Lenoir Hospital Foundation recently provided $126,339 for 2024 funding to support UNC Health Lenoir projects.

The Lenoir Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization that supports the mission of UNC Health Lenoir which is to ensure exceptional healthcare for the people we serve.

Leaders at the hospital identified projects that would benefit from grant support and asked the Foundation for assistance outside of the regular hospital budgeting process.

Nine outstanding projects were financially supported enhancing patient and overall community health.  Projects focused on community outreach and support as well as employee health initiatives and medical interventions.  Below is a brief description of each of the nine grants supported by the Lenoir Hospital Foundation.

• Outpatient Services Transport: Patient care is a priority at UNC Health Lenoir; therefore, this project is requesting funding for ten signs and posts to identify reserved parking spaces for outpatient treatment and one all-terrain wheelchair to transport through parking lots for Lenoir Wound Care. 

• NuStep Equipment: This is an innovative product that allows users of all ages to improve their cardiovascular health and overall physical fitness. Presently, our Minges Wellness Center has 7 aging NuStep machines that need replacing.  These are 1999 models for which parts are obsolete anymore. We have been asked to fund 3 NuStep pieces of equipment.  

• Teammate Health Strategy & Wellbeing Program:  Welcome/Wellness packets given to all new employees to make an immediate connection between leaders and new hires, informing them of the many wellness opportunities available in our organization and creating an immediate relationship between them and their manager that will promote self-care. 

• Food Pantry Project:  Supply food insecurity baskets/bags to patients who screen positive on the Social Determinants of health questions that ask if they have hard ship paying for food or if their food supply runs out before they can buy more.  

• Newborn gift baskets:  an existing foundation funded program that offers a demonstration of caring through the gifting of a few basic infant care supplies and other newborn essentials that can be used during the first week of life outside of the womb.  On average there are 20 deliveries a month and each basket costs $15 so this would be a cost of $300/month. 

• Cancer screening (Mammograms) and Ceiling Art:  an existing foundation funded program to continue mammogram screenings in the community and surrounding areas. The new request is for the addition of ceiling art panels with LED lights and controlled brightness to enhance the patient experience and assist in creating a relaxed atmosphere. 

• Health and wellness vending machine:  to offer a combination of convenience and innovation to better serve UNC Health Lenoir teammates, patients, and visitors who may need frequently used items such as over the counter medications, health care products and first aid items.  

• Exercise equipment for bariatric patients to be utilized at home:  due to limited access to transportation, it is difficult for many patients to travel to and from the Minges Wellness Center to continue their recommended exercise routine.  A take home fitness bag including 5 lb. dumbbells, variety of resistance bands, and a fitness first pedometer can assist in the success of these patients from the comfort of their home. 

• Ultrasonic instrumentation cleaner (a minimally invasive DaVinci Robot project need): the induction of the DaVinci Surgical System here at UNC Health Lenoir will increase efficiency of minimally invasive surgeries by decreasing surgery times, minimizing the number of incisions, and improving the healing and recovery time of patients.  This instrument cleaner is a must have for the DaVinci.

“Our goal is to enhance the work of our hospital.  We select projects that are meaningful to the care we provide in our own community”, said Carmon Jones, Foundation Board Chairman.  She added, “Our Board approved these grants, and we are pleased to be able to support all the requested projects again this year.  Donations to the Foundation make this possible and reflect the generosity and appreciation for what our hospital does, and we are so very grateful.”

The Lenoir Hospital Foundation was established over thirty-five years ago to receive and steward private donations for the purpose of enhancing patient care through support to UNC Health Lenoir.  For more information about the Foundation or how you can support our initiatives please visit lenoirfoundation.org.