07/31/2026
Medical Center Foundation grants funding for many local causes
The Medical Center Foundation (MCF) Advisory Board members have been busy spending money that enhance healthcare services, support staff development, and improve the patient experience at Central Montana Medical Center and throughout the community.
During the past quarter, MCF Advisory Board recommended the following awards from the following MCF funds:
From the General Fund
• $21,539 for a bariatric bed for the Acute Care Department to improve patient safety and comfort.
• $500 for the bicycle helmet giveaway at the Ready, Set, Summer Safety Event.
• $480 for the Fergus High School After-Prom Party helped provide a safe and substance-free after-prom celebration.
From the Education Fund
• $1,000 was awarded to help CMMC’s Laboratory Manager attend a national laboratory conference to bring industry knowledge and best practices back to the whole team.
From the Cancer Center Fund
• $1,500 will support the Cancer Support Community Montana, which offers critical support to cancer patients - including local individuals and families - through educational resources, travel assistance, information services, and support groups.
From the Friends of First Responders Fund
• $2,116 will help with CPR certification costs for local EMT volunteers, helping ensure continued access to trained emergency responders throughout our region.
From Darci’s Gift-Save a Life Fund
• $2,500 will help 82 Fergus High School sophomores in obtaining CPR and First Aid certifications, equipping students with lifesaving skills that can benefit their families, schools, and communities.
From the Nursing Excellence Fund
• $885 provided support for Oncology Nursing Certification for two Registered Nurses.
• $1,120 helped two nurses participate in the
Montana Breastfeeding Learning Collaborative, expanding their expertise and strengthening maternal and infant care services.
• $892 assisted a phlebotomist in pursuing prerequisite coursework for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), investing in the development of the future nursing workforce.
• $500 supported Hospital Week activities that celebrated staff, strengthened team connections, and recognized the commitment of those who provide exceptional care to our patients and community.
• $625 helped with Certified Nursing Assistant education and certification for a newly hired employee, strengthening the future healthcare workforce in our community.
From the Hospice Fund
• $5,532 was awarded for bariatric bed frames to support over-sized bariatric mattresses already purchased for patient care, enhancing safety, comfort, and dignity for larger patients. The mattresses also provide space for a loved one to rest alongside a hospice patient.
From the Today Fund
Donor-designated gifts helped the following projects:
• $41,255 for Acute Care will help with room remodels and patient room improvements, helping create a comfortable, healing environment.
• $3,000 updated two postpartum rooms in the Obstetrics Department with a fresh coat of paint, creating a more welcoming, comfortable, and healing environment.
• $3,091 helped purchase a water birth pool and sterile kits to provide additional comfort-focused labor options for mothers in the OB Department. Water labor has been shown to promote relaxation, improve patient satisfaction, and support a more positive birth experience.
• $350 from a donor-designated gift helped create a welcome wall in the OB Department for staging or taking photos as families celebrate the birth of new babies and the beginning of a new chapter.
• $1,174 from the Sonny Moline Memorial Fund helped the Acute Care Department recognize and celebrate Nurses Week, honoring the nurses whose skill, compassion, and dedication make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families.
• $2,500 was granted by Town Pump for an EMT to pursue paramedic education, helping expand the availability of highly trained emergency medical professionals in our region.
• $150,000 in donor support made possible the purchase of a C-Arm, which is a mobile imaging device that provides real-time X-ray guidance during surgical, orthopedic, and pain management procedures, improving precision and patient care.
From the Hospice and Home Health Fund
• $4,073 was granted to help launch an evidence-based Music Therapy pilot program in Hospice and Home Health. Music therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood, foster emotional connection and expression, and enhance quality of life, offering comfort, healing, and support to patients and their loved ones.
From the HOPE Fund
• $3,562 from the HOPE fund helped four CMMC employees in crisis. The HOPE Fund is primarily funded through employee giving and is used to help co-workers navigate unexpected emergencies.
MCF Director Abby Franks said donor-designated gifts are a way to target specific needs in a timely fashion. To learn more about how to support MCF funds and projects like these, contact Abby at 406.535.6309, or email her at [email protected]. 📸Donors to Central Montana Medical Center (MCF) funds provide support for ongoing training for CMMC staff, EMT volunteers, and local high school students.
