St. Bernards has received a grant in excess of $125,000 to expand its healthcare capabilities fighting COVID-19 in northeast Arkansas.
The grant, administered by the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas to the St. Bernards Development Foundation, will help fund the conversion of emergency department treatment rooms into “negative-pressure” rooms for improved infection control and respiratory treatment at St. Bernards Five Rivers in Pocahontas, Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge and CrossRidge Community Hospital in Wynne. Funds will also help St. Bernards purchase testing equipment for faster diagnosis and treatment of patients who have COVID-19 symptoms.
St. Bernards Senior Vice President of Administrative Services Kevin Hodges said that northeast Arkansas has desperately needed these types of services.
“Our capabilities at St. Bernards will improve greatly with these additions,” Hodges said, “especially to help those most impacted by COVID-19.”
Hodges described the funds, totaling $126,705, as much-needed assistance.
“COVID-19 has not only placed a significant strain on our healthcare system’s capabilities, it has also strained us economically,” he said. “We are grateful the Blue & You Foundation recognized the challenges facing healthcare providers across our state as they battle this virus.”
The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas will provide up to $1.7 million to Arkansas organizations working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or helping communities deal with its effects. More information is found at BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org.