Shelton Area Hospital Thrives Through Charitable Partnership

Since 2010, eighty-three rural hospitals have closed across the country with new ones opening only in urban areas. The trend is likely to continue as small community hospitals face declining inpatient visits and reduced medical reimbursements. While revenue decreases, the need to improve patient care, attract talented professionals and stay competitive remains. Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics (MGH&FC) in Shelton, Washington, is no different except it has found a strategic charitable partner to help it thrive with over 150 enlisted volunteers and thousands of donors, including Mark and Bobbie Jo Mager.

Through the work of the Mason General Hospital Foundation, MGH&FC continues to prosper despite economic hardships facing the area including the closing of Simpson Timber Company, which was a primary employer in Shelton.

“This area has below average annual incomes, higher than average unemployment and children without health insurance,” explained Mark, a life-long Shelton area resident, financial advisor with Community Financial Center, endowment committee member, as well as, prior board member for the foundation. “For Bobbie Jo and myself, everything starts with the kids. Children in this community are able to receive top-notch health care regardless of the hardships their families face because of Mason General Hospital Foundation and the Foundation’s strong alignment with MGH&FC’s vision of ‘United Community, Empowered People, and Exceptional Health.’”

Each year, the Mason General Hospital Foundation aims to meet several financial goals that align with the hospital’s mission to enhance the quality of healthcare in Mason County. They have helped the hospital open a $33MM state of the art surgery center, found new ways to attract leading doctors and staff, and continue to provide in charity care to residents annually.

The new goal is to raise a portion of the funds needed to purchase a 3D Mammography, which has proven to be more effective than 2D Mammography at finding more cancers and reducing the number of false positives. The cost of this equipment is $542,000.

The foundation raises money through a variety of channels including their annual Fantasy Forest, A Benefit for Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics. For twenty-three years, the community has enjoyed this signature week-long, holiday event which features professionally designed decorated trees as a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for the delight of all ages. Several events held throughout the week provide something for everyone including a Father-Daughter Night Out, Beer and Wine Tasting, Dessert Auction and Gala with Live Auction.

The Fantasy Forest event focused on raising a portion of the $542,000 support needed to fund the new 3D mammography unit. In fact, the entire event raised over $196,000. Over $70,000 of the total raised through Fantasy Forest was contributed during the Fund-An-Item appeal during the Gala and Live Auction on Saturday night!

As the top funding priority for MGH&FC and the Foundation, fundraising will continue in 2018 and 2019 for the new 3D Mammography unit. “There are so many who put their blood, sweat, and tears into making Fantasy Forest a truly magical event,” said Mark. “When it comes to our local hospital and family of clinics it takes a community of volunteers, strategic thinkers, and givers to keep them strong and our towns healthy. In the end, we are the fuel that enables them to thrive.”

To learn more about the Mason General Hospital Foundation, their upcoming Fantasy Forest, and to donate visit: https://www.masongeneral.com/foundation

To learn more about Mark Mager and Community Financial Center visit: https://www.ourcu.com/community-financial-center/