. It replaces the need for those gooey impressions.
Senior Connections – $12,000 was granted to Public Health for the new Senior Connections 2025 program. The program provides the Senior Center, socialization opportunities, weekly lunches, guest speakers, and other educational events for Lake City seniors.
Vital Signs Monitors – We provided a 50% match of $15,375 for purchase of five vital signs monitors for the clinic. They replace inaccurate, unsupported, and failing monitors that are critical tools for every patient examination.
Network Server – A 50% match of $3,315 was granted to the clinic for a new network server to host the dentistry x-ray program and other sensitive data residing on outdated servers.
Strategic Planning – The Health District completed development of a strategic plan in a professionally facilitated workshop hosted by the Endowment for $2,263.
Network Printer – We granted $1,096 for a 50% match to acquire a new Versalink C414 printer for the nurses’ station.
EMS Training Aids - $631 was granted to EMS for a vascular access trainer and videos to support an IV training class for EMS. The anatomically correct aid allows providers to practice intraosseous needle insertion in the proximal humerus. A request for matching funding of clinic employee year-end bonuses is expected in December.
A request for matching funding of clinic employee year-end bonuses is expected in December.
We appreciate your generosity that made this possible, and encourage your continued support to insure the future of our grant program.
Clinic Staffing – New clinic staff hired in 2024 are Medical Director Dr. Ann Treisman and RN Storm Gozzola. They are still trying to fill the vacancy created when PA Bob Downs retired last year. There is also an administrative position vacant. The District staffing includes 5 full-time medical, 5 part-time medical plus 4 contract advanced providers, and 2 part-time dental plus a contract hygienist for a total of 17. We have come a long way since Nancy Zeller provided care in the two-room office in town.
In Case You Didn’t Know – Dr. John Quigley is in our dental clinic typically 5 days per month. Our hygienists serve dental patients 9 days per month. Call for an appointment.
Endowment Board Change – During 2024, the Board welcomed new EMS Director, Katherine Heidt, replacing retired EMS Director Buffy Witt. Buffy was an outstanding Board member providing great ideas and perspective. Katherine is already proving to be a great Board addition not only representing EMS but providing valuable insight and perspective on healthcare and community matters.
How You Can Help - Our direct giving program relies almost entirely on your donations and legacy commitments. We have an all-volunteer board that allows us to keep expenses low so 98% of your donations go to our grant program to help now and investment portfolio for future needs.
To make it easier for you to help, we have online donation capability on our website at www.LCMCEndowmentFund.org. You can also still send your checks to our postal address – PO Box 822, Lake City, CO 81235. We accept donations of all kinds including stocks, property, and other forms. Please consider us in your estate planning for legacy donations.
Kindest regards and best wishes for the holiday season,
Bernie Krystyniak - President
Nancy Zeller – Director Emerita