As a not-for-profit, independent hospital, CMH is committed to providing excellence, leadership and compassion in the enhancement of health for those we serve. The annual Community Benefits Report is an opportunity for CMH to share just a handful of the ways it helps to enhance the health of our neighbors in the Lower Columbia Region.
Community benefit takes many forms. It’s providing concussion testing, taping classes and the services of a certified athletic trainer to area high schools at no cost to schools or athletes. It’s hosting public seminars about heart health, joint replacement surgery and other health concerns. It’s sponsoring local arts, athletic events, community events and charitable organizations. It’s covering the cost of medical care for neighbors who can’t pay.
CMH’s community benefits programs promote health and help us to be an asset to our communities. CMH is a community benefit leader among Oregon hospitals.
Through programs and donations, health education, free and discounted care, and more, CMH provided more than $22.2 million in community benefits in 2015.
Protecting the Brain Health of our Children click to open
Since 2011, CMH has donated Certified Athletic Trainer Chad Rankin’s time and services to Clatsop County schools at no cost to the districts.
Rankin looks out for the safety of each student athlete he evaluates. At the beginning of each season, Rankin gives varsity athletes the computer-based ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, which quantifies brain function. Having this vital measure of brain function can guide doctors in determining when athletes who have suffered a concussion are ready to go back to practice and competition, preventing further or lasting brain injury.
Rankin also gives in-service training to our local fire departments and coaches about assisting injured athletes without causing more damage. CMH is reaching out to the community to keep our kids safe on the playing field.
Introducing the Next Generation to Medicine click to open
Every spring, CMH is overrun by bunnies—two-legged bunnies with bright eyes and eager smiles. This April CMH welcomes its sixth set of fifth grade “bunnies” for Operation Bunny Suit.
Hundreds of children from Clatsop County schools visit CMH for a hands-on introduction to health care and the hospital. Students explore surgery, hand hygiene, pet therapy, nutrition, fitness, respiratory health, patient safety, CPR and medical imaging. Operation Bunny Suit gets its name from the surgical coveralls, also known as a bunny suit, which the children wear while in the Surgery Department.
While visiting the operating room, they learn to make and tie sutures and how to use a laparoscopic camera. For some students, the trip is an introduction to the hospital, but other students have visited a hospital before when someone was hurt or ill. These past experiences often leave those children nervous about hospitals in general. By showing them some of what happens behind closed doors, we help them create more positive and comforting ideas about hospitals.
Through this program, children in Clatsop County receive basic nutrition and fitness education, which will help them make healthier decisions about their health and well-being. See our bunnies in action.
Fighting Cancer in the Clinic and on the Track click to open
Relay For Life is a team fundraising event to support the American Cancer Society. During the 24-hour event, CMH team members walk around a track at one of the local high schools, even throughout the night.
But the buildup to Relay For Life begins months before the CMH team takes its first step. During the past year, the CMH Relay For Life team, led by Rehabilitation Department Manager Ivan Sultan, raised over $10,000 to help fight this terrible disease by holding bake sales, hosting a classic car show, washing more than 100 cars during a free car wash at Warrenton Kia, knocking on doors and calling friends.
2016 Accomplishments click to open
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