Spring 2010
Grateful Patient: John Swanson While a PGA Championship was under way, one spectator was fighting for his life. Thanks to Ridgeview’s David Larson, MD, and its emergency staff, family man John Swanson (left) is enjoying his second chance at life.
–John Swanson shares his story In 2009, while Y.E. Yang and other PGA Championship contenders were fighting for the leader board at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, I surprisingly faced a challenge of my own—an out-of-control heartbeat, not sure whether to hold on or let go. I collapsed on a walkway near the first fairway. My colleagues said I looked lifeless. I don’t remember much except for the bright sun in my face. Dr. Larson, a Ridgeview emergency physician who was on site, however, vividly remembers everything. From quickly stabilizing me at the scene to providing attentive care in the ambulance, he said he was pulling for me. He was grateful my pulse didn’t stop—relieved I had been at the right place at the right time, for sure.
words couldn’t have meant more. The handshake with Dr. Larson meant everything. My stay at Ridgeview’s Cardiac/Intensive Care Unit left a lasting impression: amazing emergency staff, life-saving technology and compassionate support staff so focused on me. I was eventually transported to Abbott Northwestern Hospital for further tests. Turns out my heart has a rhythm issue. I underwent surgery for a defibrillator implant to keep my heartbeat on track. Since that haunting day at the PGA Championship, I’ve celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary, sent my daughter off to college and visited the man who saved my life. Dr. Larson and I shared some heartfelt moments and solidified a connection. He’s a friend for life.
And he was right. I wasn’t supposed to be at the PGA that day. If it hadn’t been for a ticket mix-up, I would have been at the wrong place at the wrong time: in a hotel room working alone on a business presentation.
Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for anyone. My family and I are grateful it wasn’t my time—but even more grateful I had immediate access to highly trained physicians and emergency care. For a resident from Mahtomedi, Minn., nearly 50 miles away from Waconia, the connection couldn’t be stronger.
Thankfully, I made it to Ridgeview Medical Center alive. When I became coherent in the emergency room, I’ll never forget the words from Ridgeview staff as I formally met Dr. Larson: “Let me introduce you to the man who saved your life.” For a man surrounded by a caring family of three children and a wife, those
I encourage you to support one of the most significant community assets in the west metro: Ridgeview saves lives. You never know when you’ll be the patient with a life-threatening situation. Your gift does make a difference.
Board of Directors David Adinolfi, Eden Prairie Jean Buller, Chaska Dermot Cowley, Watertown
Dear Friends, Exciting things are happening at Ridgeview this spring! We hope you can join us for the 25th anniversary of our Golf & Taste Celebration on June 21 in support of the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home. Congrats to Dave Philp for his dedicated leadership of this premier fundraising event for the past 25 years.
Stacy Desai, Eden Prairie Laura Flemal, Watertown Tim Foster, Eden Prairie Mary Frederick, Excelsior
Thanks to your philanthropic support, Ridgeview recently opened its Neonatal Care Unit in collaboration with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. This new facility serves our region’s premature and ill infants, and augments the services offered in our new Birthing Center.
Michael Gresser, Eden Prairie Katherine Hackett, MD, Excelsior Darla Holmgren, Waconia Brian Mark, Excelsior Peter Nelson, Waconia Keith Rachey, Waconia Linda Roebke, Waconia Kate Roehl, Chair, Maple Plain Mark Schiffman, Waconia Randy Schneewind, Waconia
I am also pleased to introduce four new Foundation Board members: Dermot Cowley is a renowned Minneapolis restaurateur and owner of Jake O’Connor’s Public House in Excelsior, O’Donovan’s Irish Pub in Minneapolis and Lola’s Lakehouse in Waconia. This community-minded business owner also serves on the board of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce. Stacy Desai is a managing partner for Equifinality LLC, a boutique consulting firm providing organizational development expertise to service and manufacturing organizations. She previously spent several years as an organizational development manager at St. Jude Medical in St. Paul.
Charles Spevacek, Shorewood Mark Steingas, Excelsior Larry Wilhelm, Excelsior
Ex-Officio Robert Stevens, President and CEO,
Darla Holmgren is president of KleinBank’s west market, which includes locations in Waconia, St. Bonifacius, Cologne and Norwood Young America. Darla has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Charles Spevacek is senior partner at Meagher & Geer, PLLP, in Minneapolis. A respected attorney in the industry, Chuck has more than 30 years of experience litigating complex commercial cases.
Ridgeview Medical Center Doug Stasek, Vice President, Ridgeview Foundation Laurel Hardgrove, Director, Ridgeview Foundation
What an extraordinary group of individuals who have joined our Board! Please extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues! I’d also like to take this opportunity to tell you about Ridgeview Foundation’s inspiring new partnership with the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer®. With a generous grant of $10,000, the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Emergency Patient Assistance Fund has been created. The fund will provide emergency assistance for underserved women touched by breast cancer. The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer has also challenged us with a $5,000 matching grant—please consider making a gift to help us attract this additional $5,000 in funding. Although we are all celebrating the arrival of spring, please “Save the Date” for our fall event at the new Hazeltine Clubhouse. Join us Saturday, Nov. 20, for a fun-filled Harvest Party and Live Auction. More information will follow in the coming months.
, -Stenzel, MD Ellen Bendel l Care h the Neonata it w h it w d re oen, pictu t, Jamison H en ti a p t rs fi Unit’s er, Michelle. and his moth
We are so grateful for your support! Many thanks to each and every one of you who support Ridgeview Foundation through your thoughtful giving. Kate Roehl, Chair
2
Physicians, pati ents and Found ation Board members joined Ridgeview staff at the ribbon-cut ting for the new Neonatal Care Unit on Jan. 7, 2010.
25th Anniversary Golf & Taste Celebration A Special Anniversary, A Special Cause, A Special Time
Dave Philp Leads Golf Event into Its 25th Year Maybe it was the Benedictine values he gained as a college student at St. John’s University, active parents who led by example or the big heart he was born with. Whatever the reason, Dave Philp has helped raise money, forge friendships, and build awareness for Ridgeview Foundation and its mission for 25 years. That’s reason to celebrate. The annual Ridgeview Golf & Taste event is celebrating its silver anniversary this summer. It’s a milestone worth pausing for—to thank the countless volunteers who make it happen and applaud one man for his extraordinary heart and passion. Philp, a long-time Waconia resident and 25-year co-chair of the event, gained a unique perspective growing up in small town Watertown, Minn. His father was a family doctor, graciously dedicated to his community and the patients he served. Knowing that his dad experienced the “up” of building a community hospital and the “down” of seeing it close, perhaps fueled the do-good attitude that drives Philp and the success of this event. “I thank Ridgeview for letting me be a part of this,” he says. “I do this because it’s the
right thing to do. We have to help protect what Ridgeview stands for—community. It’s a 24 hours a day, seven days a week asset that gives so much and asks for so little.” Notably one of the largest, long-lived fundraising events in the west metro and beyond, Philp doesn’t take an ounce of credit. He says he owes it all to the volunteers. Fellow co-chair Jeff Nelson says Philp is a ring leader—and simply irreplaceable. “It’s a little like expecting to see William Shatner as Captain Kirk; nobody else would be as good,” he chuckles. When the enormous event tent goes up each June, Philp says he wonders where the elephants are! The fun and excitement the event fosters leaves lasting memories for hundreds of participants—who also realize it brings countless benefits to Ridgeview patients, programs and services. “I’ll continue to do this until I’m not making a difference for Ridgeview anymore, or until someone takes my place.” Wishful thinking.
Top from left: Dick Fonger, Dick Birkhardt, Mike Scholl, and Dave Wetterling pictured with Dave Philp, long-time Golf & Taste event co-chair. Bottom from left: Bob Weiss, Candy Nordland, Del Ploen, Dave Philp and Senator Gen Olson.
25th Annual Ridgeview Golf & Taste Celebration Monday, June 21, Island View Golf Club, Waconia For more information about volunteering, participation, sponsorships and more, visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org or call (952) 442-6010. All proceeds this year go to support the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors Mortenson Construction • Corval Group • Quali-Tech • Baker Tilly Dermot & Laura Cowley Family • Jake O’Connor’s Public House Lola’s Lakehouse • O’Donovan’s Irish Pub • Medallion Cabinetry
TRANSFORMING LIVES
3
125 W. Main Street • Waconia, MN 55387 www.ridgeviewfoundation.org • (952) 442-6010
Classes, Events & Ways to Get Involved NEW! Introduction to Weight Loss Surgery
Women’s Health Seminar: Rheumatoid Arthritis
To register for the seminar, call (952) 442-8083 or visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events.
Thursday, May 20 • 6–7:30 p.m. BayView Event Center 687 Excelsior Boulevard, Excelsior
Monday, May 17 • 6:30 p.m. (other dates: July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20) Ridgeview Community Auditorium Ridgeview Medical Center 500 S. Maple Street, Waconia
Ridgeview’s women’s health seminars include gourmet appetizers, educational take-home tools and prize giveaways. Advanced registration and payment of $20 per event is required. To register, visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events or call (952) 442-8083.
Ridgeview Medical Center is pleased to offer this new informational seminar, presented by Abbott Northwestern Bariatric Center and Minneapolis Bariatric surgeons. For questions or more information on weight loss surgery, call (612) 863-7501.
Research scientists estimate rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.5 million Americans. Nosheen Mazhar, MD, Rheumatologist, Ridgeview Specialty Clinic, will discuss causes, symptoms, diagnosis, first-line medications and newer treatments.
A Celebration of Life
Cancer survivors, their families and friends are invited to attend Ridgeview’s annual Celebration of Life event. Wendy Rahn, Ph.D, founder and president of Survivors’ Training, will speak about the importance of exercise for cancer survivorship. To register for this free event, visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events or call (952) 442-8084. Monday, June 14 • 7–8:30 p.m. (Appetizers served at 6:15 p.m.) Ridgeview Community Auditorium Ridgeview Medical Center 500 S. Maple Street, Waconia
Save the Dates Thursday, July 15 Everything You Want to Know About Sex: Before and After Menopause Robert Nordland, MD, Gynecology/Obstetrics, Western OB/GYN Women’s Health Center BayView Event Center, Excelsior Saturday, Nov. 6 8th annual Achieving a Healthy Balance seminar, BayView Event Center, Excelsior Saturday, Nov. 20 Hazeltine Under the Harvest Moon Hazeltine Clubhouse, Chaska 2010 Ridgeview Medical Center If you would like to stop receiving Ridgeview Foundation printed material, please submit an e-mail including your name and address to foundation@ridgeviewmedical.org or call (952) 442-6010.
®
Ridgeview Foundation invites you to the 25th Annual Golf & Taste Celebration on Monday, June 21, at Island View Golf Club in Waconia. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home in Chaska, which opened this past fall. Located on a beautiful three-acre site on the shore of Lake Bavaria, it is 100 percent funded by philanthropy but continues to need support. The event kicks off with a morning golf shotgun at 7:30 a.m. and is followed by a host of other events including afternoon golf, an Afternoon of Bridge and a Bunco Tournament (new this year); the Taste of the Ridgeview Region, featuring hors d’ oeuvres and beverages from some of the area’s finest restaurants, as well as a buffet dinner; silent and live auctions; and an abundance of raffle prizes. For more information, please contact Jan Held at (952) 442-6010, or visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org.