Globus Relief dedicates new surgical sort center

To those who help sort through donated surplus or outdated medical supplies for Globus Relief, Friday's ribbon cutting meant more than just celebrating some spiffy new signs and shiny new shelves.

After two years in the making, a large section of the Globus Relief warehouse, 1775 W. 1500 South, was officially dedicated as the new surgical sort center, where an estimated $2 million worth of supplies each year will be sorted and shipped to needy hospitals and clinics around the world.

For Globus Relief president John Pingree Jr., it means being able to get needed supplies more quickly into the hands of staff at places like one hospital he visited in North Korea, at which latex gloves and gauze were being reused for surgical procedures.

Inside the hospital, Pingree witnessed an active surgical environment that, in his estimation, was not at all sterile.

"It's something we feel horrible about," he told a small crowd gathered for the dedication.

Ivory Homes CEO Clark Ivory knew Pingree needed help with furnishing the new sorting area and pitched in with funding and resources, including contractors employed by his business. Ivory praised Globus Relief for its leadership and efficiency.

"We love the idea of the sort center," he said.

Boxes inside the warehouse were already piled high and full of supplies from St. Mark's Hospital, where its director of surgical services saw items that were considered outdated technology being thrown away.

"On the other side of the world, they are thrilled to have it," Corbie Petersen said. At least every other week someone from Globus Relief picks up donations from St. Mark's.

Globus Relief community relations director Sarah Monson said last year 8,000 volunteer hours were spent sorting through medical supplies at the warehouse. With the new sorting area, Monson expects the number of hours to triple this year.

Across the country, about $200 million worth of usable surplus medical supplies from operating rooms are simply thrown away each year, according to the American Medical Association.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com