Physicians and Their Families Show Support for the ER
The medical staff at Munson Medical Center identified a new ER as the hospital’s top capital need for the past three years. Physicians have now backed that opinion by reaching into their own pockets to donate a total of $500,000.
Three sections stepped forward to make lead pledges of $100,000 each:
The 23 ER physicians and department staff, led by section chief Dale Blum, MD
The 11 physicians and three physician assistants of the Hospitalist section, led by Kenneth Friar, MD – the Hospitalist section made its first installment in memory of Karen Gilhooly, MD
The 21 physicians of Traverse Anesthesia Associates, led by Frederick Campbell, MD
“We need a new ER now. The proposal to build a new ER has been identified as the top priority by Munson physicians.”
-Dale Blum, MD
“As physicians caring for the surgical population who enter the system through the ER, we recognize that continued growth of the hospital’s size and scope of services provided are vitally important for the health care of the growing number of northern Michigan residents,” said Dr. Campbell, President of Traverse Anesthesia Associates.
“Furthermore, as members of that northern Michigan population, we recognize the importance of having a first rate emergency center to deliver prompt care to ourselves and our family when it is our time of need,” he said. “We look forward to continuing a mutually supportive relationship and our role in the fulfillment of the hospital’s mission.”
In addition to the three section pledges, many physicians have made pledges ranging from $3,000 to $25,000.
Cathie Martin, co-chairman of the ER Campaign Cabinet’s Physician Giving Committee — and a physician’s wife — said contributions of that size are a family decision. “These gifts represent the support, not only of the physicians, but their families, as well,” she said.
The ER project has very wide appeal to medical families because “we know that eventually our families, our patients, our friends and our neighbors will use it,” Martin said. “My husband and my mother have been in the ER and they’ve received excellent care. We also know and trust the physicians who have been involved in the planning for the ER. Our dollars are proof of that trust.”
Martin said the committee has an ambitious goal and will continue to provide opportunities for physicians to make pledges.
“I am grateful, personally, to the physicians who have contributed,” said Kyle Carr, MD, co-chairman of the Physicians Giving Committee. “Physicians are leading members of the community and their support to this campaign is significant. The new ER is going to serve their families and patients, and all the other people they care about in the community.”
Members of the Physicians Giving Committee include David and Cathie Martin, Kyle and Betsy Carr, Jim and Sue Woodburn, Ken and Pat Musson, and Dale and Marilyn Blum.
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