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Campaign for Rice Rehabilitation Center a HUGE Success

September 28, 2016 by Jean Raatz Leave a Comment

The NEW Rice Rehabilitation Center at Rice Memorial Hospital

The new 10,800 square foot Rice Rehabilitation Center brings all programs and services under one roof, providing convenient access for patients, visitors, and providers. It includes a gym for adults and one for children, locker rooms, showers, and a 4-person, variable-depth pool with an adjustable floor for easy access.

Rice Health Foundation’s Restoring Health . . . Restoring Hope capital campaign was a HUGE success. The campaign raised $1.6 million, helping make this project a reality in less than 12 months! Thanks to everyone who made a gift and volunteered their time to provide an incredible space for pediatric services.

Rice Health Foundation hosts Donor Recognition

June 16, 2016 by Editor Leave a Comment

Lara Duininck, Delores Pierce, and Harvey and Delores’s son at the Donor Recognition Dinner. Thank you Pierce Family and Lara for all of your gifts! — Lara Duininck, Delores Pierce, and Harvey and Delores’s son, Jeff, at the Donor Recognition Dinner. Thank you Pierce Family and Lara for all of your gifts!

On May 19th, Rice Health Foundation recognized and thanked 92 donors for their commitment to and support of Rice Memorial Hospital. During the event, the Harvey & Delores Pierce family was presented with the Foundation’s 7th Tradition of Caring Award, in recognition of their generosity to healthcare in our community.

John O’Neill, a graduate of the Cardiac Rehab program, and member of the Tri4evr Triathlon & Running Club, shared his story of going from flat-line to finish-line was truly inspirational!

Trustee and Board Chair, Lara Duininck was recognized for concluding her 9 years of service to Rice Health Foundation. Lynn Johnson, Director of Nursing at Ridgewater College, was introduced as a new Board Trustee, beginning her tenure in June.

Foundation Provides AED to Barn Theater

June 16, 2016 by Editor Leave a Comment

Rice Health Foundation of Rice Memorial Hospital recently purchased an Automated External Difibrillator (AED) for the Barn Theatre. An AED is the only effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and is an easy to operate tool for someone with no medical background. The Foundation teamed up with their downtown neighbor, to make this life-saving equipment available for their many patrons. Rice’s Emergency Services is just down the street, but every second counts when sudden cardiac arrest strikes.

AEDs have been available throughout Kandiyohi County for several years. The Kandiyohi County Defib Coalition has been in place for over 15 years and has distributed over 150 Automatic External Defibrillators in Kandiyohi County and surrounding counties. From the beginning, the Coalition considered requests from locations where AEDs were needed based on ambulance response time and by the population using the location. More than a dozen placed with non-profits and in public locations were made possible with designated funds raised by Rice Health Foundation.

Tommy Rosengren and Zach Liebl taking delivery of the Barn Theatre’s AED, from Rice Health Foundation Executive Director, Shirley Carter.

The Employee Campaign for Pediatric Rehabilitation has hit a homerun

April 20, 2016 by RHFAdmin Leave a Comment

Rice Employees have rallied together and hit their $100,000 goal out of the park, raising to date:

$112,390!

Thank you to all employees, community members, and business owners who have already made gifts.

If you have yet to make a gift, JOIN the TEAM – the GAME is not over. Your gift will help reach the Rice Rehab Campaign goal of $1.5 million. We are currently at $1,352,568 – with less than $150,000 needed to WIN the GAME!

Three year old Granite Falls girl is face of Rice campaign

February 2, 2016 by Rice Health Foundation Leave a Comment

WILLMAR, MN (February 2016) – Three-year-old Addison Doyle of Granite Falls has become quite the celebrity in recent months. Her smiling face has appeared on ads, posters, and other marketing materials for Rice Memorial Hospital’s “Restoring health. Restoring hope.” campaign. The capital campaign aims to raise $1.5 million to help fund the pediatric portion of the new Rice Rehabilitation Center in Willmar.

Addison’s mother, Marci Doyle, said they were asked to participate in a video for the new Rice Rehabilitation Center last summer. Marketing staff were so inspired by little Addison and her infectious smile, they asked for permission to use her still photos on additional campaign materials, as well. Doyle agreed.

“Addison is always so happy, she always has a smile on her face,” she said.

Addison was born with myelomeningocele spina bifida and currently receives specialty pediatric services at Rice Rehabilitation Center. Her treatment plan includes water therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. In order to make her appointments each week, the family must travel to multiple locations.

The new state-of-the-art Rice Rehabilitation Center will bring all services under one roof. It will be located across Trott Avenue from the hospital, and connected via underground tunnel. The facility will include two gyms (one for children and one for adults), locker rooms, showers, and a variable-depth therapy pool.

“One of Addison’s favorite activities is playing in the ball pit,” said Jenny Iverson, Physical Therapist. “We work on gross motor skills, strength, and hand-eye coordination, but Addison just thinks we’re having fun.”

It was that photo of Addison in the ball pit that captured the heart of Rice Marketing Manager, Joy Baker.

“It was a nice, colorful photo that started out as a simple web graphic,” Baker said. “But Addison was so cute with her big smile and her ‘Believe in yourself’ t-shirt, we started using that photo on all our campaign materials.”

Now, Addison’s smiling face has appeared in ads, posters, mailers, web banners, social media posts, and construction site signage.

“Addison loves seeing her picture on that construction sign,” said her dad, Tom. “She really gets a kick out of that.”

In November, Addison and her parents were special guests at Rice Health Foundation’s annual Gala. Just before the start of the live auction, Addison and her parents took the stage where Marci gave a moving speech about the important role Rice Rehabilitation Center has played in Addison’s growth and development.

“Everyone at Rice Rehab goes above and beyond, and you can tell that they thoroughly care about the kids they work with. They kind of feel like family to us, and Addison is very comfortable working one-on-one with them. We truly believe that Addison has made huge strides, and will continue, because of the services offered at Rice Rehab.”

As of mid-January, Rice Health Foundation had raised $1,239,334.39 toward its $1.5 million campaign goal. Back in August, an anonymous local couple agreed to donate a $500,000 matching gift toward the “Restoring health. Restoring hope.” campaign if $500,000 was raised from the community by November 30, 2015. That challenge was met, leapfrogging the campaign to the $1 million mark.

“Now we’re on the final stretch and we really need the community’s support to meet the $1.5 million goal,” said Shirley Carter, Executive Director of the Rice Health Foundation. “This new, state-of-the-art facility strongly supports Rice’s mission to promote the health and well-being of residents in West Central Minnesota.”

Rice Rehabilitation Center opened in 1999 and has grown to offer a variety of outpatient therapy and rehabilitation services, including cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation, cancer rehabilitation, certified hand therapy, driving and wheelchair assessments, ImPACT concussion management, pediatric therapies, swallow evaluations, and strategic orthopedics for headaches, neck, and back pain.

Rice Rehab serves clients from 38 counties in Minnesota, with a primary service area of Kandiyohi, Chippewa, Renville and Swift counties. Other patients hail from Big Stone, Pope, Lac qui Parle, Redwood, Meeker, Stearns, Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties

Rice Memorial Hospital is the largest city-owned hospital in the state of Minnesota. It operates as a self-sustaining entity, receiving no tax revenue from the City of Willmar. Rice Health

Foundation raises philanthropic support for the Rice organization to address community health needs, enhance patient care, and provide health education opportunities. In 2014, Rice Health Foundation provided $1,050,400 to Rice Memorial Hospital for a variety of programs, services, technology, and equipment.

Watch the video…

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DISCO BALL Weekend a HUGE Success

November 19, 2015 by Rice Health Foundation Leave a Comment

Proceeds from the Gala Dinner & Auction and Table Setting Review on November 13 and 14, 2015 exceeded the goal by at least $50,000. Financial information is not yet final, but preliminary reports indicate net proceeds will exceed $250,000.

Shirley Carter, Executive Director of Rice Health Foundation, said as she addressed the Gala crowd “I’m blown away by the numbers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generosity, and for your commitment to pediatric rehabilitation at Rice.”

Three year old Addison Doyle, the cute smiling face behind the “Restoring health. Restoring hope.” campaign attended the Gala with her parents, Marci and Tom Doyle and grandmothers, Vicki Reishus and Pam Doyle. Marci shared some of their family’s journey after learning Addison had been diagnosed with spina bifida. She thanked the therapists at Rice Rehab for their support and commitment in helping Addison get stronger and improve her daily skills.

This year’s “Fund a Need” portion of the Live Auction was earmarked to help build an Outdoor Therapy Park for the new Rice Rehabilitation Center. Physical Therapists’ Jenny Iverson and Nikki Hjelden shared the need for an outdoor therapy space, and how outdoor therapy benefits patients of all ages. All gifts pledged were matched by the Pierce Family Foundation. The goal was to raise $70,000; with the Pierce’s matching donation, the total raised was almost $150,000!

The proceeds from the Gala Dinner & Auction and Table Setting Review events will go toward reaching the $500,000 Matching Gift Challenge made by an anonymous local couple. The successful weekend has put that goal well within reach.

Thank you to all volunteers, businesses and individuals who helped make the 2015 Disco Ball a success!

Anonymous couple offers $500K challenge for Rice Rehab Center

October 12, 2015 by Rice Health Foundation Leave a Comment

By Anne Polta, West Central Tribune — An anonymous local couple is pledging half a million dollars in matching funds toward a capital campaign for the Rice Rehabilitation Center.

If donors collectively give $500,000 toward the Rice Health Foundation’s “Restoring health. Restoring hope.” capital campaign by Nov. 30, the couple has agreed to match the funds in support of the new Rice Rehabilitation Center at Rice Memorial Hospital.

The match will bring the total to $1 million, which is two-thirds of the $1.5 million goal, according to Shirley Carter, executive director of the Rice Health Foundation.

“The matching gift challenge came about when we approached this couple for a gift to help Rice bring all rehabilitation and therapy services under one roof,” Carter said. “They agreed to make this significant contribution and have challenged the community to step forward and help the Rice Health Foundation make this happen.”

Amanda Pehrson with her husband, Erik. — Willmar elementary teacher, Amanda Pehrson, relied on Rice Rehabilitation Center after recovering from a stroke at age 31. She is pictured here with her husband, Erik.

The anonymous couple was inspired by the story of Willmar elementary school teacher Amanda Pehrson, who, in 2011, relied on Rice Rehabilitation Center for assistance in recovering from a stroke at the age of 31. Her stroke resulted in brain swelling that required removal of part of her skull (since replaced) and left her without the ability to speak, read or write.

“It was touch and go for a while,” Pehrson said at a Rice Health Foundation gathering earlier this year. Through two years of significant speech and occupational therapy at Rice, Pehrson was able to redevelop her communication skills.

“It was a very difficult struggle,” Pehrson said, who has since returned to teaching kindergarten. “Now I’m back teaching full time, working with those kids that I love so much.”

Carter said that the anonymous donors see that health care services offered at Rice Memorial Hospital benefit the entire region.

Even though Rice is a city-owned hospital, and the largest city-owned hospital in the state, it does not receive tax revenue from the city of Willmar, Carter said. That’s why philanthropy has an important role in the hospital’s growth and success, she said. “People want to keep health care services local.”

Construction of the new 10,800-square-foot Rice Rehabilitation Center began in September by Marcus Construction of Willmar. The facility is on Trott Avenue, across the street from the hospital and connected by subway tunnel to the hospital complex.

The project began in part to meet the growing regional demand for pediatric and adult rehabilitation services. The new facility will include gymnasium spaces, locker rooms, showers and a variable-depth therapy pool.

As of Oct. 1, Rice Health Foundation has raised $157,500 toward the Nov. 30 matching gift deadline. Proceeds from this year’s “Disco Ball” – the Foundation’s annual gala and auction – will also go toward the matching gift challenge, Carter added.

Rice Rehabilitation Center serves clients from 38 counties in Minnesota, with a primary service area of Kandiyohi, Chippewa, Renville and Swift counties. Other patients hail from Big Stone, Pope, Lac qui Parle, Redwood, Meeker, Stearns, Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties.

The center opened in 1999 and has grown to offer a variety of outpatient therapy and rehabilitation services.

Rice Health Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that raises philanthropic support for the Rice organization to address community health needs, enhance patient care, and provide health education opportunities. In 2014, Rice Health Foundation provided $1,050,400 to Rice Memorial Hospital for a variety of programs, services, technology and equipment.

For more information or to make a donation, visit RiceHealthFoundation.org.

The Campaign for Rice Rehabilitation Center – watch the video!

September 9, 2015 by Rice Health Foundation Leave a Comment

The need is great for a new Rice Rehabilitation Center that will bring all therapies and services under one roof. See how Rice Rehab is “restoring health and restoring hope” for our patients and their families.

Construction begins on new Rice Rehabilitation Center

September 9, 2015 by Rice Health Foundation Leave a Comment

WILLMAR, MN (September 3, 2015) – Construction of Rice Memorial Hospital’s new Rice Rehabilitation Center begins this month, led by Marcus Construction of Willmar. The new state-of-the-art facility will be located where the former Jade Center building stood on Trott Avenue, and will be connected to the hospital via underground tunnel.

Therapists from Rice Rehabilitation Center were on site to witness the demolition of the Jade Center building, and to commemorate the official groundbreaking for the new facility.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Lynn Stier, Director of Rice Rehabilitation Center.

Demand for pediatric and adult rehabilitation services at Rice has grown steadily over the past several years. Pediatric visits have averaged over 6,000 for the past two years, and adult visits nearly 20,000 per year, with a 5.2% increase in 2014. To accommodate this growth, Rice Rehab has expanded its operations several times, and is currently housed in five separate locations.

The new 10,800 square foot facility will bring all programs and services under one roof, providing convenient access for patients, visitors, and providers. It will include two gyms (one for adults and one for children), locker rooms, showers, and a 4-person, variable-depth pool with an adjustable floor for easy access.

Rice Health Foundation recently launched the “Restoring health. Restoring hope.” capital campaign to raise funds for the pediatric portion of the new Rehabilitation Center. The campaign aims to raise $1.5 million, with an immediate goal of raising $500,000 by November 30. If the goal is met, a local couple has agreed to match the funds dollar-for-dollar, bumping them to the $1 million mark.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to support a much-needed project that will have significant regional impact,” said Shirley Carter, Executive Director of Rice Health Foundation.

Currently, Rice Rehabilitation Center serves clients from 38 counties in Minnesota. While its primary service area includes Kandiyohi, Chippewa, Renville, and Swift counties, many patients also come from Big Stone, Pope, Lac qui Parle, Redwood, Meeker, Stearns, Lyon, and Yellow Medicine counties.

“We see some patients from as far away as Duluth or the Twin Cities,” said Stier. “The need is definitely there.”

Outpatient therapy services began at Rice in 1987, with the introduction of a pilot program for cardiovascular health and rehabilitation services. In 1999, Rice Rehabilitation Center opened its doors and expanded to include services for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy.

Today, Rice Rehab has grown to include several specialty therapies, including cancer rehabilitation, certified hand therapy, driving and wheelchair assessments, ImPACT concussion management, pediatric therapies, swallow evaluations, and strategic orthopedics for headaches, neck, and back pain.

Rice Health Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that raises philanthropic support for the Rice organization to address community health needs, enhance patient care, and provide health education opportunities. In 2014, Rice Health Foundation provided $1,050,400 to Rice Memorial Hospital for a variety of programs, services, technology, and equipment. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.RiceHealthFoundation.org.

FRONT: Jean Raatz, Manager, Rice Health Foundation; Wendy Ulferts, Chief Nursing Officer; Lynn Stier, Director, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Ruth Neuman, Support Staff, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Brooke Baeth, Speech Language Pathologist; Rebekah Miesbauer, Occupational Therapist; Kristen Thaden, Speech Language Pathologist. BACK: Lara Duininck, Board Member, Rice Health Foundation; Mike Schramm, CEO, Rice Memorial Hospital; Teri Beyer, CQO, Rice Memorial Hospital; Bill Fenske, CFO, Rice Memorial Hospital; Amy Ellingson, Board Member, Rice Health Foundation. — FRONT: Jean Raatz, Manager, Rice Health Foundation; Wendy Ulferts, Chief Nursing Officer; Lynn Stier, Director, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Ruth Neuman, Support Staff, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Brooke Baeth, Speech Language Pathologist; Rebekah Miesbauer, Occupational Therapist; Kristen Thaden, Speech Language Pathologist.
BACK: Lara Duininck, Board Member, Rice Health Foundation; Mike Schramm, CEO, Rice Memorial Hospital; Teri Beyer, CQO, Rice Memorial Hospital; Bill Fenske, CFO, Rice Memorial Hospital; Amy Ellingson, Board Member, Rice Health Foundation.

IMG_9562_med — LEFT TO RIGHT: Ruth Neuman, Support Staff, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Lynn Stier, Director, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Rebekah Miesbauer, Occupational Therapist; Brooke Baeth, Speech Language Pathologist; Kristen Thaden, Speech Language Pathologist.

IMG_9631_med — LEFT TO RIGHT: Ruth Neuman, Support Staff, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Lynn Stier, Director, Rice Rehabilitation Center; Rebekah Miesbauer, Occupational Therapist; Brooke Baeth, Speech Language Pathologist; Kristen Thaden, Speech Language Pathologist.

2014 Holiday Festival a Resounding Success

November 24, 2014 by Rice Health Foundation Leave a Comment

Rice Health Foundation’s 2014 Holiday Festival was a resounding success! Friday’s Snow & Ice Gala and Saturday’s Luncheon & Table Setting Fair, along with a generous matching grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, helped raise $341,174.50. Proceeds will go to expand the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit to 12 beds and to acquire Telestroke technology at Rice.

View photos from the event…

Gala guests heard KSTP Meteorologist Ken Barlow’s personal story about his journey with bipolar disorder and about the people who help him manage his illness to live a productive life. A delectable meal, silent and live auctions, as well as photo shoots on a sleigh, were enjoyed by all.

During the Luncheon & Table Setting Fair on Saturday, table setters, musicians, vendors, guests, and volunteers braved the weather to enjoy beautiful tablescapes, connect with friends, and begin a festive start at holiday shopping. We are grateful for a strong show of support from everyone.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the success!