With the help of local donors, the Cody Regional Health Foundation can obtain necessary items for the COVID-19 crisis

Cody Regional Health is collaborating with many entities in the community to ensure safe and effective ways of treating patients during this pandemic. Our community is also a strong supporter of what we are doing.

A donor, Nick Piazza, a 1996 Cody High School graduate and a graduate of Lake Forest (Illinois) College, is now CEO of SP Advisors, a business consulting firm in Ukraine. Piazza reached out to Cody Regional Health Incident Command Team early last week in an effort to help our hospital and our community in this time of uncertainty.

Piazza purchased four additional ventilators, at approximately $14,000 a piece, for Cody Regional Health to bring the total number of ventilators up to twelve.

“These kind gestures are impacting all of us. Our community is one of the most giving and supporting communities that I have ever lived in.” said Annalea Avery, CRH Foundation Director.

Many in the community are doing what they can to support each other, and the hospital employees during these unprecedented times. A group of sewing enthusiasts reached out to Avery to see if they could help by making additional facemasks for clinical employees. Avery said that the idea came from a Facebook post from a Deaconess Hospital in Indiana.

According to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted. “Homemade masks could be used as a last resort according to CDC.” said Kyle Paquin, Infection Prevention Specialist. “Ideally homemade masks should be used in combination with a face shield that covers the mask. Washable fabric masks were once a standard for hospitals, but may be used when other supplies have been exhausted. While it’s less than ideal, we want to do our best to protect our staff and patients during this pandemic.”

Collected masks will be immediately sent to laundry/processing to be prepared for use. Any surplus masks will be distributed to other organizations in need.

If you are interested in making a donation to CRH for the COVID-19 crisis please visit our website and make a gift online at: https://www.codyregionalhealth.org/recurring-donations/

Or reach out to:

Annalea Avery, Foundation and Patient Experience Director

CRH again advises everyone to practice the four ways to minimize the spread of COVID-19:

1. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, isolate at home and contact the Call Center Screening line at 307-578-2000 or connect with your health care provider.
2. Practice appropriate self-distancing, staying home when possible and maintaining a six- foot separation from others when in a group.
3. Cover your cough and sneeze at all times.
4. Practice appropriate hand washing for 20 seconds or more, at all times.

All of these actions are for the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff and a precautionary step. For further information about COVID-19, please call 307.527.1870 or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html