A Friday morning in early November at Soin Medical Center saw Kettering Health continue goodwill toward the Republic of Peru by donating 138 hospital beds and 38 stretchers to medical centers across the South American country.

“It’s nice to know that we were able to make an impact and pay it forward,” said Tracey Haines, the strategic sourcing manager for Supply Chain Management who played a large role in facilitating the donation. “I have been with Kettering for 22 years, so I’m serious about the mission. Paying it forward and helping the community, and knowing that the community is not just local, but global; I think that’s extraordinary.”

Collaboration Leads to a Donation

Representatives from Supply Chain and Facilities Management partnered with Director of Mission and Ministry Nestor Bruno, along with visitors from Peruvian hospitals — Cesar Vallera, Heber Fernandez, and Jose Luis Ramos — to load the stretchers and beds onto trucks. They will eventually be placed on container ships for the long journey to Peru.

The availability of the donations stems from the turnover of equipment across the system to suit regulations or advancements in technology or safety. Beds and stretchers eventually age out, and administrators need to make room for more modern equipment.

“It’s great that, if they’re flipping the beds, they can use them for a good cause,” said Danny McCloud, executive director of Facilities Management. “They have the old beds (in Peru). They still have the crank-up beds. They’re getting a great opportunity for free beds to be able to help people.”

Delivering on a Tradition of Giving

This isn’t the first time Kettering Health has donated beds or stretchers. Previously, the system donated over 250 used and unused hospital beds to medical centers in Argentina and Peru treating underserved communities. Additionally, the system donated 28 hospital beds and four stretchers to Cedarville University’s School of Nursing earlier this year.

“We got connected and knew about the needs of these hospitals in Peru through other hospitals we are helping in South America,” Nestor said. “This will be super good news for the patients in underserved areas near the Amazon River and the hills that mark the border between Peru and Bolivia.”