The Pratt Health Foundation’s Gifts and Bequests Committee encourages people to consider memorial and estate gifts. The Committee uses undesignated gifts to purchase technical medical equipment for Pratt Regional Medical Center (PRMC).

Since its inception in 1975 the Gifts and Bequests Committee has received over $1 million and has disbursed 90% of the funds it has received with the remaining funds kept in reserve for critical medical equipment needs. It pays no expenses from the memorial gifts as they are covered by the hospital.

Some families have designated their memorial funds for specific programs. Recently this was the case with the Pratt Regional Living Center (PRLC), which became a part of PRMC in 1996. Many have enjoyed the manner in which their family members were treated and have expressed their appreciation through memorial or estate designations. The Gifts and Bequests Committee had documented over $2,000 in memorial gifts designated for PRLC.

The health of those who stay or live in a senior facility has a lot to do with the environment. It has to be healthy and by healthy we mean that it needs to be clean, pleasant and mentally stimulating. It is not unusual to see animals, aquariums and aviaries in senior facilities. This was considered by the Living Center as it does everything it can to provide a home-like atmosphere.

In July, the Gifts and Bequests Committee was asked to consider a request from Pratt Regional Living Center to purchase an aviary for its residents. The Committee typically limits its focus to the medical equipment needs of PRMC but due to the expressed wishes of several memorial gifts, they considered this unique request. It was determined that an aviary did contribute to the pleasant atmosphere, would mentally stimulate the residents, provide inter-generational learning opportunities and improve attitudes in general. So they granted the request and PRLC now has an aviary for their residents and the community to enjoy.

The PHF Gifts and Bequests Committee encourages people to consider leaving a portion of their will or estate to the Pratt Health Foundation for the general capital equipment needs of Pratt Regional Medical Center. Typically the equipment needs of PRMC exceed $1 million and donors are asked to consider an estate gift to address this need.

If help is needed in designing a will or estate plan the Foundation has no-cost, no-obligation professional counsel available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call the Pratt Health Foundation office at (620) 672-6411 for more details.

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