MercyOne Des Moines Responds to Central Iowans Offers to Help
Des Moines, Iowa, March 30, 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lives and created uncertainty. During this time, Iowans are doing what they have always done — reaching out and asking, “how can I help?” Because of the unpredictability of the novel coronavirus, as health care providers we must be very selective in what we can receive to protect our patients, colleagues and communities. This is why MercyOne Des Moines Foundation has established the COVID-19 Response Fund at mercyone.org/desmoinesfoundation/give/covid.
The COVID-19 Response Fund will allow the community to have a direct impact on patient care. All donations will be restricted for delivering relief during the pandemic. 100% of these funds will be used to aid our medical professionals through efforts such as:
- Providing essential medical supplies
- Acquiring needed equipment
- Resiliency and mental health resources for physicians, nurses and hospital staff
- Providing patient financial assistance
- Providing unforeseen and just-in-time needed resources to assist physicians, nurses and caregivers in caring for patients
“We are humbled by the generosity shown MercyOne Des Moines and the many offers of assistance,” said MercyOne Des Moines Foundation President Shannon Cofield. “Together, we will overcome this pandemic and emerge stronger.”
In addition to the COVID-19 Response Fund, additional options exist to help front line providers and students impacted.
The MercyOne Des Moines Employee Relief Fund was created to help MercyOne Des Moines employees in their hour of need. Our colleagues are our greatest asset at MercyOne Des Moines, and this fund allows us to provide needed support, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Mercy College of Health Sciences Student Emergency Needs Fund provides funding to students to help cover unexpected expenses that arise which may impact the student’s ability to continue in school – including those associated with the COVID-19 virus. Your gift will provide support to students who are experiencing food insecurity, housing needs, medical bills, utility bill shortfalls or other financial challenges. We are committed to supporting our healthcare students who are being educated to serve our community in the future.
In-Kind Gift Donations are another way to support our nurses, physicians and staff working on the front lines while also supporting local businesses. We recommend donating a gift card from a local restaurant to be given to front line team members to order a meal. At this time, we are not accepting homemade food items. For more information on how you can help, contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Senior Director of Development Joan Bindel at (515) 643-8020 or JBindel@mercydesmoines.org.
About MercyOne Central Iowa
MercyOne Central Iowa operates four not-for-profit, Catholic medical centers in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Newton and Centerville (875 beds combined total) and two specialty hospitals – MercyOne Children’s Hospital in Des Moines and MercyOne Rehabilitation Hospital in Clive – along with more than 20 additional facilities that house more than 50 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, MercyOne Central Iowa has the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and is also one of the largest employers in the state, with more than 7,000 employees and a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and allied health associates. MercyOne Central Iowa is a member of MercyOne, which was founded in 1998 through a collaboration between CommonSpirit Health and Trinity Health – two of the country’s foremost, not-for-profit Catholic health organizations. The MercyOne system has more than 20,000 colleagues in Iowa and surrounding states.
About MercyOne Des Moines Foundation
MercyOne Des Moines Foundation secures vital funding that ensures equal access, clinical excellence and high-quality care for all in Greater Des Moines. Learn more at MercyOne.org/desmoinesfoundation.