Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has Broad Impact on the Valley and Surrounding Communities
3/30/2022
PALMER, AK – Over the course of a year, the impact of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center adds up as the skilled, compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members deliver safe, quality care around the clock every day. Beyond clinical care, the hospital is a major employer and regularly invests resources to expand and enhance services available locally. The overall community benefit totaled more than $120 million in 2021.
The hospital and its affiliated medical clinics delivered care through more than 144,000 patient visits last year, as the pandemic heightened the need for medical care. Since March 2020, Mat-Su Regional has cared for more than 950 COVID inpatients. At the peak of the Delta variant surge in 2021, Mat-Su Regional cared for 429 COVID inpatients during a three-month period from September through November.
To meet the needs of COVID inpatients, the hospital expanded its ICU capacity by temporarily converting a wing on the new third floor to an additional ICU. Through this innovative approach, Mat-Su Regional was able to receive and care for patients from across Alaska who were transferred from facilities that no longer had capacity to care for patients.
“Our team provided quality care for patients with COVID and also for other members of our community who had a broad range of medical needs,” said Dave Wallace, chief executive officer of Mat-Su Regional. “We’re fortunate to have such a committed, resilient team serving our community. I’m extraordinarily proud of how we’ve responded to the crises presented by this pandemic.”
Employees and medical staff brought their skills and compassion to support more than 31,000 emergency department visits, more than 5,400 inpatients and perform more than 7,900 surgeries. The hospital’s affiliated medical clinics and outpatient services also provided care for more than 99,000 patients, and the Family Birthing Center helped welcome into the world more than 680 babies.
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center continues to grow, investing resources to expand medical services and integrate technologies that benefit patients. This includes the expansion of the hospital’s heart care program and the addition of two interventional cardiologists to the cardiac care team, as well as launching Mat-Su Medical Group – a new primary care and internal medicine clinic.
The hospital also gives back to the Mat-Su Valley, providing more than $8.1 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. The $1.5 million paid in property, sales and GRT taxes helps support critical infrastructure such as first responders, schools and roads.
Mat-Su Regional is the third largest employer in the Borough. With an annual payroll of more than $97.4 million, the hospital helps drive the Mat-Su economy as employees purchase local goods and services. The hospital also made capital improvements totaling more than $4.2 million.
“The COVID pandemic has revealed how interconnected we all are and has underscored the importance of having a strong community hospital,” Wallace said. “A hospital provides benefits that extend beyond clinical care. The value Mat-Su Regional brings to the community as a large employer, supporter of local organizations, and contributor to economic growth helps make the Valley a healthier, better community for all.”
To help the community live healthier, Mat-Su Regional last year launched a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://www.matsuregional.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
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