Rice Health Foundation - Willmar, MN

A Tradition of Caring - Rice Memorial Hospital

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DISCO BALL Weekend a HUGE Success

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Disco Ball BallroomProceeds 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

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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.

Construction begins on new Rice Rehabilitation Center

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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.
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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.

RICE REHAB SKETCH_2015-08-24_med

 

 

2014 Holiday Festival a Resounding Success

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DSC_9316Rice 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!

Diabetes Camp Scholarships available

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Rice Health Foundation is pleased to offer four full scholarships to youths with diabetes in the Kandiyohi County area who wish to attend the American Diabetes Association’s Camp Needlepoint and Camp Daypoint, in Hudson, Wisconsin.

These scholarships are made possible with funds from Jeremiah Fostervold Diabetes Endowment which was established by Jeremiah’s family to provide financial help to youth with diabetes, so that they may enjoy the same camp experience as other children their age.

For a camp brochure and information about the four full scholarship opportunities available through Rice Health Foundation, please call Rice Health Foundation at 320-231-4141 to notify us of your intent before July 3rd. For more information about ADA’s Camp Needlepoint and Camp Daypoint, or other Diabetes Camps, call Carol Holten at 1-888-DIABETES, ext. 6596.

Red Hot Happy Hour – Thank you!

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for a heart-healthy girls’ night out on Thursday, February 6. Over 200 women packed the Willmar Holiday Inn and Conference Center for a glass of wine, appetizers, “boothtique” shopping at over 20 vendors, and the opportunity to gain heart-healthy tips from Rice providers about nutrition, exercise, and stress relief.

View the photos…

Boothtiques

  • Beauti Control
  • Bellaforma, Rice Home Medical
  • Bittersweet Autumn
  • Fabulous Finds
  • Fairwinds
  • Glacial Ridge Winery
  • Jacks Coffee, New London
  • Lovely Lashes by Michelle
  • Marge’s Floral
  • Mary Kay
  • Muddy Paw Ceramics
  • Origami Owl
  • Premier Designs
  • ReYou Wellness Program from Rice Memorial Hospital
  • Simply Said
  • Skinluxe MedSpa
  • Sweet William’s Truffles
  • Tastefully Simple Tracy Bjork Woodworks
  • Two Farm Girls
  • Willmar Community Owned Grocery
  • Young Living Essential Oils

This community event celebrates Women’s Health and is sponsored by Rice Memorial Hospital and the Rice Health Foundation. Call 231-4141 for more information.

Thank you!

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Proceeds from the 2013 Holiday Festival exceeded our goal of $140,000.00 and will be used to purchase new technology for improved breast diagnostic services at Rice Memorial Hospital. Your generous financial support, and deep commitment of time and talent, will make a tremendous difference for every single patient who will undergo a breast cancer diagnostic process.

Special thanks to the Pierce Family Foundation for their gift to underwrite this year’s Holiday Festival.

 

VIEW THE PHOTOS!

Gala and Auction

Table Setting Review

 

PRESENTING SPONSORS
$2,000 +

  • Affiliated Community Medical Centers
  • Chappell Central, Inc
  • Family Practice Medical Center
  • J.E. Dunn Construction
  • Lakeland Broadcasting
  • Rice Memorial Hospital Medical Staff
  • Taatjes Financial Group

 

PREMIER SPONSORS
$1,500 – $1.000

  • CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center
  • Duininck, Inc.
  • Family Eye Center
  • Family Surgery Center
  • Home State Bank
  • J.D. Kreps Financial Group, Inc.
  • Janning Ear, Nose & Throat Center, LLC
  • Minnesota Pathologists Chartered
  • Quam Construction Company, Inc.

 

PLATINUM SPONSORS
$1,200 – $1,499

  • Heritage Bank
  • Jennie-O

GOLD SPONSORS
$900 – $1,199

  • Bremer Bank
  • Heartland Orthopedic Specialists
  • Johnson, Moody, Schmidt & Kleinhuizen PA/Attorneys at Law
  • Medica
  • Medline
  • Northern Factory Sales, Inc
  • Perkins + Will
  • University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

SILVER SPONSORS
$600 – $899

  • Bollig, Inc.
  • EideBailly Certified Public Accountants
  • Drs. Anita and Ken Flowe
  • Lake Region Bank
  • Marsh USA Inc.
  • McGladrey LLP
  • Steve and Connie VanDerBill Medin
  • Northern States Supply
  • Oral-Facial Surgery, P.A.
  • Plumbing & Heating of Willmar, Inc.
  • Rambow
  • Dr. Wilson and Barbara Salter
  • Michael and Rayette Schramm
  • Suburban Radiologic Consultants, LTD
  • Turbo Turf

BRONZE SPONSORS
$300 – $599

  • Dr. Douglas W. Allen
  • Allergy & Asthma Specialty Clinic
  • Anderson, Larson, Hanson & Saunders
  • Clayton and Nona Anderson
  • David and Susan Anfinson
  • Bennett Office Technologies
  • Greg Brock Consulting
  • Center for Diagnostic Imaging
  • Century 21 Kandi Realty, Ltd.
  • Concorde Bank
  • Conway, Deuth, & Schmiesing, PLLP
  • Jan and Hans Dahl
  • Bob and Patti Dols
  • Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Duininck
  • Dunham
  • Gardner & White – A Division of
  • Gallagher Benefit Services
  • Insurance by Strehlow
  • Dr. Philip and Florine Iverslie
  • Kandi Roofing Company
  • Kevin Hallstrom DDS
  • Leonard, Street and Deinard
  • Mary and John Lindstrom
  • Loren and Smitty Luschen
  • Dorothy Timm Meili
  • Mercer Health & Benefits LLC
  • Michael R. Gardner, D.D.S.
  • Midwest Urologic Stone Unit
  • MMIC
  • Michael and Emilie Nicklawsky
  • Randall and Mary Jo Patton
  • Jon and Sophie Pederson
  • Piper Jaffray & Co.
  • Steven and Dawn Renquist
  • Ross G. Olness DDS PLLC
  • Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar
  • Cooperative
  • Nathan and Wendy Streed
  • Dr. Jim Michels and Colleen Thompson
  • Michels
  • Dr. Jim and Marilynn Tiede
  • Tree-n-Turf
  • Dr. Kevin and Sandi Unger
  • United FCS
  • Universal Printing / Willmar Speedy Print
  • Eric and Alice Weiberg, Raymond James
  • Financial
  • Wells Fargo Advisors
  • West Central Sanitation
  • West Central Tribune
  • $100 – $299
  • Boline Fenstra Chiropractic
  • Lee and Sandra Duininck
  • Walter and Raeanna Gislason
  • Hansen Advertising, Inc.
  • Hennen Furniture
  • Jean and Todd Geselius
  • Michael and Mary Hodapp
  • Ron and Etta Holmgren
  • James Langmo
  • Lee’s Electric
  • Life Link III
  • Larry and Carol N. Monnens
  • Alvina Munneke
  • Suzanne and Marvin Napgezek
  • Bruce and Mary Schweitzer
  • Steven’s Shutter Shoppe
  • Pastor Mari Thorkelson and Patrick Foley
  • Robert and Joanne Thurston
  • United Prairie Bank

GATSBY COMMITTEE

The Holiday Festival can only go on through the enormous efforts of a fabulous volunteer planning committee. They meet months in advance and bring dozens of other volunteers on board to make it all come together: decorations, sponsors, table setters, vendors, musicians, and more. They work long hours without pay, all to benefit the health and wellness of our community – hats off to this year’s committee!

Event Chair

  • Jean Raatz

Committee Support

  • Sandra Gardner

Data Management

  • Linda Switzer

Entertainment

  • Sandy Roelofs
  • Rayette Schramm
  • Wendy Ulferts
  • Jacquie Johnson

Friends

  • Julie Bateman
  • Cathy Bays
  • Lynn Stier
  • Dayling Munoz Blanco

Gala Dinner & Luncheon Food

  • Jean Lindemann
  • Mary Ellen Zachman

Hosting Function

  • Barb Swenson

Live Auction

  • Shelly Huseby
  • June Boie
  • Shelly Woltjer
  • Susan Anfinson

Publicity

  • Joy Baker
  • Darci Mohr
  • Judy Tebben

Silent Auction

  • Lara Duininck
  • Cindy Mulder
  • Barb Abrams
  • Beth Johnston
  • Chloe Quinn
  • Jan Cole

Table Settings

  • Candy Smith
  • Sue Soderholm
  • Audrey Nelsen
  • Karla Tinklenberg

Theme & Decorating

  • Jean Geselius
  • Judy Treptau
  • Deb Van Buren
  • Merica Overcash
  • Dayling Munoz Blanco

 

Thank you to the following businesses and individuals for their in-kind support and assistance with the 2013 Holiday Festival.

  • Events by Beverly, Bev Dougherty ~ Linens & Ceiling Draping
  • Fladeboe Auctioneers, Kristine Fladeboe Duininck
  • North American State Bank ~ Tiffany-style Lamps
  • Abeln Family
  • Brian and Julie Asmus
  • The Barn Theater
  • Dennis Benson, Photography
  • Perry and Marge Breems
  • Shirley Carter
  • Chaplain Beverly Crute
  • Byron and Mari Damhof
  • Kathy Dillon
  • Jason Dougherty
  • Bri Dyson
  • Dale and Jonette Engan
  • Fenstra Real Estate
  • Dr. Ken Flowe
  • Foundation Board of Directors
  • Gala Dinner Guests
  • Ruth Gauquie
  • Luke Geiger, Graphic Design
  • Pat and Larry Groen
  • Donna Grover
  • Holiday Inn & Willmar Conference Center Staff
  • Hosts & Hostesses
  • Jacquie Johnson
  • Meg Junkermeier
  • Selena Klein
  • Ruth Koenen
  • Chad and Angela Koosman
  • Laurie’s Designs, Kim Brouwer
  • Tori Leitch
  • Long Lake Antiques
  • Bruce and Gayle Marcus
  • Rob Miller, IT Support
  • Musicians
  • Nate & Jessica Neal
  • Sue Olson
  • Amy Pawelk, Images by Amy Lynn
  • Barb Piasecki
  • ProColor Graphics, Matt Stark
  • Robin Raasch
  • Kevin Raatz
  • Review Guests
  • Linda Saunders
  • Deanna Savoie
  • Mary Seifert
  • Table Setters
  • Aane Twedt
  • Shannon VanDeRiet
  • Stacy’s Floral
  • Weddings on First
  • Whitney Music
  • Willmar Car Club
  • Matt Zupke

Rice Care Center offers dramatic change to the experience for its residents

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By Anne Polta, West Central Tribune, Friday, July 12, 2013 —WILLMAR–The distances in the Rice Care Center’s newly renovated east wing are shorter for aging legs to walk. There are private rooms and baths, a dining room overlooking a garden, and a kitchen serving up meals and coffee whenever the residents want.

Most of all, the environment says “home.”When Bev Bruse accompanied a resident out to the garden on a recent morning to cut fresh roses, they began chatting about flowers.“I found out she really liked her gardening when she was at home,” said Bruse, the household coordinator for the skilled care facility’s east wing. Moments like this between residents and staff are among the many outcomes the Rice Care Center hopes to see as it makes the transition this year and next year into a redesigned facility.

The $6 million project is transforming not only the physical appearance of the 1960s-era nursing home but the resident experience as well. “It’s a total 180,” said Troy Barrick, Rice Care Center administrator. “It’s all for the residents.”

Read the full story at www.wctrib…

320-231-4141
Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
301 Becker Avenue SW, Willmar, MN 56201