Samaritan Fund

Our responsibility to our patients does not end when they leave their hospital room. What many may take for granted becomes the biggest hurdle for others at the end of their hospital stay.  This is where the Samaritan Fund can help.

A gift to the Samaritan Fund helps supports critical gaps.

• Patients may not have the financial ability to pay for their first prescription of an unexpected medication - a medication that is needed to help their body heal and prevent hospital readmission(s).
• Patients healing from injuries sustained in an automobile accident may have lost their only vehicle for transportation home.  Others simply lack a vehicle or the support system to get back home.
• The circumstance of some admissions leaves our patients requiring basic clothing upon discharge.
  
  When patients are preparing for discharge, transportation, medication and basic clothing can present a barrier to recovery. This is where you can help. A gift to the Samaritan Fund helps us help them.
  
  

Stories from the Samaritan Fund

“I remember a patient who needed several medications after a medical emergency. The Samaritan Fund helped cover the cost, ensuring he had them in hand upon discharge.

It is well known that stress can hinder a patient's ability to recover from a medical emergency or illness. Financial stress, in particular, is a significant barrier. The Samaritan Fund helps alleviate that burden, allowing patients to focus on their recovery instead of worrying about how to afford the care they need. I truly believe that providing patients with access to resources like the Samaritan Fund makes a real difference in the speed and quality of their recovery.

Knowing that the Samaritan Fund is supported entirely by gifts from the community and my fellow associates makes me grateful to be part of such a caring community. It shows just how much Lima Memorial’s donors and associates care about the well-being of everyone. They are helping ensure that every patient feels secure and supported when seeking care, regardless of their financial circumstances.”

    - Lindsey Bergman, Pharmacy

“I’ve seen firsthand how the Samaritan Fund has helped patients, both on the case management side and the outpatient pharmacy side. Many patients being discharged need medication or a prescription but have no money or cannot afford it. The Samaritan Fund has been a saving grace for many, ensuring they have the medications they need to go home.

Transportation can also be a challenge. Some patients lack a reliable way to get to a pharmacy or must plan days in advance to arrange a ride. The Meds-to-Beds program, supported by the Samaritan Fund, helps ensure patients receive their medication before leaving the hospital, preventing gaps in care and ensuring they can continue their prescribed treatments. Sometimes, it’s as simple as providing an antibiotic, but without it, a patient could become seriously ill, or an infection could worsen.

Thanks to the Samaritan Fund, patients can access the medicine they need to avoid bad outcomes. It’s inspiring to see how deeply others care for our patients through their donations to the Samaritan Fund. Their commitment elevates the exceptional care we provide at LMHS.

Floor nurses often hear firsthand about the challenges patients face – whether it’s obtaining medication or something as basic as finding a way to get home. The Samaritan Fund truly makes a difference in so many meaningful ways.”

    - Erica Tucker, Care Coordination

“The Samaritan Fund truly enables our department to provide the excellent care our patients deserve. We’ve used it countless times to arrange cab rides home, an ambulette to a nursing home or even a bus ticket for a patient to return to his home in South Carolina.

I remember one patient being discharged to a nursing home who didn’t have any clothing or shoes, as her hospital visit was unexpected. She had no family or friends nearby to bring her belongings, and at the time, we didn’t have any donated clothing in her size. Thanks to the Samaritan Fund, I was able to purchase an outfit and comfortable shoes, ensuring she didn’t have to leave the hospital in a gown. She was so appreciative, and I was grateful to make her transition more comfortable.

The last thing a patient should have to worry about is how to get home or afford medications. The Samaritan Fund helps ease these burdens, allowing patients to focus on what matters most – their recovery.”

    - Drew Peachey, Case Management

“For patients with VA insurance, there's often a time lapse between discharge and when their medications are delivered to their home. To bridge this gap, critical medications can be sent to the pharmacy for 2-3 days, ensuring patients don’t miss doses. This service lifts a tremendous burden off their shoulders and alleviates the stress of potentially missing essential medications.

It means so much for patients to have help with medications or a ride home during such a vulnerable time. This support truly reflects the compassion of everyone involved. The willingness to contribute to such an important fund demonstrates how much we care about our patients, helping them through the discharge process even when they may not be able to afford it."

    - Leslie Ditto, Case Management

“The Samaritan Fund is essential for patients facing barriers at discharge, providing support for medications, transportation and basic needs. I’ve seen the relief it brings, helping patients heal with dignity and care.”

    - Dr. Monzer Saad, Hospitalist Medical Director

For more information about the Lima Memorial Foundation, contact the Foundation office at 419.226.5087