In 2016, Salem Health Medical Group began a tradition of collecting and donating new, unwrapped toys to children through Salem Police Department’s annual toy drive. The last two years, Salem Hospital partnered with SHMG to collect donations. This year’s drive brought in 3,300 toys. The toys were shared across three local institutions: Salem Police Department, Polk County Sheriffs and Salem Fire Department.
“This year, people in our community need a lift more than ever,” said SMHG Associate Chief Medical Officer Michelle Rasmussen, MD. “It is a privilege to have an opportunity to bring some joy to people’s homes at the end of a difficult and trying year.”
Many of the donations this year came from SHMG providers — a group that numbers over 500 employees, in total. In March 2020, SHMG transformed three primary care clinics to serve as “respiratory clinics” — sites that have since focused on testing and caring for patients with COVID like symptoms. SHMG providers have cared for over 2,000 COVID patients during this time.
“Our community has been through so much, but the providers in our clinics deserve a special nod of gratitude,” said SHMG Vice President Katie Dobler. “After all they have already done, giving back to the community with these year-end gifts is a remarkable display of generosity.”
In partnership with Salem Hospital, Salem Health Medical Group gathered donations over the past month. On Dec. 8, the toys and were handed over to Salem Police Department, Polk County Sheriffs and Salem Fire Department who will wrap and deliver to local families before Christmas.
About Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.
Media contact: Salem Health 24-hour media relations line — 971-718-3157
