Hospital Equipment Gets A Second Life at Non-Profits

Next month, demolition will begin on Kaiser Permanente South Bay’s old North Hospital—but, before the wrecking ball strikes, local non-profits had the opportunity to go “shopping” for in-kind donations. On April 15, staff from the Salvation Army’s “Meals on Wheels” program, Operation USA, Long Beach Comprehensive Health Center, the Delancey Street Foundation and Christian Outreach in Action claimed retired equipment from the old hospital, to give it a second life serving the community.

“This old hospital took care of so many people during it’s nearly sixty years in operation. It’s fitting that this equipment is being passed on to local non-profits, where it can continue to bring health and well-being to the community,” said Lesley Wille, RN and executive director of Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center.

Opened in 1957, the old hospital was replaced by a new North Hospital Tower, which opened on February 10, 2015. Much of the equipment donated is from the cafeteria, and will support programs that provide meals to the homebound, disabled, homeless or hungry. In addition, office furniture and lighting donations went to organizations devoted to community development and health.

“The meals that we provide are sometimes the only hot food that our seniors receive all day,” said Captain Marcelo Goncalves of the Salvation Army Redondo Beach Corps “Meals on Wheels” program. “With this equipment we’ll be able to provide more homebound seniors with the nutritional support they need.”

In addition to in-kind donations, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center provides grants to area non-profits committed to improving access to care, obesity prevention and violence prevention. Kaiser Permanente physicians and staff also participate in a number of volunteer community service projects throughout the year, including Community Surgery Day, which provides needed surgical procedures to uninsured and under-insured individuals.