Impact
Memorial Health Foundation was established in 1981, and our mission has always been dedicated to building a healthy community through education, special patient assistance funds, charity care, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and funding to areas where the need is greatest throughout Memorial Health System and our community. We are incredibly grateful to our supporters who share our vision of world-class healthcare right here at home. Through the generosity of donors like you, Memorial Health Foundation has made significant investments to support our patients, families, team members, and communities.
Building a Healthier Community Through Education
FARMacy – Education in Wellness
Through your support, Memorial Health Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to the Sistersville FARMacy for their 2023 program. This is the second year of the program and it has been lauded by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture as one of the most successful of its kind in the state. The program is an expansion on the original FARMacyWV that was created in 2016 by providers at the HealthRight Clinic in Wheeling, West Virginia. It was established in response to the immense burden of chronic disease among West Virginia residents, and is based on the belief that food is medicine, and that fresh, nutritious food is a right for all.
The program in Sistersville is a partnership between local/regional growers, healthcare providers, health systems, exercise specialists, nutrition educators, and research experts, who all collaborate to provide lifestyle change and wellness education, along with access to locally grown produce over the course of a year. The program goal is to reduce chronic diseases and their risk factors, address food insecurity, and support the local economy and agriculture. It also is a powerful mechanism to address mental health concerns such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and lack of connectedness by bringing individuals with similar conditions together into their own highly supportive community.
Participants meet weekly with the FARMacy team to engage with one another, watch and participate in cooking demonstrations, learn progressive exercises, and work toward removing barriers to long-term lifestyle change. Biomarkers such as A1C, lipid profile, blood pressure, and weight are all measured regularly throughout the program in an effort to gauge physiological progress and improvement, including reduction of risk factors of chronic disease.
Special Patient Assistance Funds
Fashion Show Supports Cancer Patients
Memorial Health Foundation’s 18th Annual Fashion Show theme of Hollywood Nights put the spotlight on our cancer patient models, but those who sponsored and attended were stars as well! All proceeds of the Fashion Show are used to help support cancer patients throughout Memorial Health System, and your support made the burden of cancer a little lighter for patients before, during, and after treatment. The annual fashion show raises money for both the Breast Health Fund and the Cancer Center Patient Emergency Fund. Benefactors of this event impact a large number of families in our region.
In the first six months of fiscal year 2023, the Breast Health Fund, whose specific purpose is to assist underinsured and uninsured patients with screening mammograms has provided almost 100 women in our community this life-saving testing, at a cost of $34,450. This investment in early detection and care underscores our commitment to fostering women’s health and well-being.
The Cancer Center Patient Emergency Fund aids with patient needs for those diagnosed with various types of cancer. In the first half of this fiscal year, your generous support provided cancer patients with $15,627 worth of support in the following areas: transportation, dental care, prescription assistance, housing/rental assistance, nutritional supplements, assistance with utility bills, auto/insurance assistance, and diagnostic testing. The breadth of impact of this fund speaks volumes about our collective dedication to addressing the multifaceted needs of cancer patients.
State of the Art Medical Equipment
Golf Outing Provides Funds for Portable X-Ray Machine
The 24th Annual Golf Outing focused on fundraising to purchase a portable X-ray machine for Selby General Hospital. Generous sponsorships and player support led to a total of $47,835 raised at this year’s outing. The portable X-ray machine has been greatly anticipated by providers at Selby. The machine arrived last week and providers and technicians are currently being trained on this technology.
The portable X-ray machine will bring tangible benefits to both providers and patients, significantly impacting diagnostic imaging practices. Notably, this machine will eliminate the need for unnecessary patient transports and adjustments during X-ray exams, streamlining processes and improving patient experience. Its acquisition is owed, in part, to the support of the funds raised at the golf outing.
This is a cost-effective investment, and studies show that portable X-ray machines offer a reduction in radiation exposure for technicians, reinforcing safety measures within the health system.
