The Friends of Reading Hospital (The Friends) announced today they are providing $160,193 in funding for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023.

Projects being funded for July through September of 2022 include:

  • McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital Patient Assistance Fund, which provides financial relief with non-medical expenses to cancer patients in need and who are undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment at McGlinn Cancer Institute.
  •  Warm Handoff Program, a partnership between Reading Hospital Emergency Department (ED) and the Council On Chemical Abuse (COCA). The program provides Certified Recovery Staff in the ED 24 hours a day. Individuals who come to the Emergency Department suffering from the effects of opioid or other substance abuse meet with a recovery support specialist who can arrange for immediate admission to a detox or drug and alcohol treatment program, which can save lives and help people get on the road to recovery.
  • Reach Out and Read, which distributes age-appropriate books to children during their Well-Child Check-Ups in affiliation with the nationally recognized Reach Out and Read program. This program emphasizes the importance of “pre-literacy” development and the advantageous impact it has on the future growth and development of children as they progress through childhood. Having a child’s pediatrician give children books and instruct parents on their utilizations for improving their children’s overall well-being and growth development is a vital step towards improving the future citizenry of Reading and Greater Berks County.
  • Automatic Compression Devices for the Department of Emergency Medicine to help provide chest compressions to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The assistance of these devices can improve cardiac arrest survival and survival with good neurologic outcomes.
  • Center for Parenting, a program at the Children’s Health Center offering group visits for parents and babies to learn about child development and safety. The program provides parenting resources to mothers and children at risk and offers interactive experiences to engage parents.
  • Neonatal Turtle Tubs, which help promote Swaddle Bathing in both the NICU and Pediatric Units. Swaddle bathing is an evidenced based, developmentally supportive technique of wrapping an infant in a blanket and immersing the swaddled infant in the bathwater to provide containment and support for the infant during the bath. Swaddle bathing promotes natural flexion and reduces environmental and other stressors typically experienced by an infant during a non-swaddled bath or sponge bath.

Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital President and CEO said, “The Friends of Reading Hospital have been a dedicated partner to the hospital for more than 130 years and are a constant support to our community and team members. I thank them for their commitment to our mission.”

“On behalf of The Friends I’d like to thank our sponsors and donors for their generosity,” Sharon Keating, President, The Friends of Reading Hospital added, “We are proud to provide funding and are confident these projects will enhance education and access to life-saving care for the patients and families in our community.

The Friends of Reading Hospital is an association of dedicated community leaders that focuses on raising funds through events like Reading Hospital Road Run to support and enhance Reading Hospital's promise of "Advancing Health. Transforming Lives." By funding health and wellness programs, grants, and initiatives, The Friends have made a powerful and sustainable impact on the hospital, its patients, and the surrounding community, and are resolved to continue this support for years to come. 

 

About Reading Hospital

Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center, and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.