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FOUNDATION 605 Oak Street Big Rapids, MI 49307-2048
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New Foundation Board Directors Announced The Mecosta County Medical
of Business have all accepted
Services Board. Dr. Johnston
Center Foundation is pleased
three year appointments. Mr.
has been an active participant in
to welcome new directors to its
Adleman, a retired manager for
Foundation events and activities
Board. Mr. Art Adleman, Chair of
Picker International, is the liaison
and is a member of the Wheatlake
the Mecosta County Commission,
between the Mecosta County
Cancer and Wellness Walk and 5K
Dr. Michelle Johnston, Dean of the
Commission and the Mecosta
Committee. Dr. Nicol is a member
Ferris State University College of
County Medical Center Board
of the Mecosta County Medical
Education and Human Services
of Trustees and has served as a
Center Board and will serve as its
and Dr. Dave Nicol, Dean of the
Medical Center trustee and as a
liaison to the Foundation.
Ferris State University College
member of the Mecosta Health
Together We Provide “Advanced Care with a Personal Touch” Maintaining the highest standard of care at Mecosta County Medical Center is a challenging task that benefits from the generosity of our friends and area businesses and
Department-focused Funds:
Named Funds:
Birthing Center Fund: Supports
Kristi Bergelin Andres
breast feeding education,
Endowment Fund: Supports the
equipment and staff development
coping with cancer and nutrition
organizations. Please consider a
Cardiac and Pulmonary
gift to help with the renovation
Rehabilitation Fund: Provides
of our Birthing Center to give
equipment and education
babies and mothers the best possible care. If you are interested in other MCMC areas that have helped you or your family or friends, please consider a gift to one of the following funds:
Digital Mammography Fund: Supports the digital mammography system Emergency Department Fund: Provides nursing education and emergency equipment Home Health Care Fund:
collections of the lending library of the Wheatlake Center John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall Wheatlake Center Men’s Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund: Supports cancer and wellness resources for men Mecosta County Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment Services of Canadian Lakes
Medical Center Focused Funds:
(MHS-CL), a department of
health services
Mecosta County Medical Center,
General Fund: Supports MCMC
Provides equipment and training
services and helps to meet areas of greatest need Equipment Fund: Purchases healthcare technology and medical service equipment Physician-directed Fund: Supports projects and programs of the MCMC Medical Staff
Kempton Center for Women Fund: Supports the Kempton Center Medical Imaging Fund: Supports equipment and training Surgical Services Fund:
which serves the health care needs of families at all stages of life Susan P. Wheatlake Women’s
MCMC Foundation Staff Tom Hogenson, Executive Director Debra Jacks, Director of Planned Giving and Development Nicole Leyder, Foundation Coordinator
Provides local cancer and wellness resources If you have questions regarding how to make or direct your gift to a specific purpose at Mecosta County Medical Center, please
Wheatlake Center Fund:
contact Tom Hogenson at 592.4409 or thogenson@mcmcbr.com or Debra Jacks at 592.4327 or djacks@mcmcbr.com.
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Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Mecosta County Medical Center and its mission of “advanced care with a personal touch.”
Cancer and Wellness Fund:
Provides equipment and training
Supports the Wheatlake Center
Art Adleman Nancy Baldwin Carman Bean Dave Borth Sam Daugherty Sharon Doxsee Dena Durante Bob Emerson Tom Hogenson Joe Hohenberger Dolores Horan Dr. Michelle Johnston Jerena Keys June Kilmer Dr. Peter Macdonald Steve Miller Sheila Nero Wayne O’Neil Dr. Dave Nicol Barb Pillsbury Julie Tetsworth Delores “Dee” VanHorn Scott Whitney Gail Wyatt
Fund: Supports Mecosta Health
Provides resources for home Inpatient Rehabilitation Fund:
MCMC Foundation Board
VITALSIGNS is published by the MCMC Foundation. Editor: Tom Hogenson Writer: Debra Jacks Photographer: Nicole Leyder Designer: Cassie Fossitt 231.592.4409 www.mcmcbr.com ©2012 VITALSIGNS
Winter 2012 EDITION
Birthing Center Renovation Moving Forward Welcoming a baby is a wonderful experience for families. Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends all help to ensure that the new arrival has the care and the environment that will provide baby (or sometimes, babies) with a healthy and happy beginning. Painting the nursery, stocking up on diapers, buying those adorable clothes and dreaming of the little one’s future – it’s all part of the delight that comes with the birth of a child. Nurses at the Birthing Center at Mecosta County Medical Center share this meaningful event with hundreds of families each year. Staffing our facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 a year, these skilled and well-prepared healthcare professionals are registered nurses, many of whom have continued their educations to earn bachelors and masters degrees. The current nurses have an average of 18 years experience
The Medical Center opened its redesigned obstetrical care unit as the Birthing Center in 1995. Serving the needs of west central Michigan, the facility was planned to accommodate minimally 500 births a year. The reputation of its well established and growing physicians’ practice and the highly educated nursing staff has contributed to the significant increase in births at MCMC with as many as 700 births each year. This heightened usage coupled with patients’ and caregivers’ needs, required a reconfiguration of space. Standards of care and technology enable babies to stay in their mother’s room permitting nurses to assess, facilitate and teach families in preparation for their new lives together. The traditional nursery setting is still available for babies who require special care such as phototherapy, antibiotics or breathing assistance and for times when new mothers need quiet time for sleep and recovery.
and are continually updating and enhancing their knowledge base and certifications in specialized areas such as neonatal resuscitation, fetal heart monitoring and lactation. From the pre-admission meeting though all the stages of labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum, nurses focus their attention on the emotional and physical well-being of the mother. They also assist parents to create a healthy, secure bond with their child. Childbirth education, sibling classes and breastfeeding classes are offered to enable parents to prepare
Please join us in supporting this important renovation. The Birthing Center project will be funded by private gifts through the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation, grants and Medical Center funds. For more information about how you can help with this project, please contact Tom Hogenson at 592.4409 or thogenson@mcmcbr.com or Debra Jacks at 592.4327 or djacks@mcmcbr.com.
themselves and their families for the experience as well as the changes that accompany the arrival of a baby. “Our Birthing Center nurses have a passion for helping mothers experience the incredible achievement and joy that arrives with a new baby. They also are compassionate in their caring for families who suffer a loss or who are challenged by complications.”
- Betsy Workman, MCMC Birthing Center Director
The Auxiliary of MCMC’s Community Block Party – Ice Cream Social was the perfect opportunity to check in on the children and grandchildren of our Birthing Center’s physicians, nurses and staff all of whom were born at the Center. Pictured: Back: Sean Higley, Kylie Purcell, Lauren Gray, Aiden McLaughlin, Justin Gray, Braden McCaman, Alec Jensen, Drew Jensen and Garrett Mohr. Middle: Liam McLaughlin, Giuliana Bush, Delaney McLaughlin, Heather Van Syckle, Luke Mohr and Anna Mohr. Front: Dr. Jack Parks with Morgan Parks, Dr. Sara Schugars with Abigail Davis, Michelle Flachs with Gunner Flachs and Mikel Sweet with Nolan Sweet.
“There is art and skill to nursing. In the Birthing Center, our nurses make good use of both in monitoring the health and changing conditions of mothers and babies.”
Welcoming baby are Deb Bush, RNC and Mark, Danielle, Abbie and Maximus Debano.
- Netty Cove, MCMC Chief Clinical Officer
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Kristi Bergelin Andres Endowment Fund Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation is assisting Susan Thomson Hamer in honoring her lifelong friend, Kristi Bergelin Andres, who passed away March 9, 2010. Kristi was a resident of the Big Rapids community who retired as the manager of the trade book department of the Ferris State University Lundberg Bookstore. She was a very active community member serving as treasurer of the Friends of the Big Rapids Public Library, as a member of the Medical Center Auxiliary, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the Mecosta County Historical Society and as an active advocate and volunteer for the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center. Honoring a friendship that began as two little girls growing up in Big Rapids and continued through the events of their building lives and families, Mrs. Hamer is celebrating their friendship by helping others in Kristi’s name. Funding from this Endowment Fund will be used for the support of the coping with cancer and nutrition collections in the lending
Family and friends gathered to celebrate the establishment of the Kristi Bergelin Andres Endowment Fund, (back row, left to right) Melissa Andres, Steve Andres, Susan Wheatlake and Loren Andres, (front row) Dave Borth, Susan Thomson Hamer and Tom Hogenson.
library of the Wheatlake Center. Materials purchased with funds from this Endowment will be identified as gifts from the Kristi Bergelin Andres
“I dedicate this Endowment to my lifelong friend, Kristi. We
Endowment Fund.
learned much together; shared more; and loved the natural things
For more information about the Andres Endowment, please contact Debra Jacks, Director of Planned Giving and Fund Development for the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation at 231.592.4327 or djacks@mcmcbr.com.
in life. Thank you for your perspicacity, your uncommon and saliferous wit, your dedication to family and community, your quiet courage, and your abundant heart. Most of all, thank you for your friendship. It is a treasure.”
- Susan Thomson Hamer
Mecosta County Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment When considering a permanent move to Canadian Lakes, Sheila Nero
Now in her second term of service as a director of Mecosta County
appreciated everything about the development, its residents and the
Medical Center Foundation, Sheila has established the Mecosta County
Mecosta County area. She had only one concern. This former resident
Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment Fund. “MCMC showed their
of Chicago and New York City was accustomed to the amenities of urban
commitment to the residents of Canadian Lakes by opening a medical
living – one of which was top quality health care. Sheila soon learned that
center within our community. The building was designed to accommodate
Mecosta County Medical Center was able to meet her needs and in fact,
expansion and as our needs grow, it is important to ensure that the
was willing to come to her community with the opening of the Mecosta
services grow with us. This medical practice serves the health care needs
Health Services Canadian Lakes Office in 1999.
of families at all stages of life,” Sheila explained. “I want to help provide
“Having lived in major cities all of my life, I was drawn to the peaceful tranquility of Canadian Lakes and all that the development and surrounding communities offered. My one concern was that I would not have convenient access to the level of health care that I require today and
a source of continuing support for this important asset in my community. I hope more Canadian Lakes residents will become members of what I like to think of as the MCMC Foundation Family and donate to this endowment which exclusively benefits the MCMC Canadian Lakes facility.”
additionally, what I may require in the future,” Sheila commented. She
For more information about making a gift to the Mecosta County Medical
continued, “Like many people who move to a new area, I was reluctant
Center Canadian Lakes Endowment, please contact Debra Jacks at
to give up my doctors. It was a gradual process. I eventually made the
231.592.4327 or djacks@mcmcbr.com.
switch and could not be more pleased. In my evaluation of the situation, I learned that Mecosta County Medical Center could meet my needs and in fact, had the medical staff and facilities to meet the needs of 97 percent of all those who seek treatment at their facilities.”
Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation Event Calendar May 17, 2012 Birthing Center Open House Mecosta County Medical Center May 19, 2012 Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Walk and 5K Big Rapids Middle School June 23, 2012 Wheatlake Charity Golf Outing The Rose Golf Course, LeRoy August 14, 2012 13th Annual Ford Club of Canadian Lakes Golf Outing St. Ives Golf Club, Canadian Lakes For more information about event participation or sponsorships, please contact Foundation Coordinator Nicole Leyder at 231.592.4280 or nleyder@mcmcbr.com.
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Planning for the new Endowment are MCMC Foundation Executive Director Tom Hogenson, Executive Director of Mecosta Health Services Laurie Schafer and Foundation Board Director and Endowment founder, Sheila Nero.
June Kilmer – Local Health Care Advocate June Kilmer is the first person to greet participants at the annual Ford Club of Canadian Lakes Golf Outing to benefit the Mecosta County Medical Center held each year at St. Ives Golf Course. And by her side is her husband, Joe, whom she has known since the third grade and with whom she has celebrated 64 wonderful years of marriage and the birth of six children and six grandchildren. June and Joe are active members of the Ford Club of Canadian Lakes. She was a personnel representative at Ford responsible for managing the records of 120,000 employees. Following three years of service in the United States Air Force in the Pacific, graduating from Wayne State University and beginning his career at Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline, Joe was actively recruited by Ford. He said yes to the company on its sixth offer. The couple knew that they had made the right decision in waiting. On his first day in his new job, the
June and Joe Kilmer (center) accept appreciation for their generous support by Cindy and Karl Linebaugh, Honorary Chairs of MCMC Foundation’s “They Deserve the Best” Digital Mammography Campaign.
first piece of paper that he touched bore the signature of June’s father who happened to be the corporate attorney for the railroad which supplied
conversation led to her contributing her leadership skills for eight years
transportation services for the Ford products!
which included helping to guide the very successful emergency room and
June resumed her studies after the birth of her children. Her time management skills were critical as she juggled family responsibilities and classes at Wayne State University where she earned her bachelors and masters degree in business and distributive education and was a
operating room expansion project that was completed in 2005. She felt a special connection to this project because she was one of the last patients to be treated in the original facility. June also served on the Mecosta Health Services Board from 2002 to 2008.
member of the national honorary fraternity, Delta Pi Epsilon. She taught
“Shortly after completing my service on the Medical Center Board of
in the Farmington Public Schools as a substitute business teacher on
Trustees, I was asked to join the Medical Center Foundation Board,”
contract for three years, then served for sixteen years as its marketing
June explained. “Joe and I share the experience that each of us has been
coordinator placing students in cooperative education business sites
treated for cardiac arrest at MCMC. I had such positive feelings about the
and monitoring their experiences. She was the first woman to become
health care provided by its physicians and staff that it seemed natural to
a member of the Farmington Rotary Club and when she moved to
want to help develop additional resources to support that care.”
Canadian Lakes, she repeated that accomplishment as the first woman to be asked to join the Big Rapids Rotary Club. Additionally, June has provided marketing consulting services to Ohio State University, Northern Illinois University, Michigan State University and the State of Michigan Department of Education.
When nominated for election to the office of treasurer of the Foundation, June thought that this was a role where she could use her financial and business background to contribute to the goals of the organization. “I’m enjoying my work on the Foundation Board. The community support for our projects has been excellent,” June said. She continued, “Both new
An active member of the Canadian Lakes community, June served on the
and long time residents are surprised about the medical professionals
Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation Board. At one of these
available and the services that the Medical Center offers. Having
meetings, she was approached by Bob Fulmer and asked to consider
the opportunity to share this information with my Canadian Lakes
applying for an appointment as a trustee for the Medical Center. That
community as well as residents of the region is very rewarding.”
John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall Wheatlake Center Men’s Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall - Wheatlake Center Men’s Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund. The investment earnings from this Endowment will be used to support cancer and wellness offerings for men at the Wheatlake Center. “From my perspective, the John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund is uniquely positioned to provide men a place where they can go to get information and support for probably the most tense and
Making it official are (front left to right) MCMC Foundation Chair Dave Borth, Susan Hall, Fred Hall, Gabe Hall, Susan Wheatlake and MCMC Foundation Executive Director Tom Hogenson, (back left to right) Bret Wheatlake, Sean Hall, Rick Hall, Max Brims, Shannon Hall Brims, Rylee Brims and Drew Wheatlake.
frightful time in their lives,” stated Fred Hall, one of the Endowment founders. Mr. Hall continued “Women already have a great resource to assist them with their cancer prognosis. Men do not. This Endowment will help fill that void.”
The Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center at Mecosta County Medical Center helps women, men, children, families and caregivers in our
In Memoriam
region who are affected by a cancer diagnosis. Visitors to the Wheatlake Center have access to its lending library and Wellness Boutique as well as other cancer and wellness services. The generosity of individuals and businesses has helped to ensure that the materials and support provided to patients and their families are current and meet their needs for information and assistance as they battle their disease. “We are grateful to have this new source of assistance for cancer patients with specific focus on the needs of men in our community,” commented MCMC Foundation Executive Director Tom Hogenson. “The outreach of
The Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation expresses its deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Leland Hickox, a retired physician who served the medical needs of the area for many years, beginning in the era of house calls and home deliveries. During his tenure, he saved countless lives, held many hands in times of distress and was dedicated to the compassionate pursuit of medical excellence. Dr. Hickox was honored in 2007 by the MCMC Foundation with a Northern Lights Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Services and Health.
the Wheatlake Center has actively supported women’s cancer and wellness services. It is encouraging to now have a Fund that addresses the cancer and wellness needs of men.” For more information regarding this Endowment, please contact Debra Jacks at 592.4327 or djacksd@mcmcbr.com.
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