Fremont County, Wyo. (August 11, 2021) – SageWest Health Care published its community benefit report for the 2020 calendar year. The annual report showcases the broad scope of the hospital’s contributions to Fremont County and illustrates the many ways the organization contributes to the physical and economic health of the communities it serves – an investment that became even more essential in a historic year.
“Our mission of Making Communities Healthier has always been central to the integral role we play in Fremont County,” says John Ferrelli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SageWest Health Care. “But as the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact our region, our mission became even more critical. As part of LifePoint Health – a national healthcare network that provided quality care for more than 20,000 COVID-19 patients in 2020, including those in our own communities – SageWest Health Care was able to continue our legacy of quality care and community leadership, protect and enhance the health of our neighbors and continue creating places where people – like you – choose to come for care. We achieved this despite the challenges of the past year thanks to the hard work and commitment of our wonderful team of providers, employees and volunteers, and the support of those we serve.”
SageWest Health Care’s 2020 community benefit report showcases its continued focus on meeting the region’s evolving healthcare needs through welcoming new providers, adding service lines and continually investing in its facilities and care technology. In 2020 alone, SageWest Health Care added 18 providers in dentistry, family medicine, midwifery, pediatrics, neurosurgery, general surgery, anesthesia, hospital medicine and internal medicine; and made more than $3.6 million in capital improvements, including a nurse call system upgrade, germ-zapping robots to enhance cleaning, specialty beds for bariatric patients, ventilators, vital sign machines and more.
Additionally, a donation of more than $23 million in health services to those in need demonstrates the hospital’s ongoing commitment to ensuring access to care for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
SageWest Health Care is also dedicated to creating places where physicians want to practice and employees want to work. In 2020, the hospital distributed more than $29 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its more than 300 employees.
This year’s annual report also highlights how SageWest Health Care’s role as a leader in the communities it serves extends far beyond the physical walls of its facilities in tangible and meaningful ways. Last year, the organization paid more than $2.2 million in local and state taxes, demonstrating its dedication to fiscal responsibility, being a good community partner and supporting the economic health of Fremont County. Additionally, the hospital is proud to be able to continue to support local activities and organizations in myriad ways, including Abba’s House, Boys and Girls Club, Community Entry Services/Festival of Trees, Donor Alliance, Eagle’s Hope Transitions, Fremont County Employment Expo, Help For Health, Lander Kiwanis, Lander Police Department- National Child Safety, Lander Project Graduation, Lander Rotary, Race Against Kids’ Cancer, Raising Readers, Rocky Mountain Elk Banquet, United Way of Southwest Wyoming and Volunteers of America/Center for Hope.
“We are grateful to call Fremont County home and are proud to contribute to its economic and physical well-being in all the ways that we do,” said Ferrelli. “We are also incredibly thankful for and encouraged by the support our communities have shown us over the course of this historic year. As we look to the future, we are inspired to further enhance how we serve our neighbors today and in the bright days and years ahead.”
SageWest Health Care’s complete 2020 community benefit report is available here.
