Cooley Dickinson Hospital Announces $850,000 Challenge to Support Emergency Care

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital is harnessing the power of an $850,000 challenge to help complete “Transforming Emergency Care: The Campaign for the Cooley Dickinson Emergency Department.”

The formal announcement of the challenge was made at a recent gathering hosted by Curran and Keegan Financial. Challenge donors include local companies Diversified LLC, All States Materials Group, and individual contributors who hope this challenge inspires others to give.

“Some of our closest friends have come forward to help us maximize our fundraising efforts before the campaign comes to a close,” said Diane Dukette, chief Development officer. “Together, they have generously committed to matching every dollar that comes in, up to $850,000.”

The campaign supports the $26 million expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department, ensuring that Cooley Dickinson continues to meet the ever-evolving emergency medicine needs of all members of the community. With patient visits to the department doubling from 17,000 in the 1970s to nearly 34,000 in recent years, the project will increase the Emergency Department space by 40% and support 32 patient rooms, expanded behavioral health spaces, and a state-of-the-art suite for CT scanning and imaging.

“When completed, this project will enhance the patient experience by reducing wait times and ensuring that we have the best, and newest, equipment to provide care,” said Sarah Burgess, nurse director in the Emergency Department. “The renovation also reconfigures our space so that we can better and more efficiently coordinate care.

“Our teams — from facilities, nursing, leadership, physicians, support services, and so many more — have all worked together to help move this renovation forward with as little impact to patient experience as possible,” Burgess added. “The newly expanded section of the ED is open and in use as we work to complete renovations in the former space. When the project is finished — combined with our amazing care teams — I am confident that we will have the best ED in the Valley.”

Added Dukette, “with just over $12.7 million raised to date, and less than four months left in the campaign to secure the challenge, every gift is critical. From the recent bequest from the estate of Rob Brooks to a gift from a 9-year-old girl from Amherst who donated the proceeds of her lemonade stand to the campaign, there are so many ways that our community has stepped forward with support.”

Individuals and organizations contributing to the campaign can increase the impact of their donations through this community challenge. All gifts and pledges, up to $850,000, by Dec. 21 will receive a one-to-one match.

Contributions may be sent to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Development Office, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329, or made online at cooleydickinson.org/giving.