Hospital

The Bethesda Foundation is committed to support Bethesda North Hospital, Bethesda Butler Hospital and Bethesda Arrow Springs in its mission to improve the health status of the growing community we serve. Here are some of the ways that philanthropy creates a margin of excellence in our the communities.

Geriatric Friendly Emergency Department

Through the support of generous donors and the Bethesda LYCEUM event, the Bethesda Foundation was able to help fund the rennovation of the Emergency Department to make it Geriatric Friendly.

 According to Maria Newsad, RN, department manager, Bethesda North is the first hospital in Cincinnati to customize its Emergency Department in this way and is one of only a handful across the country. The project has improved comfort, safety and convenience for seniors, who account for 27 percent of Bethesda North’s 59,000 ED visits each year.

Key elements of the project include:
• Slip-resistant floors, improved hand rails, sound-dampening equipment and reduced-glare lighting/wall paint
• Stretchers with thicker padding to better protect fragile skin
• Geriatric-focused training for 70 nurses
• Screenings for cognitive impairment, functional impairment and fall risk
• Nurse navigator program toaid in discharge instructions, follow-up physician appointments and home health needs assistance

Harold & Margret Thomas Special Care Nursery

Most of the babies born at Bethesda North Hospital are full-term, strong and healthy, but approximately 5% are born in need of special care.  The Harold & Margret Thomas Special Care Nursery at Bethesda North is a Level II nursery equipped and staffed to care for babies born prematurely and those needing more-than-routine medical attention.

The facility offers eight single rooms and two double rooms to provide extra space for twins.  Each infant and family enjoys a private room which enhances the bonding experience as well as decreases noise and other sensory stimulation.

Bethesda North Hospital invested $2 million in the Harold & Margret Thomas Special Care Nursery, and the Bethesda Foundation raised an additional $1.8 million in support from the community, including the Thomases and many TriHealth team members.

Mary Jo Cropper Family Center for Breast Care

Through the support of many generous donors, the Mary Jo Cropper Family Center for Breast Care opened its doors in 2009. The center provides a comprehensive breast care program with a full spectrum of services along with the latest technology and clinical research.

Known for its compassionate care and multi-disciplinary approach, the Mary Jo Cropper Family Center for Breast Care is one of the crown jewels in the TriHealth system. Susan Weinberg, M.D. and her staff at the breast center take great pride in delivering excellent care to its patients and their families. The growing number of patients served each year confirms our belief that Bethesda North is one of the premier centers for breast care in the region.

While there is no magic pill that will prevent breast cancer, donor support helps improve women’s chances for positive outcomes. The breast center staff is committed to continuing their success with early detection, offering rapid diagnoses and treatment, improving survival rates and providing access to all populations.

Simulation Training

In health care, hands-on experience is the best teacher.  Thanks to the support of Bethesda donors, health care providers can practice various medical scenarios through the TriHealth Center for Simulation & Education at Bethesda North Hospital.  Training on computer-driven human patient simulators allows first responders, fire squads and hospital staff to hone their skills in a safe and controlled environment.  These simulators accurately mirror human responses to injury, illness and interventions such as CPR, intravenous medication, intubation, ventilation and catheterization. 

In addition to offering paramedic refresher and EMS certification courses and simulation training, the center hosts an annual conference for emergency medical providers.  Locally and nationally renowned experts discuss current topics and trends in the management of trauma and critical care patients.  The conference is supported through a Bethesda Foundation community outreach grant.

Research and Clinical Improvement Grants

Each year, the Bethesda Foundation has grants over $200,000 to fund important research and clinical improvement studies. These studies help Bethesda North Hospitalmeet the health care needs of our growing community. Providing opportunities for research and clinical improvement is just one more way that Bethesda Foundation saves lives and changes lives.

Active and teaching Bethesda physicians and other Bethesda healthcare providers including nurses, pharmacists and physical therapists are invited to apply for funding.  The next application deadline is January 27, 2016.

The Hatton Research Institute is available to help with the application process. Please contact Lori Reid or call 513-862-5124.

For more information or to request the guidelines and application, contact Amy Lamborg at 513-865-1613.