Foundation grant funds first-aid kits

Staff report

WARREN

Betsy Novakovich, nurse manager of the emergency department at St. Joseph Health Center, was at a local track meet and grabbed a first aid kit when an athlete needed treatment for a wound.

“When getting into the first aid kit, I saw most of the supplies were in need of replacement,” Novakovich said.

“I spoke with the athletic director and some of the coaches ... and they felt that as hard as they try to keep up the supplies, it is a challenge and a common issue for many high schools.”

Novakovich relayed her story to the emergency and trauma-services staff at St. Joseph, and they started a project to supply first-aid bags to every high school in Trumbull County.

The result was that the Humility of Mary Health Partners Development Foundation approved a grant of $4,270 that provided the funding to purchase two bags for each school in Trumbull County.

“The bags are stocked with start-up supplies that we feel are important,” said Novakovich. “And they’re big enough to be supplemented with any additional supplies they need for their specific sports.”

Novakovich and other staff members from St. Joseph are distributing the bags to Trumbull County high schools.

“We’re really proud of this project because it shows how emergency and trauma services at St. Joseph supports the emergency care of our high school athletes whether they come through our doors or not,” Novakovich said.