Evangelical Community Hospital Granted Funds Supporting Safe to Care Initiatives

April 29, 2024

Evangelical Community Hospital was recently awarded a grant of $40,000 from the Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP). The funds are designated to support the Hospital's Safe to Care initiatives.

Healthcare workers are five times as likely to experience workplace violence as other workers, according to government data. Begun in June 2023, Safe to Care is a comprehensive program designed to address the rising rates of workplace violence that are nationally plaguing healthcare systems and hospitals, including Evangelical Community Hospital.

"Our goal continues to be for all employees, patients, volunteers, and guests to feel safe in our Hospital," said Matthew Exley, Director of Employee and Public Safety, Evangelical Community Hospital.

"We want to employ all resources we have available to us to ensure that when people enter our doors, they can deliver and receive care without fear of violence or attack."

During the first phase of the Safe to Care program, the Hospital rebranded its security department to Employee and Public Safety to more accurately reflect the role these team members play in protecting staff, volunteers, patients, and visitors. Steps were also taken through the program to train Public Safety personnel and employees in awareness, vigilance, avoidance, defense, and escape (AVADE) techniques and skills as well as expand policies and communication around safety and prevention of violence.
Thanks to the Smith Fund, the initiative will continue its drive forward in 2024-2025 with additional training, the purchase and installation of equipment for monitoring, reporting, and communications, outreach to strengthen relationships between community partners, and more.

"As a healthcare organization and a community hospital, Evangelical is built around the people we serve," said Donna Schuck, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy and Donor Relations. "These grant dollars are vital for us to continue forward in our mission of providing accessible healthcare in the safest environment for those living in our service areas."

Grants from the Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund are available yearly to four designated organizations that serve Upper Northumberland County: Evangelical Community Hospital, Geisinger Health Foundation for home health care programs, the Montgomery House Library, and the Turbotville Community Hall Corporation. In addition, the fund is available to any nonprofit serving the Warrior Run School District.

Individuals in the community can also support the Charity Care/Financial Assistance Fund, contact the Evangelical's Philanthropy and Donor Relations Department at 570-522-2685 or visit www.EvanHospital.com/Support for more information or to make a donation.