When we heard Hospital Week was coming up, we couldn't help but take this opportunity to shine a light on our local hospital--Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center (RMC.) But first...what in the world is Hospital Week? We are so glad you asked!

According to the Alabama Hospital Association, The goal of this year’s Alabama Hospital Week celebration is to highlight the importance of hospitals to their communities, including the healthcare they provide, the extra things they do to support their communities and their huge economic impact.[1]

It's the extra things for us. The RMC Foundation is all about the extras. Yet, somehow, those "extras" make a huge impact in our environment both medically and in our East Alabama culture. They have become part of the backbone of our community.

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Here are some ways the RMC Foundation has poured into the community while raising funds for citizens of East Central Alabama:

The Garden Jubilee

This event is held each Spring and proceeds from the event are earmarked to fund the Martha Vandervoort Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was created to honor the life and legacy of longtime Anniston resident and philanthropist, Martha Vandervoort. The Martha Vandervoort Garden Jubilee is held each year and awards an annually renewable $6,000 scholarship to a graduating senior from Calhoun County. The Foundation has been able to reward nine worthy Scholars and invest in future leaders of our community.

Golf Classic

The RMC Foundation holds its golf classic each Fall. In 2022, they hosted the 26^th Anniversary Golf Classic, boasting 62 teams that partnered with with the Foundation for a day of fun and philanthropy.  The support raised by the Foundation enabled them to surpass their goal, bringing in over $151,000 to benefit the Cardiac department at RMC. While it may not seem like a day on the golf course can help anyone spending a day (or longer) in a hospital--it certainly can. And does. Those funds become important the moment you or a loved one experience a cardiac event, and we are proud of the RMC Foundation for their efforts in this tournament each year!

Brake for Breakfast

In October, RMC makes sure that mammograms and education are easily available to any community member. One of our favorite opportunites the Foundation presented was "Brake for Breakfast." This simple, fun (and delicious) opportunity allowed residents of our area to simply stop by the RMC Oxford Mediplex or The Tyler Center on their way to work for free breakfast, coffee and education on detecting breast cancer early.

Early detection isn't just important for breast cancer, and the RMC Health System and Foundation know that, too. Every year, those two organizations partner to bring wellness screenings to Calhoun County through our Early Detection Connection events. Here are some of the screenings we currently offer as well as their scheduled dates throughout the year: In February, heart screenings are made available for just $50; in March, free colorectal "fit kits" are given to every participant; and in September, free PSA blood tests will be given to anyone who is interested, in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

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There are plenty of reasons we celebrate Hospital Week. These are just a few. If you think the programs are good, you should know that truly, there's not enough space on the internet to talk about the wonderful people behind all the programs, events and departments at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center. The programs, opportunites and fundraisers are wonderful, to be sure, but without the people behind them, they would be nothing.

So, here's to you--our friends at RMC. As Hospital Week approaches, we celebrate you and are thankful for all you do!

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[1] https://www.alaha.org/hospital-week-2023/#:~:text=H%20%E2%80%93%20Heartbeat%20of%20Alabama%20%E2%80%93%20The,and%20their%20huge%20economic%20impact.