OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) -
Owensboro Medical Health System Officials shared their annual community report Thursday morning.
The hospital has given over $19 million to the community. It's part of a goal to create healthier residents.
"I saw a young lady and she was in the middle of an untimely pregnancy and that is what we help girls with," said Executive Director of Carenet Hannah Goebel.
When the idea for 'Bonkers For Babies' hit, Carenet got working right away.
"And she was digging through a tub of clothing, trying to find a maternity shirt to fit. I thought 'That's not going to work out.' That's not an encouragement to her," Goebel said.
Thursday, clients can come into this room and pick out items for their baby and themselves.
"They're earning points to spend and they are having a shopping experience and wanted things to be nice," Goebel said.
Carenet has received community benefit annual grant money from Owensboro Medical Health System since 2007.
They run educational programs and offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.
"Our mission statement is to heal the sick, which we do in the hospital and clinics and to improve the health of the community," said OMHS CEO Dr. Jeff Barber.
It's all part of OMHS's plan and they're partnering with many agencies to reach more people.
"If we improve the health of the community, then we have a healthier population, a healthier workforce, healthier families and less problems in general," Barber says.
Goebel says, without the hospital's help, Bonkers For Babies wouldn't be as effective and even cut their budget, so OMHS could fund more programs.
"We try to make it warm and cozy and comfortable," says Goebel.
If you would like to view the entire 2011 Community Report, click here.
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