La-Z-Boy donates 10,000 face masks to SSRH

4/29/2020

In April 2020, as the COVID-19 virus began emerging in the area, Daren Davison, La-Z-Boy Midwest regional general manager, spoke with Siloam Springs Regional Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Adam Bracks about how La-Z-Boy could help.

During that conversation Davison mentioned that La-Z-Boy had been producing face masks at its Saltillo, Mexico, cut-and-sew facility and asked if the hospital wanted to make a request. From there, they decided on an amount and La-Z-Boy delivered on that need. The company sent over one donation of masks in mid-April. On April 29, Davison stopped by SSRH to deliver 10,000 face masks.

Bracks said Davison is a big supporter of Siloam Springs Regional Hospital where he serves on the Board of Trustees.

“It’s a real noble and selfless act and we are thankful for La-Z-Boy’s generous donation,” Bracks said.

Out of the 10,000 masks the hospital received, 500 will be going to Community Clinic which expressed a need and both Davison and Bracks were happy to help. While some masks will remain at SSRH, others will be distributed to the four other hospitals within the Northwest Health system including Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital, Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville, Northwest Medical Center-Springdale and Willow Creek Women’s Hospital.

“Being a contributing member in the communities we work, live and serve is at the heart of our core values,” Davison said. “This is a unique time for everyone, but for healthcare institutions it’s a massive change. I am proud that our company and team here at La-Z-Boy Siloam Springs could play a small part in the support of our local front-line healthcare workers. We are humbled by their dedication and service. They are true heroes.”

SSRH Chief Nursing Office Maria Wleklinski said the face masks are a very welcome addition to the hospital’s supplies. While it’s still unknown if the virus has peaked in Arkansas, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is prepared.

“On Monday (April 27) we resumed elective surgeries at our facility,” Wleklinski said. “However, we still need to be prepared if there is an upcoming COVID-19 patient surge. This increased access to cloth masks for non-patient-facing staff will also help preserve the PPE inventory that is required for patient-facing care situations. We can’t thank La-Z-Boy enough for this generous donation.”

From a supply perspective, the donation was greatly appreciated, according to Scott Harris, materials management director at SSRH.

“We check daily to assure that we have the masks available to protect our most valued resource, our staff,” Harris said. “The timing of the donation was perfect. In the current environment the La-Z-Boy masks could not have come at a better time. We are truly blessed to have local partners like La-Z-Boy, and, from the materials management department, a sincere ‘Thank You’ for your generosity.”

Davison said La-Z-Boy Siloam Springs has a strong partnership with Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and that it’s the hospital most of their employees use. He also stressed the importance of giving back to the communities that they live and work in.

“La-Z-Boy Cares is a company program that encourages employee volunteerism in the community,” he said. “Enterprise wide, we share employee experiences through stories and photographs of our employees serving in the communities in which they live and work. Many of our employees are consistently sharing their time and resources to help several local non-profits. Monetarily, employee donations to local charities and the La-Z-Boy Foundation have been instrumental in the growth of and impact on local charities. The La-Z-Boy Foundation was created by our founders as a way to give to back to the communities in which we work.”

Arkansas State Representative Robin Lundstrum also was present when the face masks arrived to show her support and meet La-Z-Boy and hospital leadership.

“She has served as a voice for healthcare in Northwest Arkansas,” Bracks said. “She’s also been an advocate for the safety of our patients, staff and physicians. We’re so thankful for her help.”

“Northwest Health has been blessed to receive so many donations of personal protective equipment, face masks and food from our friends and neighbors in Northwest Arkansas,” said Denten Park, market CEO for Northwest Health. “Local businesses and our community members have been so kind in showing their support for their local hospitals and especially the team members working there. I feel fortunate to live in a community where people truly care about each other. This donation is an example of the wonderful people in this area looking out for one another.”

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