Penn Entertainment, Inc. is pleased to announce its commitment to the Reading Hospital Foundation for $75,000 over the next five years. The PENN Entertainment Foundation donation supports Street Medicine and Gwen’s Closet. In Berks County, these two innovative programs improve the quality of care provided to patients and underserved communities.
The Street Medicine Program uses a team approach to deliver primary and preventive care to the unsheltered, those living in homeless shelters, and those at high risk of homelessness. The goal is to proactively address health issues, decrease emergency department visits, reduce readmission rates, reduce costs, and increase adherence to care and medication plans. In fiscal year 2022, the Street Medicine Program provided a total of 1,861 patient visits.
Gwen’s Closet provides basic clothing items to Reading Hospital patients, typically in the emergency or trauma department. These patients need replacement clothing items because theirs were damaged during their accident or injury. Gwen’s Closet, the vision of a Reading Hospital social worker, ensures that all patients can leave the hospital with dignity. In fiscal year 2022, more than 3,000 clothing items were purchased for patients including sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts, undergarments, and shoes.
“ We are grateful for the support provided by The PENN Entertainment Foundation,” Reading Hospital Foundation president Katherine Thornton said. "Street Medicine and Gwen's Closet provide care for our patients during their most vulnerable times. With their support, we can ensure that our team members can help our patients whenever and wherever they need it."
The PENN Entertainment Foundation was launched in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to assist team members who were impacted by the storm - giving them much-needed support, food, water, clothing, and shelter. Today, the PENN Foundation is proud to support countless local nonprofit organizations throughout North America. From community development efforts, like rebuilding playgrounds and promoting education, to health services and support for veterans and active-duty military, PENN Entertainment Foundation is sincerely focused on giving back to our people and our communities.
“We are proud to partner with Reading Hospital in support of these critically important programs to help those in need in our community,” said Eric Schippers, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for PENN Entertainment and Chair of the PENN Entertainment Foundation. “Located near our corporate headquarters, we appreciate and see firsthand the tremendous care and essential services Reading Hospital provides.”
Reading Hospital Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports Reading Hospital through contributions that make vital projects, programs, and services possible. Donations to the Reading Hospital Foundation ensure it can help continue to meet the needs of all hospital patients. Each gift enhances the quality of care provided and the overall well-being of our community.
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 has been named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022 and 2023. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.