Community comes together to purchase stair chair for EMS

22 Jul Community comes together to purchase stair chair for EMS

From L-R: Harney District Hospital EMS Manager Jeff Sceirine, Harney Hospital Foundation Manager Elisha Miller, Thomas Banton, COUNTRY Financial representative Debbie Ausmus, and EMT Herb Vloedman. Ed Staub & Sons (not pictured) also pitched in to purchase the device. 

Harney District Hospital receives support from COUNTRY Financial

COUNTRY Financial named Harney Hospital Foundation as a 2020 recipient of a COUNTRY Financial Operation Helping Heroes donation. COUNTRY Financial representative Debbie Ausmus recently presented a $1,500 donation to the foundation for the purchase of a stair chair, a device used to evacuate or transport patients up or down stairways.

COUNTRY Financial representative Debbie Ausmus presents a check to the Harney Hospital Foundation. 

“We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from COUNTRY Financial,” Harney District Hospital (HDH) Chief Executive Officer Dan Grigg said. “This device will enable our emergency medical services (EMS) department to better serve the Harney County community.”

HDH EMS Manager Jeff Sceirine added that, “The stair chair greatly reduces the risk of dropping or harming a patient while also decreasing the risk of back injuries for our staff. We are very thankful to have the support of our community in the purchase of this injury-prevention equipment.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities across the U.S. and add pressure to the nation’s hospitals, healthcare workers, and first responders, COUNTRY Financial is stepping in to provide funds for much-needed equipment and supplies. Through its Operation Helping Heroes program, the company will donate $3 million to first responders, medical workers, and military service members in the communities where it does business.

“It’s an honor to contribute to HDH,” Ausmus said. “Our hospitals, healthcare workers, and first responders are there for our community day in, and day out and are committed to keeping us healthy and safe. If we can make a small contribution to help, we’re more than happy to.”

The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support nonprofit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. In 2019, COUNTRY Financial expanded the program and donated $700,000 to approximately 500 first responder and military organizations.

•••

Community donors pitch in to complete purchase of stair chair

 Thomas Banton donated $1,500, and Ed Staub & Sons contributed $500 to the Harney Hospital Foundation to complete the purchase of the stair chair. These generous donations were added to the $1,500 contributed by COUNTRY Financial.

“We are incredibly fortunate to live and work in a community that comes together to support our organization,” Grigg said. “With this device, our EMS department can improve its service to Harney County.”

“Having the right tool for the job is essential, but medical equipment can be extremely costly,” Sceirine said. “That is why we are so thankful to live and work in a community that is as generous as ours.”

Harney Hospital Foundation Manager Elisha Miller added that, “It’s such a wonderful thing to see our great community come together and give back to each other. The gifts received from COUNTRY Financial, Mr. Banton, and Ed Staub & Sons will go a long way in keeping our community and EMS workers safe.”