AT&T Foundation Donates $50,000 to Support Madison’s Healthcare Heroes Operating on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

AT&T Blog Team
May 20, 2020
Public Safety

AT&T Foundation Donates $50,000 to Support Madison’s Healthcare Heroes Operating on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Across the country and around the world, healthcare workers and medical personnel are playing a critical role in helping care for their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  To support those helping us through this difficult time, the AT&T Foundation is donating $50,000 to two Madison hospitals.

“We are proud to support the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who leave their families every day, risking their health to help others.”

Scott T. VanderSanden, President – AT&T Wisconsin

“I don’t think we can say ‘thank you’ enough to our healthcare workers and first responders for the job they do every day – and that’s especially true during this time,” said Scott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin.  “We are proud to support the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who leave their families every day, risking their health to help others.”

The AT&T Foundation has contributed to the following organizations:

  • SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital: A $25,000 grant will support emergency funding needs for SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in response to the COVID-19 crisis, including protecting and caring for frontline healthcare workers and converting care areas for COVID-19 patient care.  The funding from the AT&T Foundation will also be used to help purchase PPE for frontline healthcare workers and to support emerging priority needs during the pandemic.
  • University of Wisconsin Foundation: A $25,000 grant will support UW Health’s nourishment program for essential healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including free or reduced cafeteria meals, “grab and go” snacks, gift cards to local restaurants, and dorm welcome bags for hospital staff staying in a UW-Madison dorm.  The funding from the AT&T Foundation will also support UW Health’s new emergency day care center for essential employees without child care, and their drive-through COVID-19 collection site for testing UW Health employees who are symptomatic.

“This grant from the AT&T Foundation to our Emergency Response Fund will help sustain us as we face the most significant public health crisis of our time,” said Dina Boyle, Executive Director of SSM Health St. Mary’s Foundation. “COVID-19 is placing an incredible burden on our health care system, but with this grant, we will emerge stronger than ever and continue to provide compassionate care for the community as we have since 1912.”

“UW Health is facing an unprecedented increase in needs related to the COVID-19 global pandemic,” said Mike Knetter, President and CEO of the University of Wisconsin Foundation. “We are grateful to the AT&T Foundation for their generous support of our healthcare heroes, our patients and our community during this crisis.”

The AT&T Foundation’s support is part of AT&T Believes℠ — a company-wide effort to make a meaningful impact in local communities. 

AT&T has made a nationwide commitment to provide much-needed support for first responders, medical personnel and others impacted by COVID-19.  The effort kicked off with a $1.5 million contribution to World Central Kitchen.  We’re also supporting Feeding America, The Salvation Army and Team Rubicon.  AT&T will also be collaborating with a host of additional local organizations in communities most impacted by the pandemic.  Learn more, including instructions for making individual contributions, by clicking here.

Additionally, AT&T has announced that eligible nurses and physicians across the county are now eligible for three free months of service for a smartphone or tablet with eligible new or existing FirstNet Mobile-Responder plan.1 FirstNet is the nationwide wireless communications network designed for first responders and those who support them. Information on this offer and all of AT&T’s pandemic relief efforts can be found on our COVID-19 information page

1 *Ltd. time offer. Credits equal to 3 months of recurring service charges (incl taxes & fees) on a FirstNet Mobile–Responder plan for smartphone or tablet will start within 3 bills. Available only to eligible physicians and nurses who have, or qualify and subscribe to a new, FirstNet Mobile–Responder plan. For current subscribers, credits will automatically be applied to an existing line of service. New subscribers may migrate an AT&T line of service or activate a new FirstNet Mobile—Responder line of service. New subscribers must qualify for FirstNet service and complete verification process within 30 days. Customer must provide or purchase their own device and use a FirstNet SIM. See offer details at https://digital.firstnet.com/currentoffers.

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