Helmsley Charitable Trust Gives Grants to CentraCare, SCTCC

(KNSI) – CentraCare and St. Cloud Community and Technical College have been given huge gifts by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to increase area ultrasound technicians and equipment.

The organizations donated $1,999,471 to CentraCare to purchase ultrasound equipment for eight facilities across the health system. The grant will provide funding to purchase 23 machines for general ultrasound, heart echocardiogram ultrasound and Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) equipment that will go to all eight of CentraCare’s non-tertiary locations in Benson, Melrose, Monticello, Long Prairie, Paynesville, Sauk Centre and Willmar. The units will go to hospital emergency rooms and clinics based on need.

“This generous grant will increase access in every corner of CentraCare’s 18-county service area, allowing our patients in rural areas to get the same state-of-the-art technology as they would in specialized clinics,” said Dr. Ken Holmen, CentraCare President and CEO.

SCTCC was awarded $1,018,561 from the charitable trust to enhance and expand its sonography program. The campus will buy two state-of-the-art ultrasound systems for the Sonography lab. The money will also be used to develop new training and make it available online and on-site at locations in Greater Minnesota.

“The College is so grateful for the grant provided by the Helmsley Charitable Trust,” said Jennifer Erickson, Interim Dean of Business, IT, and Education. “The expansion of the Sonography AAS and training programs that Customized Training can offer will allow SCTCC to more easily respond to workforce needs in this field we well as provide more accessible training opportunities.”

Sonography jobs are expected to grow by nearly 18% between 2020 and 2030 in Minnesota. Estimated replacement and new job openings are projected at more than 600 positions. Of that, 266 openings are expected outside the seven-county metro region.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. This safe, cost-effective tool supports other clinical information to help providers make timely diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment.

The grants were announced on Tuesday and are part of a $26.4 million state-wide initiative to boost sonography and point-of-care ultrasound training.

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