HOULTON, Maine — Thanks to the efforts of the Houlton Regional Hospital Auxiliary, identifying potential problems in a patient’s blood-work is now easier.
Houlton Regional Hospital’s Auxiliary recently donated $10,000 to the Health Services Foundation to be used to fund a new microscope for the hematology laboratory. This purchase also includes software, which will be used as a teaching tool for students.
As part of the Health Services Foundation current fund-raising campaign an approach was made to the Auxiliary for general funding to help bring new equipment to Houlton Regional. After hearing about all the needs that were pressing for the hospital, Auxiliary members made a decision to support the new microscope for the laboratory.
“It’s the little things that count and when it comes to looking at what makes us tick from looking at lab results from a blood draw, those little things add up into the hundreds,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Health Services Foundation executive director. “We walk around every day in the wonderful machine called the human body and so few of us know what all the million tiny little things that are going on inside do to keep us healthy. However, sometimes things go awry and it takes a pretty powerful piece of equipment to look at what all those little things may be up to that might be causing a problem.”
Kathy Russell, hematology and coagulation supervisor said the new microscope replaces a 20-year-old piece of equipment with parts that were difficult to obtain.
“The image was also not nearly as clear,” Russell said. “The new equipment is far superior in terms of clarity and can be upgraded to have a camera hooked up to it so we can put the images on a computer.”
By uploading the images to a computer, the hospital will also be able to transmit those images to specialists in other parts of the state or the world.
The microscopes are used for examining white and red blood cells to look for abnormal cells, which could indicate a more serious health condition, she said.
“The Auxiliary’s contributions to the Foundation over many years have been truly significant,” Dulin said. “Given the rural nature of the communities we serve, this small group of dedicated individuals continues to help and change, always for the best, this wonderful place we choose to live called northern Maine. Members strive all year to bring in revenue from the Gift Shop, located in the lobby at Houlton Regional, by providing and managing a shop full of wonderful items that may be purchased by visitors to the hospital and employees. Dedicated volunteers manage the day-to-day operation of the shop and when it comes time to choose where the money they have worked so hard to bring in should go the Foundation has become the choice for channeling those funds for hospital needs.
“Aside from the shop, other fundraisers such as the May Fudge Sale and the Christmas Tree of Love help add to the auxiliary’s yearly income. We owe a great deal of thanks to these individuals for all the years of support they have extended to the Foundation and for always recognizing that we are working together for the greater good of our communities,” she said.
The new microscope is part of a multi-equipment campaign the Foundation is conducting to replace aging equipment or upgrading current pieces due to the rapid changes in technology. Foundation efforts will cover nine items over several different departments.
“As the Foundation continues to receive funding for this effort, we will let our communities know how these pieces will help continue the high standard of quality health care services that Houlton Regional Hospital is so committed to,” Dulin added.
For more about the Health Services Foundation, current projects and programs, or to make a donation can call 207-521-2147 or visit www.healthservicesfoundation.org.
