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Warrensburg, MO – The Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) Foundation has successfully completed its ambitious $1 million capital campaign. This accomplishment will allow WMMC to house the only PET/CT scanner in the region, significantly enhancing the level of care for cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular patients.
This achievement was announced at the 2024 Summer Soirée fundraising event on Aug. 29. Several pivotal donations helped bring the campaign to a successful conclusion. A local family, wishing to remain anonymous, pledged $50,000 on the condition that a matching donor could be found. Rich and Debbie Lawson of Warrensburg responded to this call by contributing an additional $100,000. Furthermore, Andy Gelbach & Karen Gonzalez, and the late Elvin & Mary Malone also generously donated $50,000 each.
“This campaign was the most extensive and challenging undertaking in our Foundation’s history, but we knew our community would recognize the vital importance of this technology and support bringing it to our hospital,” said Jennie Snapp, Director of the WMMC Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to our donors, volunteers, and staff for their dedication and generosity in making this achievement a reality.”
The project, known as “Raising the Bar: Elevating Care to New Heights,” was launched in May 2023 and is the largest initiative undertaken by the WMMC Foundation to date. Originally established as the Friends of WMMC, the Foundation began accepting funds in 2016, with its first major donation received in 2017. The Foundation board and committee members remained confident that the community would rally behind the need for this advanced technology, and the overwhelming support has validated their belief.
“The successful completion of this capital campaign is a testament to the power of our community’s generosity and commitment to advancing healthcare in our region,” said Tara Carlyle, WMMC Foundation Executive Director. “With the funds raised, we are not only bringing this essential technology to Western Missouri Medical Center but also ensuring that patients can receive top-quality care without leaving their community.”
The addition of the stationary PET/CT scanner will bring crucial imaging services for cancer detection and other life-saving diagnostics to the local community. Currently, no hospital in the region has an on-site PET scanner; most facilities rent a scanner housed in a trailer for one day a week. The purchase of this new equipment will alleviate the financial burden of renting the machine while providing these essential services more frequently.
“The addition of a stationary PET/CT scanner is a significant advancement for our hospital and the community we serve,” said Darinda Dick, WMMC President/CEO. “This technology will allow us to provide timely, advanced care, directly impacting patient outcomes. Our priority is to meet the specific healthcare needs of our community, and this new capability ensures patients no longer have to travel or wait for critical diagnostic services.”
The new PET/CT scanner will be located on the first floor of the Medical Office Building at WMMC, which is currently vacant. Construction on the space is set to begin later this year, with completion anticipated by mid-2025.
“We are beyond grateful to our community for the incredible support in bringing a stationary PET/CT scanner to Western Missouri Medical Center,” said Jan Glover, WMMC Foundation Board President. “In just 15 months, our community helped us raise $1 million, ensuring our patients no longer have to rely on the once-a-week mobile PET scanner. This in-house scanner will provide 24/7 access, allowing us to perform multiple procedures currently unavailable in our region. This milestone will significantly enhance medical care for everyone in Johnson County, providing vital diagnostic services closer to home.”
To learn more about the WMMC Foundation, visit WMMC.com/Foundation or contact Jennie Snapp, Foundation Director, at (660) 262-7464.
About the Western Missouri Medical Center Foundation
The Western Missouri Medical Center Foundation is dedicated to fostering community awareness and promoting a culture of philanthropy to support WMMC’s mission of providing high-quality healthcare services that enhance the wellness of our community. Our commitment to putting patients first is not just a motto—it’s reflected in everything we do. By ensuring access to modern facilities and advanced technology right here in our region, we make it possible for our community members to receive top-notch care close to home.
Gifts to the WMMC Foundation touch every area of our medical center. They help attract talented physicians, fund facility expansions, and ensure that we can provide the latest equipment and technology. Whether directed toward a specific need or entrusted to the Foundation’s Board to apply where it’s most needed, every contribution plays a vital role in enhancing the well-being of our community. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation continues its mission, directly impacting the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.
About Western Missouri Medical Center
Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is a fully accredited acute care county medical center located in Warrensburg, MO. WMMC prides itself in emergency care, obstetrics, orthopedic and general surgery, family healthcare, internal medicine, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care, rehabilitation services and more. Inpatient services include medical, surgical, intensive, obstetrical, orthopedic, pediatric and skilled nursing care, as well as a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic outpatient services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.