Excela Health Receives Grant From Mckenna Foundation for Pandemic Response Efforts

LATROBE, PA, April 27, 2020 – In support of Excela Health’s response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation has provided an emergency grant to the health system.

In making the donation, Linda McKenna Boxx, chairman and CEO of the McKenna
Foundation said: “There are so many in our community who are adversely affected by this outbreak, but none are more critical than the frontline healthcare workers. This special grant is given in appreciation for all that the Excela employees are doing.”

John Sphon, Excela Health Chief Executive Officer, noted the significance of this grant. “The McKenna gift couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. We have spent close to $1 million in securing additional personal protective equipment for our care team, beyond our normal supplies, as well as expanded our capabilities to provide appropriate isolation for those patients who require negative air pressure rooms for safe treatment. We are immensely grateful to the foundation and our community for recognizing and responding to these needs.”

The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, headquartered in Latrobe, funds projects related to health, community development, social and human service, among others. The foundation was established in 1969 and over its 50-year history has often demonstrated its support of health initiatives in Westmoreland County, most recently contributing $500,000 to the construction of Excela Square at Latrobe. Previously, the McKenna Foundation provided $250,000 toward the campaign to remodel and enhance the Emergency Department at Excela Latrobe Hospital. Staff in both venues
are involved in Excela’s pandemic response

Organizations and individuals who wish to support Excela Health in its efforts to care for the community during this time may visit www.excelahealth.org and search give. A list of donors who have already joined the effort is featured. Financial assistance may be directed to this cause by selecting “Pandemic Response Fund” from the designation menu