Mercy receives grant for therapy equipment

Mercy Health Center's Women in Philanthropy co-founders (left) Sharon Campbell and Barbara Albright (second from right) present a $4,055 grant to Mercy Physical Therapist Meredith Sewell (second from left) and Mercy Rehab Services Director and Physical Therapist Eric Baldonado. The grant money will be used to purchase pediatric physical therapy equipment for the health center. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge]

Representatives of the Mercy Health Center Women in Philanthropy organization announced Thursday that the group has donated grant money for the purchase of rehabilitation equipment at the hospital.

Mercy Rehab Services was chosen to receive $4,055 in grant money for the purchase of pediatric physical therapy equipment. Over the last year, Mercy Health Center physical therapist Meredith Sewell has been instrumental in the growth of pediatric physical therapy services at the hospital. Through the grant, the department will be able to purchase equipment that is designed to be appropriate for specific age groups of pediatric patients at the center, a Mercy statement said.

"Mercy Rehab Services is grateful for this donation," Director of Mercy Rehab Eric Baldonado said. "With these monies, our therapist will be able to expand the services we provide to our patients and better serve our community."

Two other programs at Mercy Health Center will be funded through grants from the Women in Philanthropy organization this year. The total amount of funding that will be awarded to all three programs is $7,300. A selection committee comprised of platinum group members, along with the approval of all WIP members, shows particular interest toward programs that enrich the lives of women and children, the Mercy statement said.

Women in Philanthropy was created by women to support Mercy Health Center and to also encourage women to be philanthropic leaders. There are three levels of donations that woman may select from when contributing their annual gift to the organization. By uniting donations, the group is able to identify timely opportunities at the health center and together members choose how to direct the group's pooled resources.

Mercy Director of Wellness and Development and WIP Coordinator Tina Rockhold said all money contributed by members of the organization is used to benefit Mercy Health Center.

"100 percent of the funds are used for grant purposes," she said. "The grants support services, programs or other endeavors at Mercy Health Center."

WIP co-founders Barbara Albright and Sharon Campbell said they are honored to be part of the organization.

"It is satisfying knowing that collectively this group is able to enhance the lives of others," Campbell said.

Organizers have established several payment methods for members ranging from cash, check or credit card, to electronic bank transfers. The organization has three giving levels; a Platinum annual gift of $1,000, a Gold annual gift of $500, and a silver annual gift of $200 for women 39 years of age and younger.

The WIP organization is open to all women who support the work of Mercy and recognize that women as donors have the capability of making an impact on health care in the community. Since the inception of the group last summer, 21 charter members have joined the organization, the Mercy statement said.

For more information about WIP or to join the organization, contact Rockhold at (620) 223-7073.