Summer 2009 Doug Scholla (center) admits he tears up when he thinks of his experience at Ridgeview, not because of what he faced, but because of the care from “unsung heros” like hospitalist Dr. Kevin White (far right) and nurses Michelle Kuske and Steve Bussler (from left).
Grateful Patient: Doug Scholla “We live in a community of unsung heroes. They do amazing things everyday at Ridgeview.” –Doug Scholla There I was, lying on a table in the ER, my heart racing, machines beeping wildly, and doctors and nurses bustling around me. I looked up at the bright light in disbelief that this was actually happening. How could a guy who had a routine hip replacement a few years ago end up in the ER fighting for his life? I shopped around when I learned I needed a hip replacement, but respected doctors directed me right back to Ridgeview Medical Center. They said Ridgeview has some of the best orthopedic doctors around. Little did I know at that point how much I would come to value the proximity and compassionate care from Ridgeview—because that was only the beginning of an unexpected health care journey. My hip replacement was a success; that’s the good news. But two years later, I was back again with unimaginable pain in my hips and a severe fever, indicating a serious infection. I underwent surgery to replace a mysterious infection of some of the hip parts. The journey didn’t end here though; it was just getting started. Several weeks later, I still felt horrible and my family was getting worried! Thank goodness Ridgeview Home Health Services could help. I get choked up when I think of my nurse, Michelle [Kuske]. She was an angel. She monitored my progress with such care. I was suffering
from weight loss, low blood pressure, dehydration and other complications. One day, I collapsed right into her arms. Soon after, I ended up on the table in the ER. The ER staff battled to control my heart beat and brought in Ridgeview Heart Center cardiologist Dr. Sharkey. Thankfully, I stabilized and ended up in the Cardiac/Intensive Care Unit. I went from a fluttering heart to a flurry of tests. No one knew what was wrong with me! This was an extreme low point for me. My frantic wife, extended family and friends wondered what other options were out there. But I confidently argued that we needed to stick with Ridgeview because of the staff’s proven commitment to find answers. Dr. White, a Ridgeview hospitalist, helped us turn the corner. He sought advice from Dr. Schrock of Infectious Diseases Minneapolis, who altered treatment and put me on a course that gained traction. I felt better the next day. No doubt the teamwork was key. I got through my health crisis thanks to the exceptional care and staff at Ridgeview. I don’t know if we’ll ever know for sure what caused the infection—possibly an infected tooth. All I know is that I made it and wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else but Ridgeview.
Board of Directors
Dear Friends,
David Adinolfi, Eden Prairie
This has been an exciting time for Ridgeview Foundation. Many wonderful events have taken place since our last edition of Foundation Focus! In this issue, you’ll find updates and photos from our June Golf & Taste Celebration, Ridgeview’s new Birthing Center Open House, our recent dinner to honor our Founder’s and Legacy society donors, and the awarding of scholarships to regional high school students.
Jean Buller, Chaska David DuToit, Chaska Laura Flemal, Watertown Tim Foster, Eden Prairie Mary Frederick, Excelsior Shawn Greseth, Waconia Michael Gresser, Eden Prairie Katherine Hackett, MD, Excelsior
As Tim Foster, our Founder’s Society co-chair declared at our Golf & Taste Celebration, “The recession is over.” We agree—Ridgeview has continued to fundraise in earnest during these curious economic times and as the need for philanthropy continues. So many of you have continued to support us through these difficult times—thank you for your important support!
Kelly Yetzer Kohls, Victoria Brian Mark, Excelsior Peter Nelson, Waconia Dave Philp, Waconia Keith Rachey, Waconia
Our Board has recently put the finishing touches on a development plan that will lead Ridgeview Foundation through the next three years. It outlines the ways we will reach wide across the west-metro community in an effort to attract even more support for Ridgeview. We are excited about the Plan and will share more detail in our fall Foundation Focus newsletter.
Linda Roebke, Waconia Kate Roehl, Chair, Maple Plain Bob Roepke, Chaska Mark Schiffman, Waconia Randy Schneewind, Waconia
Please join us to celebrate the opening of Ridgeview’s newest addition—the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home. Save the date of Sept. 17 to join us for an open house and the opportunity to tour this remarkable new hospice residence. Sincerely,
Mark Steingas, Excelsior Larry Wilhelm, Excelsior
Ex-Officio Robert Stevens, President and CEO, Ridgeview Medical Center Doug Stasek,
Kate Roehl, Chair P.S. Mark your calendar for the evening of Saturday, Sept. 26, to come to the new STAR WEST CHEVROLET-HONDA SPORTS, INC. in Delano for “Ridgeview Goes Back to the ’50s!” The evening promises to be a fabulous party in support of a great cause!
Vice President, Ridgeview Foundation Laurel Hardgrove, Director, Ridgeview Foundation
Ridgeview Goes Back to the ’50s Saturday, Sept. 26
Excitement Overflowing With Opening of New Birthing Center Amazing. Beautiful. Impressive. That’s how many of the 1,100 people described Ridgeview’s Birthing Center after attending its grand opening on June 25. The crowd that gathered at the third floor of the hospital— including many expectant mothers, children who had been born in the former OB Unit at Ridgeview and other community members— illustrated the outpouring of support for Ridgeview’s newest addition. The new Birthing Center was made possible due to the support of community members, donors, volunteers, and Ridgeview’s employees and medical staff. Fourteen special events were held to raise funds. Donors from 23 communities contributed more than $10,000 each, and Ridgeview Friends & Family annual giving club raised $300,000. In total, people from 120 total communities contributed to support this new Birthing Center and expansion of services.
The word from the bird . . . Ridgeview goes “Back to the ’50s” at STAR WEST CHEVROLET-HONDA SPORTS, INC. with entertainment from The Whitesidewalls® Join us for an evening with great food and great people in support of Ridgeview’s new Hospice Home. For tickets or more information, visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org or call Ridgeview Foundation at (952) 442-6010.
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TRANSFORMING LIVES
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Scholarship Program Encourages New Health Care Workers in the Community
24th Annual Golf & Taste Celebration Ridgeview Foundation is pleased to share results of its 24th Annual Golf & Taste Celebration. Ridgeview’s premier fundraising event raised an amazing $385,000 for the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home in Chaska! Over 500 community members attended this day of celebration. One of the highlights is always the raffle. This year, Nancy Weckman from Belle Plaine won a dream vacation for two to Hawaii. Other highlights included the afternoon Bridge Tournament, the live and silent auctions, and the Taste of the Ridgeview Region, featuring fine foods from several area restaurants.
The importance of Ridgeview’s Scholarship Program was once again illustrated to Linda Roebke, Ridgeview Foundation Board member and Scholarship Committee member. Linda recently received care from an RN who was among the first group of Ridgeview Scholarship recipients seven years ago, and who expressed gratitude for the scholarship. More than 90 students have been awarded scholarships since the program’s inception. Ridgeview becomes an educational resource for many winners, as recipients frequently participate in job shadows offered by the Medical Center during their college careers. In 2009, Ridgeview Friends & Family, Ridgeview’s largest giving club, adopted this important program and will now fund the scholarships through annual donations from community members and Ridgeview employees. If you would like to learn more about the scholarship program and its eligibility requirements, please contact Kelly Schiffman at (952) 442-2191, ext. 6373. Applications for the 2010 scholarship will be available in February.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all the countless volunteers and business and community members who work together to support this premier fundraiser. A special thanks goes to Mega Sponsor CorVal Group, Inc., and Master Sponsor Medallion Cabinetry. Thank you all for making this day another resounding success!
Area Students Share Their Passion for Music Megan Hauser has been a volunteer at Ridgeview Medical Center since she was a freshman in high school and now as a senior, she and her friend Ellen Forst have found a unique way to continue giving back to the community and share their passion for music. “We both have a special interest in music. We love to sing and play the piano and want to share our love of music with the community by raising money to purchase a piano for the hospital,” says Megan.
Physician Support Appreciated
Megan and Ellen started planning last winter and so far have raised nearly $1,000. The piano they have selected will cost about $4,000. They are working with an area gentleman who has helped them acquire special pricing for a quality piano.
The Foundation is most grateful to the many physicians who participated in Ridgeview’s Golf & Taste Celebration or showed their support financially. Fifty-five physicians and 12 physician practices attended and supported this year’s event. Ridgeview Foundation celebrates and thanks our physicians for their extraordinary support and partnership!
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Standing left to right: Keith Diers, Howard Lake; Elizabeth Reinert, Watertown; Joshua Phipps, Belle Plaine; Linda Roebke, Ridgeview Foundation Board member and Scholarship Committee chair; Riika Quernemoen, Lester Prairie; and Emily Halvorson, Waconia. Seated, left to right: Brittany Heller, Winsted; Ashley Luehrs, Glencoe; and Hannah Hoffman, Chaska. (Not pictured: Brett Pexa, NYA; and Lee Johnson, Delano.)
If you are interested in contributing to this special project, please contact Megan at piano_for_ridgeview@hotmail.com. Checks can be made out and sent to: CHS National Honor Society-Piano Project, 11550 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN 55397. Ridgeview Foundation applauds Megan and Ellen’s volunteerism! Ellen Forst (left) and Megan Hauser will be seniors this fall. Ellen will be attending Perpich Fine Arts High School in Golden Valley and Megan will be going to Central High School in Norwood Young America.
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Tim and Terri Foster Leaving a Legacy
“A Picnic by the Lake” Founder’s Society and Legacy Society Donor Recognition Event Ridgeview Foundation recently honored its most generous donors at a dinner held at BayView Event Center in Excelsior. Ridgeview’s Founder’s Society recognizes donors of $10,000 or more, and the Legacy Society recognizes donors who choose to make a planned gift in their will or estate plan to benefit the hospital. Donors heard Grateful Patient stories from Willie Vetsch, Ridgeview Heart Center’s first cardiac stent recipient; breast cancer survivor Jane Veitch; and Grateful Patient Senator Gen Olson. Senator Olson spoke highly about her knee replacements from Ridgeview’s Orthopaedics Program and also her experience in the Ridgeview Steiner Sleep Disorders Center. She went on to share why she has chosen to “Leave a Legacy” to Ridgeview Medical Center. Bob Stevens, Ridgeview Medical Center president and CEO, and Doug Stasek, vice president–Ridgeview Foundation, expressed thanks to Shawn and Lorie Greseth and Merrill Lynch for sponsoring the event.
Grateful Patient guest speaker and Legacy Society donor Senator Gen Olson and Ridgeview CEO Bob Stevens.
Ridgeview’s CRNA team, top, from left: Kris Heimbuch and Kristi Widseth. Bottom, from left: Greg Marchetti, Jeannine Beasley, Linda Honstad, Mark Riese, Jeff Martin and Cindy Brick. Not pictured: CJ Arlien, Verona Bussler, Gary Comfort, Deb Drew, Laura Herrmann and Tina Kirsch.
“What I do in my business and admire about Ridgeview—we’re helping good people,” Tim says. “Ridgeview is a unique place. There’s excitement and energy. Amazing doctors choose to practice here because of the good community feeling and good people they serve.” Tim and Terri have made Ridgeview part of their philanthropic mix by donating in many ways, including four paid-up life insurance policies of significant value. Tim says it’s not work, that’s why it’s fun. He says planned gifts are an interesting way for people to turbo charge their giving. As Tim says, “If you’re going to have goals in life, philanthropy is a good one to have.”
Terri and Tim Foster, Legacy Society donors.
The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are a group of Ridgeview employees to be commended. Each year since 2005, all full- and part-time CRNAs have participated in the Employee Giving Program, with gifts to the Foundation. In addition, a few of the employees are Founder’s Society members and through their combined giving sponsored the kitchenette in the new Birthing Center. “Ridgeview is a great place to work, and it is a joy watching our funds turn into amazing additions and improvements for the organization. From the sparkling new Center for Women & Children to the cafeteria renovation and the new Heart Center—all of these improvements have made Ridgeview a desirable place to work and are utilized for our own health care needs.” –Jeff Martin, Lead CRNA We recognize the CRNA team with deep gratitude for their continuous support of Ridgeview Foundation. It is an incredible show of team support when an entire department commits to a common goal such as the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home, which is the 2009 initiative for the Ridgeview Friends & Family Employee Campaign. Such dedicated efforts are a result of caring and compassion.
From left: Dr. Larissa DeBoer, Ann Hoffman and Ridgeview Medical Center Board Chair Norm Hoffman, and Dr. David Larson.
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Tim is an avid outdoorsman, a proud grandpa, a thoughtful husband and loving father. It’s no surprise his heart is as big as life itself. He says, “It’s never a mistake to help too much. You get it all back.” His wife, Terri, has devoted her time and passion to family, church and school. It’s safe to say the Fosters gravitate toward “good people doing good things.”
100 Percent of Ridgeview CRNAs Give to the Foundation
Pictured, from top: Shawn and Lorie Greseth, Founder’s Society sponsors of the “Picnic by the Lake” event.
From left: Jan Held, Grateful Patient guest speaker Jane Veitch, Ridgeview Foundation Board Chair Kate Roehl and Laurel Hardgrove.
“If you have passion, work hard, and like to motivate and educate,” says Tim Foster, “you have a heck of a formula for life.” These are the principles on which this married couple of 42 years raised their four children. It’s the foundation of Tim’s successful Minneapolisbased insurance and investments firm, Foster Klima & Co. And it’s what Tim brings to the table as a Ridgeview Foundation Board member and Founder’s Society co-chair.
From left: Pat and Dr. Bob Ahrens, and Ridgeview Foundation Board Members Jean Buller and Mary Frederick.
From left: Paul Steiner, Dr. Laurie Drill-Mellum and Sheila Steiner.
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125 W. Main Street • Waconia, MN 55387 www.ridgeviewfoundation.org • (952) 442-6010
Classes, Events & Ways to Get Involved My Hand Hurts, What Should I Do? Learn about common causes and treatment for aches and pains of the wrist and hand and prevention strategies by utilizing proper ergonomics, joint protection and activity modification. Presentations by David Haugland, MD, Lakeview Clinic; Roberta Erickson, OT, CHT; and Dana Cox, MS, OT, Ridgeview Rehab Specialties. Tuesday, Sept. 22 • 6:30–8 p.m. Men’s Health Night You are invited to learn about men’s unique health issues and ask questions to a series of six specialty providers. Please bring your spouse or significant other to learn how to improve your health. Tuesday, Sept. 29 • 6:30–9 p.m. ( A light dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m.) Pancreatic Cancer Update Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, but hard to detect early. Join Gail Bender, MD, Oncology/ Hematology, Ridgeview Specialty Clinic, and Megan Hanson, MS, genetic counselor, to discuss risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Tuesday, Oct. 6 • 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home Open House You are invited to attend a public housewarming event to tour this new facility, which is the first of its kind in the west-metro area. Thursday, Sept. 17 • 6–8 p.m. Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home • 9120 Shady Oak Drive, Chaska Ridgeview Goes “Back to the ’50s” Mark your calendar for an evening of fun with The Whitesidewalls® , in support of a great cause. Saturday, Sept. 26 • 5:30–10 p.m. 7th Annual Achieving a Healthy Balance Seminar This incredible day-long retreat, sponsored by Ridgeview Foundation, is designed to help women renew and strengthen their physical and emotional well-being. Saturday, Nov. 7 • 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. BayView Event Center • 687 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior For more information, visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org or call Ridgeview Foundation at (952) 442-6010.
Each of these three free events will be held at the Ridgeview Community Auditorium. To register, go to www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events or call (952) 442-8084.
Meet Your Health Match! ®
Meet your health match 2009 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.
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