| SMHC
Foundation Benefactor Dinner deemed a success
The October 24th St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation Benefactor Dinner attracted close to 75 guests to the Spirit Center at St. Gertrude’s Monastery. According to Jim May, Development Director, the goal of the event was to thank the people who have supported SMHC through financial donations, in kind gifts and donations of time and volunteerism. 
“Our hospital and satellite clinics depend on community support which can take many forms. The support provided by the people in this room is what allows St. Mary’s to provide the quality medical care it does 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said May. “We’re a mission driven organization whose success depends upon you.” Other speakers included Casey Meza, CEO, who thanked the guests for their involvement with SMHC over the years. “We wouldn’t be alive and well if it weren’t for the people in the communities we serve. Thank you for coming tonight and thank you for using our services.” Meza also explained the current situation relating to long term care and assisted living services in the area. “Because of changes in the reimbursement structure for critical access facilities, St. Mary’s Hospital cannot be a provider. Simply put, if SMH began providing long term care or assisted living services, our hospital reimbursement from Medicare would decline so significantly that it could cause financial hardship on the hospital. It’s just not possible under the current reimbursement structure provided by Medicare. However, SMH knows that retirement living services are much needed in our community. We would be happy work with St. Gertrude’s Monastery to facilitate a meeting with possible investors in the area,” said Meza. “We could invite others with experience in the field and facilitate an initial meeting so interested and committed people could explore the financial and programmatic aspects of building a center in the area.” Anyone interested in being a possible investor in such a project should call the hospital switchboard, 962-3251 to leave their name and number. “If we have some people willing to invest, then we’d be happy to convene a meeting,” said Meza.
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