PENN Entertainment has announced that it has committed $75,000 over five years to the Reading Hospital Foundation. The donation from the PENN Entertainment Foundation supports Street Medicine and Gwen’s Closet, two innovative programs that are improving the quality of care provided to both patients and underserved communities in Berks County.
“We are proud to partner with the Reading Hospital in support of these critically important programs to help those in need in our community,” said Eric Schippers, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for PENN Entertainment and Chair of the PENN Entertainment Foundation. “Located in close proximity to our corporate headquarters, we appreciate and see first hand the tremendous care and important services that Reading Hospital provides.”
The Street Medicine program uses a team approach to deliver primary and preventive care to the unsheltered, those living in homeless shelters, and those at high risk of experiencing homelessness. The goal is to proactively address health issues, decrease emergency department visits, reduce readmission rates, and reduce costs and increase adherence to care plans and medication plans. In fiscal year 2022, the Street Medicine Program provided a total of 1,861 patient visits.
Gwen’s Closet provides basic clothing items to Reading Hospital patients, typically in the emergency or trauma department, in need of replacement clothing because theirs were damaged during their accident or injury. The vision of a Reading Hospital social worker, Gwen’s Closet ensures that all patients can leave the hospital with dignity. In fiscal year 2022, more than 3,000 clothing items were purchased for patients including sweatshirts, sweatpants, t shirts, undergarments, and shoes.
“We appreciate the support from The PENN Entertainment Foundation,” Reading Hospital Foundation president Katherine Thornton said. “The Street Medicine program and Gwen’s Closet provide care and services when our patients need us most and with their support we can ensure our team members are able to provide the assistance to our patients when and where they need it.”
