Going home after a hospital stay can be scary – What does this pain mean? Am I taking my medications properly? Is something wrong? – which is why Altru Health System created the Home Visits program. Home Visits connects nurses, residency doctors, respiratory therapists, and paramedics to recently-discharged patients to make sure the patients continue to improve after hospital care. This crucial service is not covered by insurance – and so, to ensure it can remain totally free to patients, a team of community volunteers came together to raise funds to not just pay for, but grow, Altru’s Home Visits program.
In September, a record-breaking 757 guests came out in support of Altru’s Home Visits at the 14th annual Altru Gala, a formal event with an expansive and unique silent auction, a rousing live auction, and a program focused on the importance of Home Visits. One-hundred percent of the proceeds went to patient needs, and over $387,000 was raised from registration fees, the auctions, and event sponsorships – bringing the total raised from all of the Galas to $2.6 million.
An event of that magnitude did not come without the help of many hands. The Gala was planned by a committee of 18 volunteers made up of community members and Altru Health Foundation employees, and University of North Dakota students and student athletes helped set up and work at the event.
If you missed the Gala and would like to donate to the Home Visits program, contact Randy Schoenborn at Altru Health System at 701.780.5600. The 15th annual Gala will be held on September 28, 2019, and tickets will go on sale on August 1, 2019. To get on the list for next year, call Randy at the aforementioned number.
North Dakota Nice 