News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that Coshocton County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Appalachia (GOA) to acquire cardiac equipment to improve the level of care for the growing number of cardiology patients in Coshocton and surrounding counties. GOA Director Fred Deel was joined by federal, state and local officials to present the award to the CCMH today.

"This grant will not only ensure improved care for patients, but will also allow the hospital to retain one doctor and attract an additional physician," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Rural medical facilities typically operate with a high patient to doctor ratio, and the addition of a physician will increase the availability and quality of services. We would like to thank the Coshocton County Memorial Hospital for striving to meet the needs of those it serves while promoting wellness, prevention and maintenance of cardiovascular diseases."

CCMH has experienced a steady increase in cardiovascular patients from Coshocton and surrounding counties and is the only medical facility in the County that provides cardiopulmonary disease treatment. The hospital will invest $350,000 in the project to upgrade its ability to provide cardiac services in a timelier manner. The grant funds will allow CCMH to purchase an echocardiograph machine, echo stress support infrastructure and intra-operative monitors that will reduce the amount of time patients wait to receive services.

The Governor's Office of Appalachia is a division of the Department of Development and represents the interests of the 29 counties comprising East Central, Southeast and Southern Ohio. The GOA works on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C. to support local, regional, state and federal initiatives that allow the people of Ohio's Appalachian region to obtain economic, educational and community prosperity.

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Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Kelly Hassett at (614) 466-4133