Freeman Auxiliary Donates Wheelchairs

Freeman Health System Auxiliary donated five Prime TC wheelchairs to Freeman West Emergency Department. The customized wheelchairs cost nearly $14,000 total and come with additional features that assist in transporting patients.

“These chairs have built-in oxygen tank holders and IV poles,” said Bob Denton, Freeman Director of Emergency/Trauma Services. “We don’t have to wheel around extra equipment while transporting a patient. This makes it safer for everyone – the patients, the visitors and the caregivers.”

The chairs were created by Michael Graves Architecture & Design. The concept for the product came after architect and designer, Michael Graves, became paralyzed from the chest down after an untreated infection spread to his spine. His time recuperating in hospitals and rehabilitation centers inspired him to partner with Stryker® to create medical products and furniture that were aesthetically-pleasing and functional for patients.

“We could see how beneficial these new wheelchairs would be for the Freeman Emergency Department,” said Linda McIntosh, Freeman Program Manager of Volunteer Services. “These help the hospital continue to provide comfort and convenience for our patients.”

Each year, Freeman Auxiliary members raise money through Freeman Gift Gallery, raffles and various events. In addition to purchasing wheelchairs and other needed hospital equipment, Freeman Auxiliary supports programs such as Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the Chaplains Fund, Turnaround Ranch and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States.

Back (left to right) Bob Denton, Freeman Director of Emergency/Trauma Services; Lee Faaborg, Freeman Volunteer; Dr. Kyle Kennedy, Freeman Emergency Medicine and Hilary Riley, Freeman Assistant Director of Emergency/Trauma Services

Front (left to right) Jewett Conrad, Freeman Auxiliary Vice President; Dianne Ray, Freeman Auxiliary Board President

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. For 2016, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri more than four years in a row, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2015 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.