Area businesses help hospital’s effort to fight COVID

Katy O’Bryan, The Seguin Gazette

Local manufacturing businesses rallied together to donate COVID-19 testing machines to the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation for the hospital’s efforts in fighting the pandemic.

Alamo Group (TX) Inc., Caterpillar Inc., Commercial Metals Company-Steel Texas, GVEC, E.P.M.P. LTD. and Republic Plastics LTD. were involved in the combined effort, donating more than $100,000 in equipment to GRMF for the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.

“It was an effort created by Dr. Phillip Rinn. He is a great doctor, local physician, strong family roots; he gets healthcare,” said Elaine Bennett, CEO of Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation, at a recognition ceremony on Tuesday.

“Ian Burden, of the Alamo Group, saw what the hospital was needing to process tests, and lit a fire of generosity that spread,” Bennett said.

“Ian reached out to the other manufacturers and they saw our need and they supported the cause,” she said. “It’s not really about the recognition but rather that they understand the need for the community and they understand the pandemic we’re in. The results of the test help everyone, not only the manufacturing (facilities) to keep their lines running but also the community to get us into to the new norm.”

The donated equipment included items that run tests to determine if the disease is active and others to help run rapid tests for the in-patient side, all of which are capable of adapting COVID-19’S changing nature.

“Our hospital is about being state-of-the-art and keeping up with the technology, but to do that costs a lot of money,” Bennett said. “We are the only city/county hospital without a tax base so every fund that comes through the foundation impacts the hospital and community directly, because that’s what we’re here for.”

For more information on how to donate to the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation, visit www.grmedfoundation.org/COVID-19/ .

Katy O’Bryan is a staff writer for the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail her at katy.obryan@seguingazette.com 

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