FOCUS
Focusing on our Future: Health Care for Kids
Fundraising for Pediatrics
For over a decade, I have had the privilege of being involved with Ridgeview Foundation, an organization deeply committed to ensuring that Ridgeview remains at the forefront of providing exceptional health care to our community. As we continue to grow and expand our services, our focus on strengthening our pediatric services is paramount, ensuring that every child in our community has access to quality health care.
I am personally excited about expanding our pediatric care offerings, which will allow families to stay closer to home during unexpected hospital stays. The recent birth of my grandson has only deepened my conviction and support for this expansion. Born at Ridgeview, my grandson and his mother faced unexpected complications that required a week-long stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. Thanks to the exceptional care he received, he is now surpassing his expected milestones. Our family is extremely grateful that he could receive such high-quality care close to home without the need for transfer to a metro hospital.
For all the children in our community, it is vital that we continue to enhance the quality of care we provide. Our pediatric program, focusing on a newborn hospital rounding model, reflects our unwavering commitment to quality. As we expand, we plan to introduce additional pediatric services, including a limited-stay unit for children with specific diagnoses that opened in August. This will not only reduce the need for them to be transported to metro-area hospitals but also keep families close during critical times. However, this expansion requires ongoing financial support to ensure we have the necessary pediatric specific equipment and technology, such as specialized stethoscopes and nebulizers, as well as specialized staff to meet the unique developmental needs of our young patients. We are deeply grateful for your potential support.
Fundraising is crucial to incorporating and sustaining these services. Your generous contributions will directly impact the lives of children and their families in our community, offering them hope and healing during challenging times while they receive advanced care close to home. By supporting our Cause for the Community campaign, you are helping us create a brighter and healthier future for the next generation.
We are grateful for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of so many children and their families.
Warmest regards,
Carla Struble Ridgeview Foundation Board Chair
Board of Directors
Katie Barnes, Chanhassen
Mike Bauer, Waverly
Dustin Benz, Waconia
Jon Crow, Eden Prairie
Tim Foster, Wayzata
John Hayes, DEI Chair, Chaska
Dr. Bruce Hubbard, Excelsior
Kevin Koemptgen, Finance Chair, Chanhassen
Tiffany Kovaleski, Waconia
Jessica Monarch, Plymouth
Jean Murray, Membership & Nominating Co-Chair, Denver, CO
Allie Newman, Chaska
Tim Samuelson, Membership & Nominating Co-Chair, Minnetrista
Hans Siefker, Minnetrista
Dr. Michael Smith, Tonka Bay
Chuck Spevacek, Minnetrista
Carla Struble, Chair, Chaska
John “JT” Taylor, Chanhassen
Melissa Timm, Cologne
Jennifer Tregarthen, Vice Chair, Waconia
Troy Werk, Secretary, Chanhassen
David Windschitl, Founder’s Society
Chair, Chanhassen
Nikki Vanecek, Mound
Ruth Vortherms, Le Sueur
Ex-Officio
Michael Phelps, President & CEO, Ridgeview Kelly Mulleady, Executive Director, Ridgeview Foundation
Great ideas came out of Ridgeview Foundation Board’s recent strategy and networking session.
Carla with her grandchildren.
A Legacy of Giving
Local entrepreneur Tim Samuelson and his family are deeply impacted by Ridgeview. They give back in many ways, and so can you!
Tim understands the value of accessible, quality health care close to home. He and his family have utilized Ridgeview for a variety of health care services, including cancer treatment and hospice care for Tim’s father-in-law and brother-in-law, orthopedics for his own hip surgery, and Women & Children’s services when his grandchildren were born.
Tim and his wife, Julie, have made it a priority to give back to Ridgeview. “It’s extremely rewarding and important to give back in our community,” Tim shared.
Tim is owner of Promotion Select, a local business that has been a part of our community for 25 years. For the past 15 years, Promotion Select has been a member of our Corporate Partner program.
Tim and Promotion Select take part in all of the major Ridgeview Foundation events. His favorite is attending the annual Golf & Taste Celebration!
Share Your Grateful Patient Story
Generosity in Motion
Giving back looks different for everyone. Read how some community members chose to give back to Ridgeview, and consider including Ridgeview in your end of year giving.
MAJOR GIFT
Kim Kimball donated a gift in honor of her husband who passed away after an unexpected heart incident in 2023. Having worked at Ridgeview Foundation, Kim understands the impact her donation can make on so many here in our community.
PLANNED GIFT
Len Hein and his wife chose Ridgeview Foundation as one beneficiary through planned giving. After Len passed away in 2023, his legacy continues through Ridgeview Foundation, and he continues to make an impact in our community.
COMPANY MATCHING GIFT
Kevin Koemptgen, Chief Operating Officer of Excelsior Benefits, UnitedHealthcare, and Ridgeview Foundation Board of Directors Finance Chair, ensures donations are stretched to the max by utilizing UnitedHealth Group’s employee match. This program matches donations dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 per employee, per year.
FIRST-TIME DONOR
Derek Swedberg of Delano wanted to give back in a fun and meaningful way. Golfing at Ridgeview’s annual golf tournament was the perfect fit and gave him the opportunity to meet other local business and community members – and his team won the morning round!
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Round Up to Make a Difference
Frattalone’s Hardware & Garden in Waconia supported local health care by encouraging customers to round up their purchases to benefit Ridgeview Foundation. More than $2,000 was raised during their round-up campaign that will go toward the purchase of a new rocking chair for Ridgeview’s Pediatric Unit.
Scan to explore more creative ways to partner with the Ridgeview Foundation.
Kevin Koemptgen (far left) at the 2024 Golf & Taste Celebration
Derek Swedberg (center) at the 2024 Golf & Taste Celebration
Kim and Jon Kimball in recent years.
Len Hein
PEDIATRIC INSIGHTS
Dr. Kelly Lemieux: A Journey of Dedication
For nearly 25 years, Dr. Kelly Lemieux has been a cornerstone of the community providing exceptional care to the youngest members of our region as Medical Director and a provider at Wayzata Children’s Clinic. Having been there for 20-plus years, Dr. Lemieux’s journey is one marked by a deep connection to both the community and the health care system she now helps lead.
JOURNEY TO RIDGEVIEW
Her path to Ridgeview to serve as Medical Director of Pediatrics was a blend of professional opportunity and personal commitment. Dr. Lemieux earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota and continued there for her pediatric residency. She and her family reside in Victoria, MN. Her children have been frequent visitors to Ridgeview’s Emergency Departments, further cementing her connection to the community she serves.
“It has been exciting to take on a role that serves our community and improve access to pediatric services –allowing families to have the best possible care for their kids closer to home,” she said.
She emphasizes the privilege of working in an organization where leadership prioritizes children and their families, supported by a strong Foundation and a generous community committed to addressing the unique needs of the pediatric population.
RIGHT-SIZED CARE
Earlier this year, Dr. Lemieux and the pediatric team started seeing newborns after they are born at Ridgeview’s Birthing Center. And now, the Pediatric Limited-Stay Unit, a recent addition to Ridgeview, admits children with common,
low-acuity diagnoses such as bronchiolitis, asthma, influenza, skin infections, pneumonia, croup and urinary tract infections. Dr. Lemieux notes that children are not “little adults,” emphasizing the importance of having medical equipment tailored to the varying stages of a child’s growth and development.
“To provide high-quality and up-to-date care for children, we need equipment that is right-sized for all stages of growth and development. This includes having the tools and resources to also help kids have a good experience – taking care of their emotions and fears as well as their medical needs.”
Despite the many advances, providing pediatric care comes with its own set of challenges. Children are generally healthy and do not require health care resources at the same rate as adults, which often results in limited resources for pediatric care. However, when children do require medical attention, it is crucial that the resources are appropriately tailored to their size and age. Dr. Lemieux and her team have worked tirelessly to make this happen.
“Opening the Pediatric Limited-Stay Unit has been a team effort,” she says, acknowledging the collective work required to bring this vital service to the community.
PHILANTHROPY FOR THE FUTURE
Looking ahead, Dr. Lemieux is optimistic about the future of pediatric care at Ridgeview. With the necessary funding and continued community support, she envisions a bright future where Ridgeview’s pediatric services continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the expanding community.
Donate to Ridgeview Foundation and ensure our youngest patients receive high-quality care close to home.
Under the Harvest Moon
490 S. Maple Street, Suite 110
Waconia, MN 55387
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Have you or a loved one had a great experience at Ridgeview? Did you enjoy attending one of our community events? Has volunteering been meaningful in your life?
Your story matters, because you matter here. Share your experience by emailing angela.hoffman@ridgeviewmedical.org.
