KEMMERER — The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $291,933 to South Lincoln Hospital District to purchase a Sequoia Crown Edition ultrasound machine with echo capabilities for the hospital along with two Juniper 2.0 portable ultrasounds to be used in the emergency room and clinic as part of a statewide ultrasound initiative across Wyoming.

The initiative includes nearly $13.9 million to help Wyoming hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and boost sonography and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training opportunities across the state.

“We are very grateful for the Helmsley Charitable Trust in helping us bring the latest ultrasound technology to South Lincoln Hospital District. This will enable us to provide advanced diagnostic imaging which will lead to better care for the patients of South Lincoln Hospital District,” South Lincoln Hospital District CEO Dave Ryerse said.

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.

South Lincoln Hospital District Radiology Manager Sandra Sellers stated, “We appreciate all that the Helmsley Charitable Trust does for small rural hospitals. We have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of multiple grants from them over the years for various pieces of equipment in our department and are incredibly grateful for their generosity. We now have ultrasound machines for point of care in our clinic and emergency department, as well as state-of-the-art equipment for the exams done in the imaging department.”

Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said the grants will help improve access to quality medical treatment for all Wyoming residents, whether they live in the heart of Cheyenne or Casper or in a smaller rural community.

“Our hospitals and health centers need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide top-notch healthcare close to home,” Panzirer said. “These grants help ensure that facilities across Wyoming have the latest and greatest ultrasound equipment and training.”

The grants were announced Thursday, March 21, during a statewide news conference.

About two-thirds (97) of the 143 devices purchased through the $12.3 million in equipment grants are POCUS machines, which are used by providers at the bedside or tableside for immediate assessment of a patient to quickly determine a course of action. The grants will also provide 26 general ultrasound systems and 20 cardiovascular ultrasound systems, which aid in imaging of the heart.

The initiative also includes nearly $1.6 million for the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Initiative, which aims to enhance patient care across the state by both broadening the scope of training in specialty ultrasound and bolstering access to quality POCUS services.