Phelps Health Auxiliary Donates $220,000 for New Ambulance

Phelps Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff have a new ambulance thanks to the generosity of the Phelps Health Auxiliary and Volunteer Services.

The Phelps Health Auxiliary raised $220,000 and donated the funds to go toward the purchase of a new Ford F-350 ambulance as well as additional specialty equipment for the new vehicle.

Phelps Health leaders and employees as well as Auxiliary members, volunteers and ambulance crews celebrated October 22, 2018, with a ribbon cutting held for the new ambulance. Attendees also received tours of the new ambulance and learned about its features.

“On behalf of the entire Ambulance Department, we truly appreciate this donation,” says Ray Massey, director of ambulance and transportation services at Phelps Health.

The new ambulance is equipped with a Stryker cot loading system to help transport patients. The loading system weighs about 175 pounds itself, with no patient on it, and can hold up to 700 pounds.

The ambulance also has a gel ride system to help provide a ride as comfortable as possible for patients.

The idea to raise money for a new ambulance began during a discussion between Phelps Health President and CEO Ed Clayton and Auxiliary Director Tina Pridgeon. Auxiliary President Jayne Stites championed the project for approval by the Auxiliary board.

“We were looking for another project where the Auxiliary could really have an impact,” Clayton says. “We started talking about the Ambulance Department and how it has grown along with the need for EMS in our community.

“While we have a good fleet of ambulances, certainly, a new one is very beneficial for patients,” Clayton says. “We’re so very thankful to the Auxiliary today to have donated $220,000 for the ambulance project.”

In some cases, an ambulance is the first interaction patients have with Phelps Health, and that is why “having state-of-the-art capabilities is so important,” says Phelps Health Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Keri Brookshire-Heavin. “This is a great way to take care of our community.”

The new ambulance is not only beneficial for patients but also the staff who use the ambulance and its equipment, she says.

The ambulance donation is one of many contributions that the Auxiliary has made to Phelps Health. Over the last several years, the Phelps Health Auxiliary has donated funds for renovations to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), furnishings for the Comprehensive Breast Center, medical equipment for orthopedics and the large digital sign next to Interstate 44 on the main Phelps Health campus in Rolla.

“Phelps Health does so much for the community, and the Auxiliary is fortunate to be able to give back to this healthcare organization,” Pridgeon says.