AHN Wexford Hospital Receives Grant from Highmark Foundation to Support Local EMS Services

Funding will support equipment donations and opportunities for continued education for EMS providers across the hospital’s footprint

WEXFORD, Pa. – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) announced today that AHN Wexford Hospital has received a $182,500 grant from the Highmark Foundation in support of local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies located in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties.

The generous funding will be utilized by AHN Wexford Hospital and AHN Prehospital Care Services to purchase and donate needed equipment to several EMS agencies located north of Pittsburgh. A portion of the funding will also provide the agencies with access to continued training and educational opportunities for EMTs.

Leaders from AHN Wexford and Prehospital Care Services gathered today on the hospital’s campus to distribute the items to representatives from Cranberry Township EMS, Economy EMS, Harmony EMS, McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, Medic Rescue, Quality EMS, Richland EMS, Ross/West View EMS, Shaler/Hampton EMS, Valley Ambulance Authority and West Deer EMS. 

The donated items included advanced IV infusion pumps for controlled medication delivery, intraosseous (IO) drills for rapid vascular access, advanced video laryngoscopes to aid in airway management, nitrous oxide systems for pain management and more. 

EMS organizations often face financial challenges in acquiring essential equipment due to limited funding, making it difficult to maintain existing equipment and invest in new technologies.

"AHN Wexford Hospital is incredibly thankful for the Highmark Foundation's partnership in supporting our local EMS agencies," said Allan Klapper, MD, president, AHN Wexford. "First responders are the front line of community health, and this initiative supports them in providing vital, high-quality interventions which can lead to better outcomes for our patients."

Further enhancing the skillset of those providing emergency care services to the communities served by these agencies, the grant will also support advanced training and education of EMTs by providing access to various conferences, symposiums and specialized programming.

AHN Wexford Hospital has demonstrated a strong commitment to local EMS agencies since opening its doors in 2021, beginning with the launch of the community-based paramedic response unit (PRU). Led by AHN Prehospital Care Services, the PRU works in collaboration with the region’s community-based EMS agencies in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties and provides general assistance to the agencies, particularly when patients require additional supportive care.

The Highmark Foundation is also a dedicated champion of community-based first responders, providing funding for essential equipment and mental well-being support.

“At the Highmark Foundation, we believe everyone deserves access to the highest quality health care programs and services," said Kenya T. Boswell, senior vice president of Community Affairs at Highmark Health, president of the Highmark Foundation. "We are proud to support AHN Wexford and AHN Prehospital Care Services to help ensure that our local EMS agencies have the resources they need to provide timely, effective emergency medicine to our neighbors living north of Pittsburgh.”

AHN Prehospital Care Services is comprised of physician-led EMS medical direction, education, quality assurance, business development, mobile integrated health, medical special operations, emergency medical services, critical care air and ground transport via LifeFlight and EMS communications centers. To learn more, visit www.ahn.org/services/prehospital.