Mary Lanning Healthcare Wins $1.5 Million in Rural Health Grants

Mary Lanning Healthcare has received four grants totalling $1.5 million so far from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

Susan Meeske, Chief Development Officer at the MLH Foundation, said the following grants were received:

$460,000: Laptops, dictation system software, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) devices including scales and blood pressure cuffs
$438,000: Behavioral Services Unit paint, flooring and beds
$611,063: Behavioral Services Unit rounding documentation, safety cameras and fire doors; plus transfer switches throughout MLH
$16,000: Pharmacy training

Kim Kern, Behavioral Service Unit Director, said her unit provides inpatient care for a large area of Nebraska.

"We are excited to enhance our services with an updated, safer environment in which we can provide the best care possible," Kern said.

The RHTP is a $50 billion federal opportunity to improve healthcare in rural areas. Nebraska received $218.5 million during the first year of the five-year program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will release multiple Requests for Applications during the next five years so many organizations can apply for funds.

Meeske said the Foundation helped several MLH leaders apply for the grants to fund much-needed improvements.

"Healthcare technologies and supplies are expensive," Meeske said. "Rural areas, such as Hastings, are fortunate to have communities who care about the future of healthcare and keeping care local. These grants help assure that we are providing the best possible care at home, in the heart of rural Nebraska."