Indiana’s Largest Public Hospital to Hold Fifth-Annual Televised Fund Drive
July 26, 2006
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis, July 26, 2006 – For nearly 150 years, Wishard Health Services has provided high quality, cost-effective healthcare to the citizens of Marion County. Through the years, Wishard has risen to the challenge of continuing this compassionate work amid rising healthcare costs, increased demand for services for the poor and decreasing reimbursement rates. Now more than ever, Wishard counts upon the community's help to carry out this noble mission of caring for the underserved.
As it does each year through its televised fundraising event, Wishard Health Services is appealing to the community to contribute critical funds for patient care needs throughout the hospital, its eight community health centers, Midtown Community Mental Health Center and Lockefield Village Health and Rehabilitation Center. The Wishard Telethon will air throughout central Indiana on Wednesday, August 9 at 7 p.m. on WTHR Channel 13 and will share Wishard's rich history and stories of healing and hope from Wishard patients and their families.
"This event is especially important in these challenging economic times, as rising rates of uninsured individuals coupled with increasing healthcare costs severely strain Wishard’s ability to provide much needed care," said Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO and medical director for Wishard Health Services. "We are grateful for the community's help and support in providing for those who are most vulnerable."
The problem of the uninsured is growing worse across the United States. The federal government estimates that more than 45 million Americans lack coverage of any kind for an entire year. Other research shows that tens of millions more Americans go without health coverage for shorter periods of time. Indiana is not immune to this healthcare dilemma – Wishard Health Services is the second-largest provider of outpatient indigent care in the country.
Wishard's role in caring for the community is vital. But with nearly 90 percent of Wishard's patients lacking commercial health insurance, the organization's ability to provide exceptional healthcare to those who are most at-risk requires sources of funding beyond government insurance reimbursements and property taxes. Every dollar raised during the Wishard Telethon on August 9 goes directly to patient care needs throughout Wishard Health Services.
The community continues to rally behind Wishard as a place to count on for compassionate care for the underserved. Corporations and organizations making major contributions to the Wishard Telethon 2006 include Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, IU Medical Group, AFSCME, RN Specialties, University Plastic Surgery Associates, the Law Offices of Wilson Kehoe & Winingham, IKON Office Solutions, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Argent Healthcare Financial Services, FTI Cambio Health Solutions, Korn/Ferry International, MedAssist, Sagamore Health Network, Subway Restaurants, US Foodservice, and Wishard Emergency Department Physicians.
Every year nearly $2 million is donated to Wishard Health Services. Patient care areas benefiting from last year's event include Prenatal Care Coordination, Lockefield Village Health and Rehabilitation Center, Midtown Community Mental Health Center, Women's and Children's Services, Med/Surg and the Acute Rehabilitation Center, along with several others.
Wishard Health Services is the public hospital division of the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County and is managed by the Indiana University School of Medicine whose physicians provide a comprehensive range of primary and specialty care services. The Wishard Memorial Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) organization, established in 1985 to raise funds and awareness for Wishard Health Services and the Marion County Health Department.
Contributions may be made to Wishard Health Services anytime by calling the Wishard Telethon office at 630-6502 or visiting www.Wishard.edu.