Last year, the John C. Fremont Healthcare District requested a $25,000 modern Hamilton T-1 ventilator from the JCF Hospital Foundation to replace old, outdated equipment in order to provide the best possible care to our community, and, through the Foundation’s fundraising campaign, the community delivered.
The JCF Hospital Foundation conducted an extensive, successful fundraising campaign last fall, resulting in the presentation of a check to the Healthcare District in December. The Healthcare District received the life-saving equipment and put it into service on March 21, 2026.
“We appreciate this extraordinary, quick turn-around,” said Healthcare District CEO Stacey Kuzak. “We are grateful for the support of the Hospital Foundation and the community of Mariposa. Collaboration and partnership are key to our success as a District, and this is a great example.”
“This will save lives,” said Savannah Dent, a respiratory therapist for the Healthcare District. “For many years, the top complaints patients have when visiting the Emergency Department involve respiratory health. A state-of-the-art ventilator is a crucial piece of equipment.”
“The hospital had an old, very outdated Zoll ventilator,” said Anna Duaro, a respiratory therapist at the Healthcare District. “It is like a brick cellphone from the 1980s that had an antenna to pull up to use. The Hamilton T-1 ventilator is like a smartphone. It is intuitive and has many more capabilities than what the hospital had. This new ventilator will help us provide the best possible care to our community.”
The cost of the ventilator was $25,000. Purchasing this was only made possible by the generosity of many people.
“With sincere appreciation, the Foundation would like to recognize the individuals, families, businesses, and community supporters whose gifts helped fund this piece of vital equipment,” said Foundation Executive Administrator Miranda Wass, who was responsible for leading the campaign. “Major supporters include Glenn and Kathy Sutherland and Rick Roeche. Large donors included Mariposa Chamber of Commerce, Steve and Rosemarie Smallcombe, and Cathi Boze. The balance was filled by many community members who gave smaller gifts. With everyone pulling together, we created a powerful impact for patient care.”
The JCF Hospital Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the rural communities of the John C. Fremont Healthcare District to maximize health through partnership and philanthropy.
“The Foundation continues to work closely with the District to identify needed equipment for quality patient care and staff support,” continued Wass, “The Healthcare District has a long wishlist we continue to work on. Our latest goal is to raise funds for five new IV pumps at a cost of $2,760 each.”
Intravenous (IV) pumps are medical devices that precisely deliver fluids such as nutrients, medications, or blood, directly into a patient’s bloodstream at controlled rates. They are used frequently in the Emergency Department, and for in-patient care. The new IV pumps will come with safety software that helps staff better control the dosing and delivery of medicine, all of which helps provide even higher quality care.
If you would like to financially support the Foundation’s efforts to meet the Healthcare District’s equipment needs, you can do so by sending a check to JCFHF, PO Box 1093, Mariposa, CA 95338, or through the online fundraising site at secure.qgiv.com/for/jcfhospitalfoundation. Donations are tax-deductible.
To stay up to date with the Foundation’s latest news, follow @jcfhospitalfoundation on Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up for the Foundation’s quarterly newsletter: https://forms.gle/hzSQn5RnHzneDJC66
For more information or questions, contact the Foundation at (209) 966-1166, admin@jcfhosptialfoundation.org, or visit the website jcfhospitalfoundation.org.
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