At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Foundation, I get to see firsthand how our community rallies to take care of each other during difficult times.
What’s happened since March in response to COVID-19 has been amazing. Tallahasseeans and donors from throughout our region responded immediately and generously to help TMH protect patients and healthcare providers from COVID-19, and we are so grateful.
These donations helped TMH prepare for the dramatic influx of positive cases that we are now experiencing.
Here’s the truth: TMH will do whatever it takes to provide excellent care for anyone who needs it, but we’ve never faced such extraordinary challenges. July brought a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 patients to TMH, and we know that this terrible virus will be with us for months to come.
To give you an idea of what’s happening, here are a few examples, related to supplies, of the impact on your local hospital:
- During the three months of April through June 2020, TMH used 8,000 surgical masks. As of July 27, we had used 43,000 surgical masks during the month of July alone.
- During all last year, TMH spent $22,000 on surgical boot covers. In the past three months, we have spent $34,000
- A pre-COVID-19 surgical mask cost $0.07. Post COVID-19, that same mask costs $0.25. Bouffant caps have increased from $0.05 to $0.35 per unit.
That’s just a glimpse of how COVID-19 has affected TMH. We can’t say thank you enough to the people who helped TMH prepare by giving through the TMH Foundation.
Since late March, donors have given over $614,837 to help TMH establish the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and to rapidly expand TMH Carelink, the regional telemedicine network. Donations have provided:
- Over 10,000 face masks to protect TMH staff.
- More than 50 telemedicine units to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure.
- Support for community testing sites.
- A state-of-the-art disinfecting system for the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center to protect our most vulnerable patients.
- Daily meals and stress relief for staff working on the front lines of COVID-19.
In addition, countless businesses, restaurants and individuals have donated meals, handmade cards, gift cards and other items of appreciation for TMH staff.
Our community is simply wonderful.
This generous support has been a point of light and encouragement for so many people, including TMH healthcare heroes who are working 12-hour shifts in full PPE (personal protective equipment) to care for patients with COVID-19.
These actions show that many residents care deeply about the health of our community. Whether it’s healing patients with COVID-19 or advancing the latest technology to treat patients with cancer, stroke or heart disease, giving through the TMH Foundation helps provide the best possible healthcare right here at home in Tallahassee.
If you’ve given through the TMH Foundation, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve been fortunate to call the capital city home since 2012, and I’m honored to be a part of our community’s local, nonprofit hospital.
I know that these past few months have been so difficult for everyone. Our community’s generosity during this time is yet another reason why I love and Choose Tallahassee.
By Nigel E. Allen
President and Chief Advancement Officer
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation
Learn more:
TMHFoundation.org
Nigel.Allen@TMH.ORG
850-431-5752