Diagnostic imaging giant Siemens Healthcare presented a new Ysio Digital Radiography System to the Children's Health Fund, which has now raised more than $285,000 via online auction. The John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, had the final bid and administrators presented all proceeds to the charity organization in a ceremony held at the hospital last week.

Siemens donated the $450,000 DR system to the Children's Health Fund late last year. The CHF organized an online auction soon after, with the starting bid at $99,999. John T. Mather Memorial administrators made their winning bid 10 days later and installation of the Ysio is now complete. All proceeds will benefit the charity organization's various outreach programs.

"The funds donated will be used to support CHF programs and urgently needed health and mental health services for children and families across the nation, needed now more than ever due to these tough economic times," remarked Karen Redlener, Children's Health Fund Executive Director.

Siemens Healthcare Vice President of Cardiac, Interventional/Neuro and X-ray Systems Claus Grill noted that the charitable donation and subsequent auction was originally organized as a marketing campaign, but that "in the end...the campaign turned out to be much more."

"The donation of the system uniquely helped Siemens give back to the communities we serve. First, to the Port Jefferson, N.Y., area where Mather Hospital and its staff can now integrate the Ysio into their care delivery model. And secondly, to underserved children and their families across the United States via the strength of the Children's Health Fund network, which provides comprehensive health care to those who may not otherwise be able to access it," Grill commented.

For patients and providers at John T. Mather Memorial, the Ysio represents a leap forward into entirely digital radiography. The new system is fully automated with wireless DR detectors, rapid image acquisition and more than 500 preset examination positions.

"The Ysio is replacing a non-digital radiographic room in which imaging plates and computerized radiography readers were needed to transform the imaging to a digital image," noted Dr Michael Burghardt, Administrative Director of Imaging Services for John T. Mather Memorial Hospital. "With the Ysio now installed, examination times are shorter resulting in greater customer satisfaction and patient throughput. As a digital radiography solution, Ysio delivers high-resolution images within seconds of acquisition. In fact, images acquired with the wi-D (Wireless Detector) can be previewed within 5 seconds. For our patients, this means that they will spend less time in the radiographic examination room. Also, with a maximum weight capacity of 300 kg (660 lbs.), we can accommodate patients of practically all sizes."

Actor and CHF advisory council member Charles Grodin was in attendance at the ceremony.

The Children's Health Fund was founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Dr. Irwin Redlener as an advocacy organization devoted to youths and families in need. The CHF works with renowned academic medical centers and employs the most modern technologies and mobile medical clinics to provide health care and other services to disadvantaged communities throughout the nation.

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