Submitted Photo An ultrasound technician scans a patient. A grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust is providing ultrasound equipment to health centers across North Dakota.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted just over $3 million to Trinity Health Foundation to purchase ultrasound equipment as part of a $27.4 million ultrasound initiative in North Dakota, according to a news release from the trust and Trinity.

The initiative includes more than $21.8 million to help 69 North Dakota hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and nearly $5.7 million to boost sonography and point of care ultrasound (POCUS) training opportunities across the state, the release stated.

“Trinity Health Foundation is truly honored by this impactful grant, which will empower Trinity

Health to further elevate the quality of care for the region we serve. This state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment will greatly enhance our ability to diagnose and treat patients with precision, ensuring that those in need have access to the best possible medical technology. On behalf of Trinity Health Foundation, we sincerely appreciate the investment in the health and well-being of our region,” said Dusty Zimmerman, Trinity Health Foundation director.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body.

This safe, cost-effective tool supports other clinical information to help providers make timely diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment.

CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck received about $3.8 million to purchase diagnostic ultrasound equipment.

“St. Alexius in Bismarck, along with its sites in Minot, Garrison and Turtle Lake, can now benefit the community with the best ultrasound imaging technology in the country,” said Greg Toepfer, director of Imaging, Heart and Vascular Services. “Patients we serve will continue to benefit from this gift for many years.”

Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said the grants will help improve access to top-notch medical treatment for North Dakotans, whether they live in Fargo,

Bismarck, or Grand Forks, or a smaller rural community such as Bottineau, Rugby or Hettinger.

“These grants will help ensure that hospitals and health centers across North Dakota have the latest in state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment and training,” Panzirer said. “Facilities need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide the very best healthcare close to home.”

The majority (134) of the devices purchased through the grants are POCUS machines, which are used by providers at the bed or tableside for immediate assessment of a patient to quickly determine a course of action. The grants will also provide 57 general ultrasound systems and 24 cardiovascular ultrasound systems, which aid in imaging of the heart.

The initiative also includes nearly $1.9 million to North Dakota State University and nearly $3.8 million to High Quality Medical Education (HQMEDED) to expand sonographer expertise and provide comprehensive POCUS training to doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

Additionally, more than $64,000 will go to individual facilities to boost sonographer training.individual facilities to boost sonographer training.

The Helmsley Charitable Trust has committed $72 million to fund ultrasound equipment and training initiatives for rural communities and underserved populations in Nevada, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wyoming.