Fitzgibbon Hospital makes economic investment into the community

December 14, 2022

For most people, buying health insurance ensures their access to healthcare. But one of the most important roles Fitzgibbon Hospital plays, along with other Missouri hospitals, is serving as a safety net for anyone who needs medical care – even those who can’t afford their care.

According to the most recently released audited financial figures, Fitzgibbon Hospital provided more than $39 million in community benefit and economic investment, including employment and payroll for 422 people, underscoring the important role hospitals pay as economic engines for their communities.

In its annual Community Investment Report for fiscal year 2022, Fitzgibbon notes that almost $3.7 million in uncompensated care and Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls was provided in fiscal year 2022. This amount includes forgiveness of nearly half a million dollars in “Charity Care” provided to the neediest in the community.

“Part of our role at Fitzgibbon Hospital, our many clinics and at The Living Center is to meet the healthcare needs of our community,” said Angy Littrell, President and CEO of Fitzgibbon Hospital. “We have always put the patient first in all of our decisions, and that means delivering care with respect and compassion for all. I’ve always believe that if you put the patient first, your decisions become easier and you will exceed your patients’ expectations.”

As an added service to the community, Fitzgibbon employs trained financial counselors to work with patients to determine if they qualify for financial assistance.

A not-for-profit entity itself, the Fitzgibbon organization sees a large facet of its community investment in giving back to other organizations in the community, many of whom share the desire to improve the health and quality of life for all. The report highlights the following:

·         Investing $391,849 for health professionals’ education and research activities; and

·         Contributing cash and in-kind donations totaling $378,678 to support other community organizations, healthy lifestyle programs, patient advocacy and community event sponsorships.

This category of investment includes the cost of placing a Certified Athletic Trainer within the Marshall Public School District as part of a collaborative effort to help ensure the safety of our student athletes. The hospital also provides free athlete physicals in area schools to ensure that any student who wishes to play a sport and engage in healthy activities is not prohibited by the cost of the required athlete physical.  Additionally, support of the Missouri Valley College Nursing Program, which is located on the campus of Fitzgibbon Hospital, is included in this figure.

 Among the many and varied organizations Fitzgibbon Hospital supports through financial donations are the Salt Fork YMCA, the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra, the OATS Transportation Service, the Marshall High School DECA program, the United Way, the Missouri Valley College Rodeo program, the Saline County Fair Association, the Marshall Booster Club, area Lion’s and Rotary clubs and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. These and dozens of other schools and organizations have benefited directly from Fitzgibbon Hospital's commitment to improve the health, quality of life and education for Saline and surrounding counties.

To ensure the hospital, the rural health clinics it operates and The Living Center long-term care facility keep abreast of advancing medical technologies, it made $1.23 million in capital investments during the 2022 fiscal year.

“It is our goal to continually improve the services we offer and the facilities occupied by our hospital and clinics to ensure our patients receive care in a safe and pleasant environment,” said Littrell.

During the period from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022, the hospital treated 13,744 people in its Emergency Department, brought 267 new lives into the world, provided care during 1,995 inpatient stays and provided 97,882 visits to patients in an outpatient setting.

For the complete Fitzgibbon Hospital 2022 Community Investment Report, visit https://www.fitzgibbon.org/about-us/community-investment. For additional information about this release, contact Amy Weber, Business Development Manager, at 660-831-3204.