Who Wants to Donate a Stethoscope?
(11/26/2009) The Friends of the Montauk Medical Center hope to raise $500,000 for improvements and new equipment by the end of the year.
Dr. Anthony Knott, who took over the practice in 2007, has submitted a wish list that includes a cardiac monitor, an ultrasound machine, three new examination tables, portable lighting, digital camera equipment, an X-ray machine, a portable blood pressure machine, surgical instruments, a spirometer, a cryoprobe, and a doppler device with probes for peripheral pulse and fetal heart tones.
Donors can have equipment named for them or their loved ones, such as the cardiac monitor (for $10,000), an ankle brachial index instrument ($25,000), a blood-drawing chair ($5,000), or an examination table ($8,000). There is even an opportunity to name the building itself for a $250,000 donation.
Dr. Knott explained on Monday that since he took over the practice from Dr. Gavino Mapula and his wife, Donna Mapula, the number of patients has increased significantly and the need for new equipment has become more pronounced, particularly in the face of a 45-minute drive to Southampton Hospital.
The stuffing is starting to spill out from examination tables, which cannot be adjusted, making it hard for older patients to climb aboard. “We’ve had to adapt,” Dr. Knott said. “Sometimes, though, it’s like doing surgery with kitchen utensils. It’s absolutely clear that we need to upgrade to state-of- the-art equipment.”
One of the founders of the fund-raising organization, George Biondo, who also is a member of the board of directors at Southampton Hospital, was able to incorporate the medical practice into the Meeting House Lane Association, an arm of the hospital that allows eight local medical practices and other diagnostic centers to operate without getting bogged down in paperwork.
The partnership also granted Dr. Knott hospital privileges, and he can now accept many types of insurance, which Dr. Mapula was unable to do. Purchased from Dr. and Mrs. Mapula last December by Craig Wingate, a client of Mr. Biondo’s, the Montauk Medical Center building was leased back to Southampton Hospital for five years with an option to renew.
As a member of Meeting House Lane, the medical practice is also entitled to matching grants for equipment.
The brick building on Main Street is in good condition and there are presently no plans to renovate except to improve accessibility to the handicapped, to redesign the reception area and waiting room, do some painting and plumbing, and add new furniture. Southampton Hospital officials examined the facility and said that its layout is good.
“There’s no reason to raise any more money than we need to,” said Tom Bogdan, another founder of the Friends of the Medical Center.
Donations will be 100-percent tax deductible. There will be a wall of honor, split into two sections, with one for memorials, and the other for family names. Anyone interested in making a gift for the holidays can reach Mr. Biondo at his Montauk law office, Biondo and Hammer, or Mr. Bogdan at Fairview Terrace or at Homeport at Gosman’s Dock. Credit card donations can only be processed through Mr. Bogdan.