A large pledge for St. Mary's Hospital: St. Mary’s Hospital President Bruce Merrell (left) and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Chief Executive Officer Phil Gustafson (second from right), receive a symbolic check in the amount of $270,000 from the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation from Foundation Chair Ron Johnson (second from left) and Foundation Director Scott Niermann (right) during a Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce After Hours event Thursday at the new Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital.
The St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation has pledged $270,000 to the St. Mary’s Hospital, it was announced during a Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce After Hours event Thursday at the new St. Mary’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
“We appreciate the Foundation’s efforts over the last year and especially those who have contributed to the hospital through our Foundation,” stated Bruce Merrell, St. Mary’s Hospital President. “The goodwill and generosity of Centralia and surrounding communities, as well as our sponsoring religious orders, have sustained this hospital for more than 100 years. We are pleased to accept this gift and recognize those who have contributed.”
The pledge was announced while members of the community were given tours of the new ICU at St. Mary’s prior to its opening. A symbolic check was presented to the hospital by the foundation during the event, representing pledges (up to five years) and cash gifts received since the inception of the St. Mary’s Foundation last year. More than half of the $270,000 will be available for transfer to the hospital before the end of the year as pledge payments and additional gifts are received.
“We are thankful for the significant support the Foundation has received over the first year of its operation, and are pleased to already be able to support the hospital at this level at the culmination of the first year,” said Scott Niermann, St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation Director. “A large portion of these contributions were received from hospital volunteers, employees and physicians, demonstrating these individuals’ generosity of not only time and talent , but also by their financial commitment.”
The project was also supported by the community, through its participation in the Foundation’s recent golf tournament as well as naming opportunities within the new Intensive Care Unit. Additional naming opportunities are available to those wishing to support the project. Inquiries can be made by calling the Foundation office at 436-6455.