Annual Gala 2020 was a Success
A grand total of $246,533 was raised through the virtual event!
Despite not being able to be together in person for the Carris Health Foundation’s Annual Gala this year, our community still came together to support hospice services and COVID-19 care. On behalf of everyone who will benefit from your gifts, thank you to all who watched, donated, and sponsored – THANK YOU! (click to watch video)
If you missed the event, you can still watch – WATCH the GALA video
You can still contribute to the virtual gala success benefitting Hospice and COVID care. CLICK HERE, if you would like to make a GIFT!
We look forward to seeing you in person next November!
Annual Gala is Going Virtual!
The Foundation’s 2020 Annual Gala is going virtual! Mark your calendars for Friday, November 13th. Join the live event from the comfort of your own home. Proceeds will benefit patients receiving Carris Health – Rice Hospice services and the COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
Check it out! The Virtual Gala website is live. You can register for free, read about this year’s beneficiaries, view our business sponsors, make a gift of support, and more. 
Heinie & Dan Ridler Memorial Golf Tournament for Hospice
26th Annual Golf Tournament Has Been Cancelled
Thank you for your past support of the Carris Health – Rice Hospice Heinie & Dan Ridler Memorial Golf Tournament. We have appreciated your support, and the support of many individuals, families, and businesses—all who care deeply for the compassionate Hospice services provided by the staff and volunteers.
The 26th annual Golf Tournament has unfortunately been cancelled this year because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. While we are disappointed, the health and well-being of everyone is always our top priority.
In lieu of golf fees and sponsorships, we invite you to make a gift to support Hospice care. Please make your gift ONLINE, or make your check payable to Carris Health Foundation – Hospice, and mail to 301 Becker Avenue SW, Willmar MN 56201.
SAVE THE DATE!! The Hospice Golf Tournament will return on Monday, July 12, 2021.
Sincerely,
Carris Health – Rice Hospice Staff & Volunteers and the Ridler Family
Foundation Grant Awards Announced
2020 Spring Grant Awards
Rice Health Foundation is your partner in advancing the quality of care offered at Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital. Gifts to the Foundation support the work you do by funding programs, education, and new technology at Rice. The Foundation Staff and Board of Trustees are very proud to present the following list of grants totaling $244,940.
CARRIS HEALTH – RICE HOSPITAL
COVID-19 Incident Command Team
Grant will help meet high priority COVID-19 needs. $100,000
HEMODIALYSIS
Bair Paw Gown Warmer
Warmer unit with 60 gowns will help patients stay warm during dialysis. $600
HOSPITAL LABORATORY
iSTAT POCT Blood Testing Device
Device will aid in the ability to consistently provide critical lab values for the most difficult to draw patients, especially neonatal patients. Direct electronic transfer of results eliminates transcription errors. $11,000
RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Aerogen Aerosol Delivery Device
Device technology has shown to reduce hospital admissions from ER and reduce hospital length of stays for patients experiencing exacerbation of their chronic lung disease. $3,566
CARRIS WELLNESS
Mental Well-Being Presentations
Well-Being Retreat for employees, similar to the program offered at CentraCare. Keynote speaker for retreat speaks to resiliency and mental well-being. $5,000 ($2,242 from Hans Dahl Employee Education Endowment)
CARRIS EMERGENCY SERVICES
Ten 800 MHz Portable Radios
Grant will replace current portable radios that are at the end of their useful life. $26,000
WOMEN & CHILDREN’S CARE
Daily Care Boards
Care boards are updated with names of the healthcare team, and the goals created by the patient and the caregivers for each shift. Care boards provide written information that is easily changed with dry erase markers to enhance communication throughout the patient’s stay. $10,565
Newborn Hearing Screener
Rice Hospital has been performing newborn hearing screens for over 20 years, using the same hearing screener for the past 14 years. Testing every newborn’s hearing is the standard of care. $24,495
Lactation Certification
Breastfeeding review course and exam fee for renewing International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification. $2,375
Relias Online Education for Physicians and RNs
Online education option to ensure consistent information and knowledge among team who are caring for laboring mothers and newborns. $15,000 (Partially funded from Caring for Children Endowment)
RICE REHABILITATION SERVICES
Bioness Interactive Therapy Software (BITS) System
BITS is a computer system with a 55” touch-screen monitor on a mobile stand. The software application uses customizable programs as well as standard outcome measures designed to evaluate and improve abilities for individuals with a variety of diagnosis. $28,000
Group Advanced Spine Mobilization and Manipulation Course
Course will be offered in Willmar for Rehab’s eleven physical therapists to build PT skill sets, improve patient outcomes, and standardize advanced treatments. $6,500 (from Earl B. Olson Endowment)
SPIO & Benik Support Garments
Two different types of pediatric support garments to be used during physical and occupational therapy treatment sessions. $1,076
Bariatric ADA Two-sided Staircase – Inpatient Therapy
Therapy staircase will accommodate larger bariatric patients receiving inpatient services. $2,825
Group Advanced Spine Mobilization and Manipulation Course
Course would be offered in Willmar for Rehab’s eleven physical therapists to build PT skill sets, improve patient outcomes, and standardize advanced treatments. $6,500 (from Earl B. Olson Endowment)
Myofascial Release Technique Training
Provide one therapist with the most advanced training and specialized myofascial techniques to treat chronic pain and other diagnoses. $2,235
Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (SOFFI) Specialized Therapy Training
(SOFFI) identifies: 1) components of readiness to begin and sustain oral feeding, 2) the development of oral feeding skills through intervention strategies, 3) impact of various medical conditions on feeding success. $3,293
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach Therapy Training
Training and education for therapists to provide effective ways to address and treat problematic feeding behaviors to pediatric patient population. $2,410
Thank you for your support, and your commitment to healthcare.
We are Caring for the Community Together!
Rice Health Foundation steps up to help Carris Health’s COVID-19 response
Rice Health Foundation launches COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support Carris Health
Reprinted from West Central Tribune
Written By: Shelby Lindrud | Apr 17th 2020 – 4pm.
WILLMAR — Carris Health, the health partnership between Rice Memorial Hospital, ACMC and CentraCare, is not only trying to continue meeting the normal health needs of its patients, but is also dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Rice Hospital is one of five hospitals in the region designated to receive and treat patients with COVID-19.
In a letter to the West Central Tribune, the Rice Health Foundation Board of Trustees shared some of what is facing Carris Health and how the board, and the public, can help.
Carris Health is expecting higher-than-normal expenses due to COVID-19. Needed supplies, when they can be found, cost much more than normal, due to supply and demand. The board’s letter said it could cost the health system millions of dollars to get the needed supplies and be ready for any influx of COVID-19 patients.
At the same time Carris Health has been hit by declining revenue due to the cancellation and postponement of elective procedures and low census numbers.
To help Carris Health meet the challenges it is facing, the Rice Health Foundation has set up the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and has contributed $120,000 to it. The funds will be used to purchase COVID-19 supplies and medical equipment, provide meals to staff who remain on campus to provide care and to meet other high-priority needs to support the direct care of COVID-19 patients and others in the community.
The foundation board is inviting those in the public, who are able, to make a donation to the fund. Donations can be made online at www.ricehealthfoundation.org or by mailing a check to 301 Becker Ave. S.W., Willmar. Those with questions or looking for more information can call 320-231-4141 or email RmhFoundation@carrishealth.com.
“The impact of COVID-19 on us as individuals, a community, state and country, cannot be overstated. We are fortunate to have local access to health care, especially during this pandemic. Our thanks and appreciation go to all health care workers for making the sacrifice to not only meet our everyday health needs, but also prepare and maintain a state of readiness to care for those who may become infected in our area,” the board’s letter said.
COVID-19 Emergency Fund created for Carris Health
Carris Health appreciates the individuals, organizations, and community groups who are coming forward to offer support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an effort to direct funds to areas of need locally during the COVID-19 outbreak, Rice Health Foundation and Redwood Hospital Foundation have established a COVID-19 Emergency Fund to receive monetary donations for Carris Health locations. Gifts to this fund will be used to:
- Purchase COVID-19 supplies and medical equipment.
- Provide meals for staff who remain on campus to provide care.
- Meet other high priority needs identified to support the direct care of COVID-19 patients and others in our community.
Make your gifts online to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund (Carris Health – Rice Hospital or Carris Health-Redwood Hospital) or mail checks designated for COVID-19 to Rice Health Foundation, 301 Becker Ave SW Willmar, MN 56201 or Redwood Hospital Foundation, 100 Fallwood Rd, Redwood Falls, MN 56283.
Individual county emergency operations centers are coordinating all non-monetary donations for CentraCare and Carris Health facilities. Please tell your friends, neighbors, and community members that they should not deliver donations to our local hospitals or care facilities. To donate supplies contact:
- Kandiyohi call 320-214-6780 (Collecting homemade PPEs as well as other supplies.)
- Redwood County call 507-637-4035 (Collecting new, manufactured supplies only—no homemade PPEs)
We remain grateful to all health care workers and others, who are or will be on the frontlines of caring for our communities during this challenging time. With your support, we will get through this together!
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
By now, you have heard much about the ever changing COVID-19 pandemic. This is a brief update about what is happening close to home.
With 77 confirmed cases in MN including in Stearns and Renville Counties, know that Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital is well prepared to meet the health needs of the community during this time. All precautionary measures are being implemented to protect patients, staff, volunteers, and the general public. In addition to the CDC and MN Department of Health, you can also visit the hospital’s website www.carrishealth.com for frequent updates about the virus and how to stay safe.
To protect our donors, staff and volunteers, the Foundation will be postponing all meetings, events, and related activities in adherence to social distancing guidelines.
We remain deeply grateful for your service and philanthropic support that allow Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital to care for the community.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.
In the meantime, please wash your hands and follow all necessary precautions to stay virus free.
Best wishes!
Shirley D. Carter, Executive Director
Rice Health Foundation
Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital
Willmar Regional Cancer Center Expansion Campaign
Cancer touches the lives of many each day—it may be you, a loved one, a friend, a co-worker, or neighbor.
If you or someone you care about faces this disease, know that the physicians and staff at Willmar Regional Cancer Center are dedicated to providing quality cancer treatment with genuine compassion for each person who enters their doors.
Rice Health Foundation wants to partner with the community to strengthen and expand cancer care services provided at the Willmar Regional Cancer Center. The Cancer Center has three local oncologists and a professional staff providing radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
The goals of the expansion and renovation project are:
- Privacy – increase amount of private space for patients sharing their personal information during registration and scheduling appointments.
- Comfort – Expand the waiting area and create dedicated space for new services offered: social worker visits, mental health therapy, and complimentary therapies and services.
Growth – create office space and additional exam rooms for additional providers to deliver oncology services to more people throughout the region.
Because of the growing number of people needing cancer care, we invite you to partner with us and make a gift to support the expansion of Willmar Regional Cancer Center. Community support will allow the Cancer Center to deliver oncology services to more people throughout the region.
By providing a “state of the art” regional cancer center, patients can receive quality oncology services and remain close to home, near family and friends. Undoubtedly, this is an important component of a patient’s overall health, therapy, and recovery.
Generous Gala Support for the Cancer Center
THANK YOU!! “A Night in Tuscany” Annual Gala was a huge success last weekend. We raised over $105,000 in the pledge section alone! We expect the total net proceeds to be approx. $315,000!! Thanks to all who contributed in any way!!
Proceeds from the fundraising event will support expansion of the Willmar Regional Cancer Center. The renovation project will provide much needed space for patient privacy and comfort, additional physicians and staff, continue acquisition of modern technology, and meet the growing demand for service.
The Rice Health Foundation Staff and Board of Trustees extend a heartfelt THANKS to all who supported the 2018 Gala. We are grateful for the continuing gifts of time, talent, and treasure from the community. A special thank you to the Annual Gala Planning Committees who volunteered their many talents and hours of their time to make the Gala one for the record books!
