Donate to Providence Medical Center

Fundraising began in late 2019 for a new ambulance for Providence Medical Center. Providence Medical Center Foundation committed to contributing $20,000 to help reach the goal. 

A check presentation was held on 8/20/20 with many PMC Foundation board members present to show their support of the hospital.  

Pictured L-R

Ron Wriedt (EMT), Kent Pulfer, Matt Ley, Jim Frank (PMC - CEO), Melissa Nelsen (PMC Foundation Director), Craig Walling, Bill Claybaugh, Rod Hunke, June Erwin, Luke Virgil, Marcile Thomas, Alan Harms, Lisa Clausen (PMC Director EMS), Mark Tietz (EMT)

Not pictured:

Galen Wiser

Janene (Ginger) Nelson

Providence Medical Center’s ambulance service is certified for both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS).  The ALS certification requires a crew with a level of training/education that facilitates care of cardiac patients as well as those requiring special support such as medication administration, intravenous (IV) line initiation, and a variety of additional advanced support modalities.  According to a 2010 study conducted by Nebraska Center for Rural Health Research, only 18% of Nebraska ambulance services are ALS certified, making this a very important aspect of the emergency care provided to the population served by PMC where most of the area Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response teams are certified as BLS only. 

New technology available on today’s ambulance vehicles is another important factor in the decision to upgrade currently.  The new model intended for purchase is a 2020 Ford with four-wheel drive and a Braun ambulance box. Acquiring this ambulance would provide a liquid-ride suspension system not currently present on the other vehicles in the fleet.  This type of suspension provides a much smoother and comfortable ride for the patient and mitigates the risk of potential jolts caused by road conditions.  This stability is important when delivering patient medical care that often requires a ‘steady hand.’  Additionally, the new rig would have a specialized child restraint seat that would facilitate emergent pediatric patient transport.  The new vehicle will also have a power load system to aid in loading and unloading patients. To reference the study previously quoted, only 40% of ambulance services in Nebraska currently has this capability. 

Providence Medical Center operates one of only 6% of hospital-based ambulance services in the state of Nebraska.   Owning and operating the ambulance service out of the hospital enables control of the selection and management of the personnel to ensure availability, appropriate training and competency. 

These vehicles are well maintained and outwardly appear to be new, but extensive service has been conducted on the 1996 model, and concern for its reliability has relegated it mainly to non-emergent patient transfers. 

The 2014 ambulance has the most up to date technology but all three do meet all the required regulations so can be called to an event when there are multiple emergency needs. Our 2006 model is used primarily as our emergency response ambulance and is called to approximately 35 calls a month.

The 1996 and 2014 models are used for transfers of patients to care centers or other hospitals. Sometimes those transfers can take 5-6 hours if being taken to Omaha or Lincoln, Ne.

We provide standby at all athletic games, the Wayne County Fair and other community events where there is a need.

With the purchase of a new ambulance, we will retire our oldest (1996) ambulance.

For more information about our ambulance fundraiser or other ways to support Providence Medical Center, please contact Melissa Nelsen.

Support the hospital's mission with a one time donation or legacy gift:

• Cash gifts
• Endowment funds
• Charitable gift annuity
• Charitable remainder trust
• Charitable lead trust
• Life insurance
• Wills and bequests
• Memorials