Rush Health Systems Receives Life-Saving Donation From The Riley Foundation

Oct 23, 2020

Meridian, MS – The Riley Foundation has made a truly life-saving donation to Rush Health Systems as they continue to care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The Riley Foundation donated $120,000 to purchase three Avea CVS Ventilation System ventilators, and now plans to grant another $50,000 to purchase a fourth ventilator.

“We are all in this fight together, and we wanted to be proactive to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Becky Farley, Executive Director of The Riley Foundation. “We reached out to Rush Health Systems to see what their most immediate need would be in the event of a surge of COVID-19 patients, and ventilators were on the top of their list. While our hospitals may not currently be facing a shortage, we want to do our part to make sure our medical community is prepared to treat critical care patients requiring mechanical ventilation.”  

“The mission of the Riley Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Lauderdale County,” added Marty Davidson, Chairman of The Riley Foundation. “By giving this grant to Rush to purchase ventilators, we are improving the quality of life of COVID-19 patients, and in some cases, actually helping to save their lives.” 

Ventilators mechanically move breathable air in and out of a patient’s lungs and are critical to survival for patients who are physically unable to breathe on their own or are breathing insufficiently.

“We are extremely grateful to The Riley Foundation and their donation to cover the cost of these much-needed ventilators,” said Fred Duggan, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Rush Health Systems. “Our team of healthcare providers has been fighting this pandemic for seven months now, and receiving a donation like this really makes all the difference to support our heroes that are on the frontlines every day.” 

The Avea CVS ventilators are a comprehensive neonatal through adult ventilation system with the complete package of all advanced features. 

“On behalf of the health system, I want to express my sincere appreciation for this significant contribution during this challenging time,” said Rush Health Systems’ President and CEO, Larkin Kennedy. “This gift will enhance and expand our ability to care for patients experiencing respiratory issues in critical COVID-19 cases.”
 
The donated ventilators were delivered to the hospital last week and will expand the hospital’s capacity in treating patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses that arise.

About Rush Health Systems
Rush Health Systems is the largest, most diverse healthcare system in East Mississippi and West Alabama. With a 105-year legacy of medical innovation, quality care and service to others, Rush Health Systems is comprised of 7 hospitals and more than 30 clinics, with 250 staff and contracted physicians and 95 advanced practice providers. Rush is the largest non-governmental employer in the region. Rush Health Systems includes Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, MS; The Specialty Hospital of Meridian, MS; Medical Foundation, Inc., Laird Hospital, Union, MS; H.C. Watkins Hospital, Quitman, MS; Scott Regional Hospital, Morton, MS; John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital, DeKalb, MS, and Choctaw General Hospital in Butler, AL. For more information, please visit www.rushhealthsystems.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About The Riley Foundation
In January 1998, The Riley Foundation began with $59 million in charitable assets, received from the sale of Riley Memorial Hospital. Since 1998, the Foundation has made grants of approximately $70 million in Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi. The Foundation’s assets now exceed $83 million.