The Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation provided a check for $43,000 to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System to purchase new pulmonary function testing (PFT) equipment. This type of testing has increased 86% since pulmonologist Dr. Jeffrey Kowitz joined PLHS in August 2013. The new equipment is called a body plethysmography unit. It is essentially a large box the patient sits in during a series of breathing exercises to allow for measurement of the overall condition of the lungs, including effort extended for inhaling and exhaling air, lung capacity, oxygen saturation, and other indicators specific to the health of the lungs.
The money for this project was raised during BASH (Building A Superior Hospital) 2014, an annual gala event hosted by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. BASH 2015: A Sense-ational Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015. Proceeds for this event will be directed towards the enhancement of Ear, Nose and Throat and Facial Plastic Surgical services. Tickets will be on sale soon!
The mission of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is: Healthcare is a vital component of a community’s quality of life. Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation exists to raise funds with which to support and advance the health services available to the Watertown area through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Thank you to our donors for supporting this mission and strengthening healthcare in our region.
*Photo: New PFT equipment. Seated is Jill Fuller, President/ CEO of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System; standing from left to right: Alison Gilbertson, Executive Director of Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Jeffery Kowitz, Pulmonologist and Deb Pederson, Director of Respiratory Therapy.