Avera Marshall Auxiliary Funds DXA Scan Equipment
The Avera Marshall Auxiliary donated funds to purchase medical equipment for Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center. The Auxiliary’s donation of $42,900 was used to purchase DXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) equipment in the hospital Imaging Center.
A DXA machine uses a special, low-dose x-ray to measure bone density. This tells a health care provider a patient’s bone health and risk of fracture. It is often used in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, a disease that thins and weakens bones. Bone loss can be debilitating and painful, but early intervention and treatments are available. DXA technology and the advancement of new treatments can greatly improve quality of life for those with bone loss. A DEXA scan is typically covered by insurance, especially if the patient has clear risk factors. Tests are read by a radiologist with the results being sent to the patient’s physician.
The Avera Marshall Auxiliary is a membership organization that supports the mission of Avera Marshall through volunteerism and fundraising. Money raised by the Auxiliary is used to enhance health care services at Avera Marshall. With over 300 members, the Auxiliary operates the Thrift Store and Gift Shop and contributes many volunteer hours through the junior volunteer program, long-term care activities, office and clerical projects and more. In addition to this donation, in 2011 the Auxiliary has given $66,000 for the purchase of a hysteroscope, a hand-carried ultrasound machine and additional funds to complete a remodeling of the obstetrics wing in the hospital. Anyone interested in volunteering at Avera Marshall can contact Vickie Abel, Volunteer Services Coordinator at 537-9087.
Pictured are members of the Avera Marshall Auxiliary board along with staff from the Avera Marshall Imaging Center. Front: Kathy Sussner, Aileen Rowe, Doris Young, Shirley Martin, Sharon McCully, Carolyn VanKeulen. Middle Row: Bob Mann, Colleen Frye, Marlene Nordby, Doug Anderson, Bob VanLeeuwe. Back: Steph Kauten, Laura Fields, Kayla Aus, Lynn Bunting, Jo Edwards.
