Dr. Carlos Otis, Grace Cottage's
founder, with the hospital's first
X-ray machine.
Grace Cottage’s CT scanner enables
physicians to
work with radiologists
for quick patient diagnosis.
|
The patients, physicians, and other medical professionals at Grace Cottage Hospital
are unanimous in agreeing that the hospital's digital X-ray, ultrasound, bone densitometer
and CT Scanner are crammed into spaces that are too small and inadequate for
the increasing number and type of diagnostic procedures being performed. Despite the
best efforts of the staff, the basic needs of patients for privacy and comfort are difficult
to meet.
"My mother recently needed to have two separate diagnostic imaging procedures, but
couldn't go directly from one to the other. Unfortunately, she had to wait in the main
public hallway, because there was no place available at that time," said Grace Cottage
employee, Catherine Nemchek. The first major gift towards the new imaging suite
came from Catherine. "Because I've seen first-hand how great the need is, I wanted to
start the fundraising right away."
A diagnostic imaging suite is needed, located adjacent to the Emergency Room.
The new imaging suite would include a
private waiting area for patients, a dressing
room, and a bathroom that is easily and
quickly accessible when contrast studies have been completed. Thanks
to the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and architect Robin
Sweetapple, plans have been drawn up, gratis to Grace Cottage. The plans
call for a 17' x 38' "bumpout" of the current radiology area, towards the
hospital's parking lot.
Grace Cottage Hospital's Board of Trustees approved the $250,000
construction project in May, plus the purchase of the $325,000 CT scanner.
It's a very ambitious fundraising goal for this rural hospital that serves so
many patients, but with the support of a generous community, it's attainable.
To learn more about the new diagnostic imaging suite, or to join the exciting
project with a gift restricted for this purpose, call (802) 365-9109, e-mail info@gracecottage.org, or write to Andrea Seaton or Mary Gyori at PO
Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
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