Health Care Foundation awards more than $50,000

The Health Care Foundation has announced the recipients of its Comfort in Care grants, which award more than $50,000 annually in funding to frontline employees of Eastern Health.

The recipients were recognized at a ceremony this week at Pleasant View Towers in St. John’s.

“The Comfort in Care program is about creating care experiences for patients and families visiting our facilities that emphasize both quality and comfort,” foundation board chairwoman Debbie Patten stated in a news release.

“What we love about this program is that it allows the foundation to partner directly with frontline health care professionals to identify and fund items that will enhance a patient’s comfort, care and wellbeing. The response to these grants has been overwhelmingly positive, and we thank everyone who took the time to apply.”

Items funded through the program may include sleeper chairs, blanket warmers, wheelchairs, walkers, ecological items, comforters, recreational activities and other items. Forty-six grants were awarded to health care professionals for the purchase of patient comfort items this year.

Funding for the 2018 Comfort in Care grants has been provided by Johnson Insurance and the Gary Rowe Memorial Comfort in Care Fund. Donations are also received from individual donors who give to the Health Care Foundation’s Comfort In Care program.