Thanks to a generous donation from the Shelton Hospital Association, Mason Health patients are now able to breathe a bit easier.

Every year, the Shelton Hospital Association makes an annual donation to Mason Health, for the benefit of the patients of Mason General Hospital. This year, the association donated $62,500 toward the purchase of new Bellavista ventilators to replace two aging ventilators. Over the past five years, the association has donated more than $330,000 in hospital equipment.

The funds are generated through investments made by the late Arthur Govey, one of Shelton’s most prominent citizens in the early 1900s.

“This donation illustrates that what Mr. Govey and his family did was send a gift into the future,” said Shelton Hospital Association President Brett Bishop. “This donation resonates with me as a retired commercial diver for Seattle Shellfish. I know what it feels like to run out of air, and I am more than humbled that we get to be a part of providing a life-saving device.”

The new ventilators have the dual capability for non-invasive and invasive ventilation, crucial for patient care, said Kristy Christopher, RRT, Mason Health’s Director of Respiratory Therapy.

“We currently have four Bellavista 1000 ventilators that continue to streamline our equipment in high quality patient care,” Christopher said.

The new ventilators offer positive pressure ventilation support for patients ranging from neonates, pediatrics, and adults. With a large color touchscreen, the ventilator is the latest technology in lung protection for patients during ventilation.

“Mason Health is grateful for this donation from the Shelton Hospital Association,” said Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps. “A hospital uses ventilators year-round. These will help preserve life and keep people as well and as healthy as they can be.”

Previous Shelton Hospital Association donations have helped Mason Health to purchase two new ultrasound machines in Diagnostic Imaging, a workstation for Anesthesia and tools for Surgery.

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Environmental Excellence Awards. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masongeneral.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.