Submitted photo Chrissy Hall, center, community engagement coordinator for the Davis Health System Foundation, addressed the Elkins Rotary Club. Joining her are Elkins Rotary Club President Tammie Rizzio, left, and Elkins Rotarian and Davis Health System Foundation board member Christy Tribble, right.

ELKINS — Chrissy Hall, community engagement coordinator for the Davis Health System Foundation, addressed the Elkins Rotary Club. Hall joined the Foundation in March 2024, after serving as program manager for the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area from 2019 through April 2024. A native of Beverly, WV, Hall holds a B.A. degree from West Virginia University.

The Davis Health System Foundation’s mission is to ‘Advance Healthcare Through Giving’ and, in fulfilling that mission, provides support for the patients of Davis Medical Center, Webster Memorial Hospital in Webster Springs and Broaddus Hospital in Philippi. The funds to provide this support are raised through various donations and special events throughout the year.

There are a number of patient funds that are earmarked for specific purposes. The Cancer Patient Assistance Fund helps families manage the financial burden that comes with cancer treatment. “We have a ‘Live Well’ kit that provides skin care products as treatments can be really tough on the body,” stated Hall. “It also can assist with costs associated with travel, lodging, prosthetics, wigs, medical equipment, mammograms and other personal expenses. It’s very helpful for those patients because we want them to focus on their health without worry about the financial burden.” In 2024, the Foundation held a Cancer Survivor Celebration dinner to honor those who survived cancer and remember those who lost their lives. The event was able to raise awareness about cancer and recognize ongoing efforts to improve treatments.

The Davis House Fund is the two-story red brick home beside the hospital. The home was renovated and opened in 2012 to provide housing for cancer patients while receiving treatment. There is no charge to stay at the Davis House. There are six suites with individual bathrooms, beds and a mini-frig. There is a washer and dryer on both floors for the use of the patients. The Davis House also provides rooms for surgery patients who need to travel from out-of-town for an early morning appointment. Over the past year, approximately 585 guests had the opportunity to take advantage of this facility. One way to support the Davis House is by purchasing a brick for ‘Legacy Lane’ to honor or remember a family member or friend.

The Sunshine Fund is designed to support employees. Employees of the hospitals may make donations to assist fellow employees through payroll deduction. Funds may be used for expenses such as utility bills in addition to medical expenses.

The Scholarship Fund is available to students from Randolph, Tucker, Barbour, Upshur, Pocahontas, and Webster counties. The 2025 Davis Health System Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Brynna Pyle of Webster County High School. The 2025 Medical Staff Scholarship was awarded to Natalie Morgan of Tygarts Valley High School. The 2025 Davis Medical Volunteer Services Scholarship is awarded to students who have done exemplary service and volunteering in the community. This year’s recipient is Hannah Bonnett of Elkins High School. “It’s amazing to be able to help these students who are aspiring to be in the medical profession,” said Hall. “It’s amazing to see all of those students and their drive and passion.”

The Orchard Hall Fund supports the maintenance and upkeep of Orchard Hall. The Hall was gifted to the hospital and it can be booked for local events such as dinners or holiday parties. Foundation events such as the Derby Gala are held there as well. “There are areas that need updated and refreshed. It’s great to have a space available for public use,” said Hall. “I’m the contact for booking if anyone is interested in an event space.”

The Medical Missions Fund supports medical outreach. A couple of Davis Health System nurses were able to tap into this fund to cover some of their expenses to travel to Black Mountain in North Carolina during this past spring’s devastating floods to provide medical services to those affected by the natural disaster.

There are also funds specifically designed to support Webster Memorial Hospital and its patients as well as a fund to support Broaddus Hospital and its patients.

The Caring for Kids program provides support for kids in the community. Partner organization Davis Trust Company sponsors a baby bundle for all newborns at the hospital. Each family receives a bib, a onesie, safe sleep items, a thermometer, and a backpack that opens to a changing pad. The program can also provide funds for car seats and a pack-and-play for families in need. Each newborn is enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library which provides books to the child until age 5. At age five, the Reach Out and Read program provides age-appropriate books to a child when they have their annual well-child visit.

Another component of the Caring for Kids program is the Jared Box initiative. The project is named in memory of Jared McMullen, a 5-year-old cancer patient at Geisinger Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania. When McMullen went for treatment, he always took a backpack filled with games, toys and activities to help pass the time. After his passing, McMullen’s schoolmates initiated a project to provide similar items to other children at Geisinger Medical Center. The boxes at Davis Medical Center are provided to children at the Emergency Department, in the lab or on surgery days. “It just brings a smile to a child’s face and I’m glad we’re able to do that here at the hospital,” commented Hall. “Last year over 350 Jared boxes were distributed. A lot of groups provide these donations for children.”

The Foundation holds many special events throughout the year to which the public are invited. The 8th annual Day at the Races Derby Gala was held on May 3, raising $ 13,000.00 to help provide support for its various programs and projects. Upcoming events include the DHS Golf Classic on September 8 at the Pete Dye Golf Course in Bridgeport and the Clays for a Cause Sporting Clay Tournament in October at Stonewall Sporting Clays in Lewis County.

In the past year, the Foundation has been able to provide new furniture for Laurel Place, a new vital signs monitor was purchased for Webster Memorial Hospital, Broaddus Hospital received an outpatient EKG machine, and Davis Health Center Emergency Department and Cancer Center received belly boards and blanket warmers. Additionally, the Davis Medical Center Food Pharmacy, which is supported by Citizens Bank of WV, provides healthy foods for eight weeks and dietary guidance for those with diabetes.

“I’m really proud to be a part of the Foundation; it speaks to me. I have a passion for helping folks. I’ve had people who have been diagnosed and passed away from cancer, and to see and know you’re able to help those individuals through this difficult time and ease their mind a little bit when it comes to the financial burden of the expenses of treatment,” concluded Hall.