Samaritan Healthcare Foundation Receives $23,400 Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Moses Lake, Wash. -- The Samaritan Healthcare Foundation received $23,400 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to purchase technology for the Masto Health Library at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. The grant, will assist Samaritan Hospital in providing state of the art health information via computer, interactive video, and the Internet to the general public.

The grant, from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Community Access to Technology program, will be used to purchase public accessible computers, a laser printer/copier/scanner, multi-media projector and other technology to enhance the library’s ability to provide healthcare information to the community. 

“The expansion and remodel project at Samaritan Hospital allows us to expand the role of our library to the public,” said Dave Campbell, executive director at Samaritan Healthcare Foundation. “The library is now conveniently located on the fourth floor of the hospital where patients and family members, as well as persons lacking technology at home, can easily access visual, written and personal resources to assist them in understanding a diagnosis, prevention techniques for illness complications, and maintenance of good health.”

The ability to provide relevant and accurate health information and prevention education is a unique niche in the Moses Lake area. Samaritan’s partnership with Inland Northwest TeleHealth Network, based in Spokane, provides access to interactive and satellite healthcare programs that are not otherwise available to the general public. The public has access to interactive video with the opportunity to discuss healthcare needs, options or cultural alternatives with a healthcare specialist from a distant city.

“The Samaritan Healthcare Foundation provides an important service to hospital patrons and the general public,” said Ken Thompson, director of the Community Access to Technology program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “It is often difficult for patients and their families to access information about health related issues. Increased technology at Samaritan Hospital will improve the availability of this important information.” 

On the Internet:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, www.gatesfoundation.org
Samaritan Healthcare Foundation, www.samaritanhealthcare.com