LCRA awards $12,908 grant to Gonzales Healthcare Systems for life-saving equipment

New chest compression system will improve quality of care for cardiac patients

Nov. 28, 2023

Lower Colorado River Authority representatives present a $12,908 grant to Gonzales Healthcare Systems for a new chest compression system. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; S.H. “Steve” Sucher, Gonzales mayor; Charlotte Brecosky, being held by her grandmother, Ronda Miller, Gonzales City Council member, District 4; Wayne South, hospital board of directors, Precinct 4; Amber Pawlik, hospital emergency department manager; Patrick C. Davis, Gonzales County judge; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Karen Iacuone, hospital chief nursing officer; Kenneth Gottwald, hospital board president, Precinct 2; Brandon Anzaldua, hospital chief executive officer; Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur, LCRA Board member; Greg Tieken, hospital board vice president, Precinct 3; and Holly Danz, hospital public relations director.

GONZALES, Texas – Thanks to a $12,908 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority, Gonzales Healthcare Systems will purchase equipment that can help save the lives of people in cardiac crisis. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $3,227 in matching funds from the hospital, will enable Gonzales Healthcare Systems to purchase a new mechanical chest compression system for its emergency room at Memorial Hospital. “This grant is greatly appreciated by Gonzales Healthcare Systems,” said Holly Danz, hospital public relations director. “To be able to purchase new technology such as the heart compressor is allowing the best outcome for all of our patients. This is truly going to be the difference between life or death in our emergency room.” The equipment provides consistent chest compressions and can be operated by one person instead of the team required for manual CPR. “With the use of the heart compressor, compressions are delivered correctly, evenly and without exhausting staff who are needed in other aspects of lifesaving care of the patient,” Danz said. Gonzales Healthcare Systems is an hour away from the nearest major hospital, so it’s crucial that patients are stabilized before being transported to larger facilities equipped to provide intensive cardiac care. The community grant is one of 45 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA

The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.

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