Genesis Gala Raises More Than $145,000 For
NICU Equipment And Nursing Scholarships
DAVENPORT, Iowa – The success of the 2008 Genesis Gala will provide advanced equipment for the expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and will fund scholarships for present and future Genesis caregivers.
The April 19 Genesis Foundation "Casino Royale'' Gala at the RiverCenter in Davenport raised more than $145,000.
“We are excited to announce that the funds raised from the Gala will support the purchase of isolettes, bedside cardiac monitors and bed warmers for the NICU as it continues to grow in response to the community's needs," said Jennifer Crome, chairperson of the event this year with her husband, Chris Crome, M.D. “The generosity of everyone who attended the Gala will allow Genesis to provide the best care possible for the youngest patients.''
The NICU expansion will meet the needs of premature babies born in the Quad Cities, allowing the infants to remain in Davenport, closer to home. In the past, babies with the same health issues would have been transported to the University of Iowa. Critically ill babies at Genesis receive care from a local neonatologist, a pediatric cardiologist, pediatric ophthalmologist and other specialists.
Just prior to the live auction of the Genesis Gala, Maggie Wiederholt spoke to nearly 300 guests. Maggie suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly called "brittle bone" disease and is in tremendous bone pain most of the time. Maggie spoke about how Genesis nurses work to ease her pain, increase her mobility and the love she has for the nurses at Genesis. "They are a part of my family," said Maggie.
The live auction raised nearly $60,000, which will be used to provide educational scholarships to current Genesis Medical Center, Davenport nurses and for college students who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
The nursing scholarships create a relationship between students and Genesis so that the tradition of nursing excellence at Genesis can continue for generations to come.
Genesis is the region’s only Magnet nursing hospital. The Magnet designation recognizes the highest standards of nursing care demonstrated at a select group of hospitals nationally and internationally.
“It was a pleasure to serve as chairs this year and to have the opportunity to work closely with a strong committee of community volunteers and with the Genesis Health Services Foundation staff,'' Jennifer Crome added.
The mission of the Genesis Health Services Foundation is to develop, manage and grant charitable support to meet the health-related needs of the communities we serve.
###