2013 Spring Focus

Ridgeview Foundation's 2013 Spring Focus Newsletter

Grateful Patient Story: Jac Botes I remember Jac’s hands. They were amazing. From the moment we met, I felt the strength and comfort of his “everything-is-OK” hands, thinking they would guarantee a lifetime together of love, understanding and hope. But it was Jac who needed comfort and caring in the end. I’m a registered nurse and was optimistic to help him through it all—until I knew I needed the extra help. That’s when I turned to Ridgeview Home Health Services. Jac worked on the South African Railways and fought in the bush for the South African Commandos. He moved to Minnesota in the early 1980s and—though we met later in life—I believe it was destiny. We traveled to South Africa together after we were married. It was there where I fully realized he was not only a loving father, grandfather, uncle, brother and dear friend to many, he was my everything. When Jac’s health slowly and steadily spiraled downward with no diagnosis in sight, it was wonderful to have resources in our own backyard when we needed them. From nurses and bath aides to therapists and volunteers, the staff was lifesaving to me and I believe uplifting for Jac. They also became my reality check. When Home Health alone wasn’t enough for Jac, the same caring staff recommended the transition to Ridgeview Hospice. It was seamless. We retained the same heartwarming staff we had come to know and love, which really was the greatest gift of all. For me, hospice meant big things, from medical expertise to emotional support. It meant little things too, from typing a family call list to getting a fountain Coke for Jac. Everyone went above and beyond what I’ve ever seen in my field of work. I’ll never forget it. Jac lovingly took care of me. I’m grateful to Ridgeview for taking care of him – and me – when we needed it most. Jac’s “everythingis-OK” hands became frail and weak in the end, but the comfort of Ridgeview Hospice gave us new strength and peace. I’ll always remember Jac for our wonderful life together and the music and humor he loved so much. And I’ll thank Ridgeview’s special hospice staff. In honor of Jac, Sandra L. Botes Spring 2013 Board of Directors Nancy Bach, Wayzata Brian Beniek, Mound Jean Buller, Chair, Chaska Dermot Cowley, Secretary, Watertown Stacy Desai, Eden Prairie Tim Foster, Wayzata Katherine Forrester, Excelsior Fred Green, Edina Katherine Hackett, MD, Excelsior Darla Holmgren, Finance Chair, Waconia Greg Kummer, Norwood Young America Laura Lanz, Waconia Jeff Laurel, Cross Lake Jim Leonard, Chaska Brian Mark, Excelsior Linda Roebke, Waconia Kate Roehl, Maple Plain Daniel Ross, DDS, Chaska Randy Schneewind, Waconia Charles Spevacek,Vice Chair, Shorewood Mark Steingas, Excelsior Larry Wilhelm, Excelsior David Windschitl, Chanhassen Dear Friends, I am happy to assume the role of the new Ridgeview Foundation Board chair and am proud of and humbed by the support our donors show to Ridgeview Medical Center. As one of our valued partners, you belong to a group of people committed to high-quality medical care in our region. Our community continues to grow and change; therefore, the demands placed on Ridgeview will grow and change along with it. To meet those needs, we must continue to raise funds for expansion of services and new technology for now and into the future. I am excited to help lead the Foundation effort over the next few years and look forward to working with you, my fellow donors, friends, and volunteers, on helping Ridgeview Foundation and Ridgeview Medical Center continue to grow. In this issue of Focus, you will read about our partnership with Hope Chest for Breast Cancer®, an amazing program helping meet the needs of Ridgeview breast cancer patients. Also in this issue is our grateful patient and grateful family story about Jac Botes. In addition, we have stories about the Ridgeview Friends & Family “Come Together,” a preview of our Golf & Taste Celebration, new Foundation board members and more. I hope you enjoy this issue. Sincerely, Jean Buller Chair, Ridgeview Foundation Board Jim Leonard As co-founder of Elastomeric Roof Systems, Inc. and Prairie Technologies, Inc., and founding president of Reflective Roof Coatings Insititute (RRCI), Jim has 30 years experience in development and marketing sustainable and renewable building technologies. He and his wife Kay live in Chaska and have five grown children. Katherine Forrester With 15 years experience as a wealth management advisor, Katherine’s expertise lies in financial and retirement planning, and trust services. She is a national motivational speaker who shares advice about personal finances on FOX 9 (KMSP-TV.) She lives in Excelsior with husband Jeff and son Remington. Katherine Forrester Ex-Officio Robert Stevens, President and CEO, Ridgeview Medical Center Doug Stasek, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Philanthropy Jim Leonard 2013 Donor Dinner Ridgeview Foundation honored members of The Founder’s Society and Legacy Society at BayView Event Center at the spring donor dinner. Guests enjoyed the company of other donors and heard from Ridgeview President and CEO Robert Stevens on the exciting things planned for Ridgeview this year. Ridgeview is pleased to have such wonderful partners as part of our Founder’s Society and Legacy Society. For more information on Founder’s Society and Legacy Society, please contact Ridgeview Foundation at 952-442-6010 or e-mail foundation@ridgeviewmedical.org. 2 F O U N D AT I O N F O C U S Bringing ‘Hope’ to breast cancer patients For the fourth year in a row, Ridgeview Medical Center has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer® Foundation and $5,000 in matching funds to provide emergency financial assistance to women facing financial challenges during treatment for breast cancer at Ridgeview Medical Center. Angel Fund Ridgeview patients have access to emergency financial assistance through “It has been a very difficult time for me Angel Foundation, which is managed by these past seven months. Diagnosis, Minnesota Oncology Hematology, P.A. This surgery, chemotherapy and radiation have nonprofit group works to fill the unmet needs been hard on me. Your gifts have allowed of adult cancer patients and their families. “This grant provides an opportunity for me to focus on getting better and not on The organization offers emergency financial Ridgeview to extend additional care and working so much just to pay the bills, and assistance for basic, nonmedical needs and compassion to its breast cancer patients, education and support through its Facing for that I’m extremely grateful.” hopefully alleviating some of the daily stress – Breast cancer patient from Chaska, MN Cancer Together (FaCT) program. For more while an individual is navigating through a information, call Ridgeview Social Services at health crisis,” explains Lisa Hurt, director, (952) 442-2191, ext. 6191. Home Care & Hospice, Oncology Service Line Pay It Forward Fund Ridgeview patients have access to financial Leader. For information about how to apply for assistance through the Pay it Forward Fund, assistance, please contact the Breast A patient’s journey with breast cancer is a nonprofit organization that helps patients Care Nurse at 952-442-2191, ext. 5673 or difficult, not just from the disease, but from life pay their bills while they undergo treatment Ridgeview Social Services at 952-442-2191, itself. For breast cancer patients, the financial for breast and women’s cancers. This fund ext. 6194. and emotional hardship affects the entire pays essential living expenses so that patients family. Many times, a two-income household can focus on what’s really important—getting For inquiries on how you can support the becomes one, making daily living expenses well. One-hundred percent of this program’s Hope Chest for Breast Cancer® Emergency a burden. Ridgeview’s Hope Chest for Breast proceeds are used to assist women in need. Assistance Fund at Ridgeview Foundation, Cancer® Emergency Assistance Fund has please contact the Foundation office at 952-442-6010. provided financial support to close to 70 women through assistance with rent, mortgage payments, utilities, transportation and other necessary non-medical living expenses. www.hopechest.us 2013 Ridgeview Friends & Family “Come Together”—A successful community event! More than 500 people attended the 9th Annual Ridgeview Friends & Family “Come Together” on Saturday, March 23. Hosted by Safari Island Community Center in Waconia, “Come Together” was designed by Ridgeview Foundation’s Friends & Family Committee to promote the health, wellness and safety of people in the service area of Ridgeview Medical Center and Clinics. The event featured exhibitors and activities, with performances by the Waconia Lakettes and Laketown Gym. Attendees gained knowledge on nutritional wellness, teen-age relationships, fire safety, emergency preparedness, eye care, first aid and CPR, identity theft and personal safety, mental health, research studies, bullying, substance abuse, senior services, breast health and many more important topics. Complimentary blood pressure readings and chair massages were provided. Children learned the importance of physical activity in the Youth in Motion Center, which included a warm-up and cool-down area, and an obstacle course led by Ridgeview Rehab Specialties. Memorial Blood Centers conducted blood-typing and an on-site blood drive for the fifth year. With the blood donated,12 lives can be saved! Combined, our blood drives from the last four years have impacted 144 people with life-saving blood. In keeping with Ridgeview Medical Center’s mission to enhance the health of the communities it serves, participants from around the county helped promote Ridgeview’s mission to educate, motivate and inspire people to strive for complete health and wellness. “Come Together” was an educational and entertaining event for community members and their families. Thank you for your commitment to health care and to health education! CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY 3 Golf & Taste event to benefit Innovation for Generations campaign For 27 years, Ridgeview Foundation’s Golf & Taste Celebration has been a summer highlight for the Ridgeview region. Hundreds of golfers, community leaders, volunteers and generous supporters come together for a fun-filled day in support of excellence in health care. The community is invited to join the party with a fabulous tasting of cuisine and beverages from the region’s finest restaurants and establishments. The day culminates with a fun silent auction, buffet dinner, live music and action-packed live auction. Last year’s Golf & Taste Celebration raised more than $1 million for the Innovation for Generations campaign. For the second year in a row, the Ridgeview Golf & Taste Celebration has been ranked as the “Number 1” charity golf tournament by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. The ranking is based on gross revenue for events in 2012 and 2011. Proceeds from this year’s event will again be used to support our Innovation for Generations campaign. Ridgeview Foundation has embarked on a fundraising campaign to help Ridgeview Medical Center fund new initiatives and expand and improve facilities to maintain Ridgeview’s legacy of outstanding patient care. The Innovation for Generations campaign will help renovate Ridgeview’s nearly 50-year-old medical/surgical wing and help aid in the expansion of critical services at Ridgeview Medical Center. From “kids to cancer” and from the “very oldest to the very youngest,” the 1963 wing is one of the most important and utilized spaces in the facility. New patient rooms will be designed to serve as “universal rooms”—allowing tremendous flexibility for the hospital as they will have similar layouts and equipment, yet offer unique features to meet individual patient needs. With the changing face of health care, Innovation for Generations is the greatest opportunity to adapt at minimal expense. We ask that you partner with the “Number 1” golf charity event! By becoming a sponsor, playing Bridge or Bunco, volunteering or enjoying the Taste Celebration. Plan to join us at Golf & Taste and support Innovation for Generations at Ridgeview! For more information, to purchase raffle tickets or become a From the Heart sponsor, please visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org. Classes, events and ways to get involved Bariatric Support Group Anyone who has had or is considering bariatric surgery is welcome to attend. Visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/bariatric to learn more. This group meets the first Tuesday and the third Monday of the month from 6–7 p.m. • Tuesday, June 4 • Monday, June 17 • Two Twelve Medical Center, Suite 300 111 Hundertmark Road, Chaska For more information, call 952-442-7820. Save the Date Grief Support Group The Grief Support Group is for those experiencing grief or anticipating a loss of someone they care about. Sessions are held from 7–8:30 p.m.: • Monday, June 10 • Monday, June 24 • Ridgeview Medical Center Conference Rooms A & B 500 S. Maple Street, Waconia For more information, call 952-442-2191, ext. 6190. Plan now to attend our 11th Annual “Achieving a Healthy Balance” women’s seminar at Oak Ridge Convention Center in Chaska, Saturday, November 2. Once again Ridgeview will host an exciting day planned to educate, inspire and entertain more than 200 attendees. More information will be provided in the coming months. For more information, please call 952-442-6010 or e-mail foundation@ridgeviewmedical.org. 490 S. Maple Street, Suite 110 • Waconia, MN 55387 www.ridgeviewfoundation.org • 952-442-6010