The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation has given a $97,128 gift to SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital to purchase a CentriMag Acute Circulatory Support (ECMO) System, advancing lifesaving cardiac and respiratory care for patients across the region.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary support for failing hearts or lungs during cardiac arrest, severe respiratory illness, or when patients cannot be weaned from a heart-lung bypass machine following cardiac surgery. The new system will replace aging equipment and significantly improve safety, reliability, and speed during time-critical interventions.
“This technology truly represents a major leap forward in the lifesaving care we can provide,” according to Jen Schmitz, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Surgical and Procedural Services director. “Right now, transferring patients requires a short pause in support and a few extra steps. The CentriMag system makes this much easier. It lets care teams move patients smoothly and safely, with transitions happening in just seconds.”
The new CentriMag system is also used broadly throughout Wisconsin, allowing seamless integration with transfer hospitals and flight teams. Because the system is compatible with most major medical centers’ equipment, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital will be able to transfer critically ill patients more safely and efficiently – expediting access to advanced cardiac care such as transplants or ventricular assist devices.
“Having the CentriMag system creates a safer, faster, and more reliable way to stabilize and transfer patients who need advanced care,” Schmitz adds. “It aligns us with the hospitals we partner with, improves outcomes, and ensures that our community continues to have access to the highest level of lifesaving technology.”
The ECMO system will benefit the community at large.
“We are grateful to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation for making this investment possible,” Schmitz says. “Their support directly translates into saved lives. This equipment ensures our team can provide the fast, safe, and advanced care our patients deserve.”
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation continues its mission to support transformational technology and patient-centered initiatives that strengthen the health of the Fond du Lac area.
“By supporting the CentriMag ECMO system, we are investing in more than technology,” according to Mason Gravelle, Philanthropy Development Manager, Wisconsin Region, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. “We are giving families precious time, giving patients renewed hope, and giving our care teams the tools they need when life hangs in the balance. This gift is a promise to our community – that we will continue to be there for them in their most fragile and urgent moments.”
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation has given a $97,128 gift to SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital to purchase a CentriMag Acute Circulatory Support (ECMO) System, advancing lifesaving cardiac and respiratory care for patients across the region. Mason Gravelle, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation (right), is shown with Megan Roethle and Michael Quinlan, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital staff perfusionists.