An Escambia County hospital can begin renovations to its emergency room thanks to a nearly $1 million donation and pledge from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

In a ceremony held Thursday morning at Atmore Community Hospital, PCI officials presented a mock check in the amount of  $964,000 to hospital administrators.

The donation and pledge was made possible after Tribal Council members passed a resolution for the donation during a recent meeting.

Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin said the Tribe was pleased to make the donation since the hospital provides vital care for the community and for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

“We are thrilled that we are able to help out our local hospital, especially in these tough economic times,” Rolin said at the presentation. “The Tribal Council realizes how important quality healthcare is, and that every person deserves to receive the best care available. We believe this donation will only enhance that quality of care that is already being provided by Atmore Community Hospital.”

The donation included an initial monetary payment of $484,000, which has been earmarked for use in renovations and equipment to the hospital and the emergency room. A minimum of $150,000 will be dedicated to the renovation of the emergency room alone, officials said.

A pledge of $40,000 monthly for the next year was also a part of the ceremony Thursday. Officials with PCI say the payments will give them the option of making additional donations to match money collected from a community supported fundraising event.

John Tucker, ACH vice president and administrator, said the contribution to the hospital could not have come at a better time.
“This is an especially difficult time for rural hospitals across the nation,” Tucker said. “This gift from the Tribe will allow us to make some much-needed improvements to our facility’s equipment and technology. We are very appreciative that the Tribe has once again demonstrated its commitment and extraordinary generosity to organizations in our community.”