Banner Washakie Medical Center, Cody Regional Health and Hot Springs Health in Thermopolis were among hospitals that received a grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for state-of-the-art ultrasound devices.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $1,869,863 to the Banner Health Foundation to support acquisition of 29 pieces of ultrasound equipment, ranging from bladder scanners to handheld ultrasound devices, for use across six Banner Health medical centers and clinics in Wyoming. The funding is part of a total $13.9 million in grant awards from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to help Wyoming hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and boost sonography and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training opportunities across the state.

 Washakie Medical Center received $321,069 out of the total $1.8 million grant and these funds were used to acquire five pieces of ultrasound equipment for the Worland hospital. This included two POCUS, one for the main floor and one for anesthesiology. Certified registered nurse anesthetist Chris Paris said the one for anesthesiology is primarily used to help pinpoint nerve block placement. He said the new equipment is an upgrade from the current equipment. They have been using the new POCUS for about two weeks.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. This safe, cost-effective tool supports other clinical information to help providers make timely diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment.

"The new ultrasound equipment generously funded by the Helmsley grant has already significantly enhanced outpatient care services," says Margo Karsten, western division president for Banner Health. "The state-of-the art technology allows for sharper imaging, facilitating more accurate diagnoses and enabling timely, personalized treatment at the bedside. We are profoundly grateful to the Helmsley Charitable Trust for this generous support."

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $346,794.00 to Hot Springs Health to purchase one Philips Epiq Diagnostic Ultrasound System, and eight Philips Lumify Point-of-Care ultrasound units (POCUS) as part of a statewide ultrasound initiative across Wyoming.

The initiative includes nearly $13.9 million to help Wyoming hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and boost sonography and POCUS training opportunities across the state. The grants were announced Thursday, March 22, during a statewide news conference.

"We've been using POCUS units for many years as physicians, and we appreciate the support of the Helmsley Charitable Trust which helps us continue to provide state-of-the-art care for our patients," Dr. Mattson Mathey of Hot Springs Health commented.

The Philips Epiq Diagnostic Ultrasound System purchased by Hot Springs Health will be housed in the Diagnostic Imaging Department at the hospital in Thermopolis. The new ultrasound unit will provide improved digital ultrasound images utilizing the most recent technology available to patients, according to a press release. Hot Springs Health purchased the eight POCUS units for use in the clinics located in Thermopolis, Worland, Riverton and Shoshoni, as well as the hospital's emergency department.

"The purchase of the new ultrasound machine and the POCUS units for our physicians allows Hot Springs Health to continue its mission to our communities by providing the highest quality of care," said Chuck Chrisien, Director of Diagnostic Imaging.

Cody Regional Health announced the receipt of a $466,486 from the Helmsley Charitable Trust.

This grant will facilitate the acquisition of four cutting-edge ultrasound units, two handheld ultrasound devices, along with probes and comprehensive training, as part of a groundbreaking statewide ultrasound initiative in Wyoming.

"This generous grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust marks a significant milestone for Cody Regional Health and the entire community," said Doug McMillan, CEO at Cody Regional Health. "Ultrasound technology plays a crucial role in modern healthcare, enabling our providers to deliver accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments. With these state-of-the-art ultrasound units, we will enhance patient care across various clinics, including the Basin Clinic, Walk-In Clinic, OBGYN Clinic, Cardiology Clinic, Surgical Services, and Orthopedics. Patients throughout the Big Horn Basin area will benefit from access to advanced ultrasound services, transforming the way we deliver healthcare."

Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said the grants will help improve access to quality medical treatment for all Wyoming residents, whether they live in the heart of Cheyenne or Casper or in a smaller rural community.

"Our hospitals and health centers need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide top-notch healthcare close to home," Panzirer said. "These grants help ensure that facilities across Wyoming have the latest and greatest ultrasound equipment and training."

About two-thirds (97) of the 143 devices purchased through the $12.3 million in equipment grants are POCUS machines, which are used by providers at the bed or tableside for immediate assessment of a patient to quickly determine a course of action. The grants will also provide 26 general ultrasound systems and 20 cardiovascular ultrasound systems, which aid in imaging of the heart.

The initiative also includes nearly $1.6 million for the University of Wyoming's Wyoming Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Initiative, which aims to enhance patient care across the state by both broadening the scope of training in specialty ultrasound and bolstering access to quality POCUS services.

The Helmsley Charitable Trust's Rural Healthcare Program focuses on supporting innovative projects that leverage technology to connect rural patients with essential medical services, deliver cutting-edge therapies to remote areas, and provide comprehensive training for rural healthcare professionals. To date, this program has allocated over $650 million to initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in rural communities.