MercyMedical Center Foundation receives Peregrine Charities grant
CEDAR RAPIDS – Mercy Medical Center Foundation is among the first four recipients of grant awards totaling $265,000 from Peregrine Charities, a private foundation based in Cedar Falls , Iowa . The mission of Peregrine Charities is to support medical research for rare pediatric diseases and provide assistance with children’s hospitalization and medical treatments. In addition, the mission includes formation of partnerships with local and regional health care facilities to help children in need.
Mercy Medical Center Foundation was awarded a $50,000 grant for renovation, equipment, and supplies to aid with pediatric emergencies in a new emergency department currently under construction at Mercy Medical Center . These child-friendly areas will create more access and efficiency when responding to pediatric emergencies. The new waiting areas and private patient exam rooms will be designed to create a more child-friendly environment. The grant will provide funding for distraction strategies such as a virtual aquarium, DVD players and movies as well as child-sized furniture, rocking chairs and artwork that appeals to children.
“We are grateful for the Peregrine Charities grant which will make the Emergency Department a more comfortable space for our young patients,” says Dr. Mark Pospisil, director of Mercy’s Emergency Department. “It has been one of our goals to create a more pediatric-focused area to accommodate the increased volume of children seen in our Fast Track area.”
The other grant recipients include the University of Iowa Foundation in Iowa City , Allen Hospital Foundation in Waterloo , and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
