Rice Health Foundation - Willmar, MN
A Tradition of Caring - Rice Memorial Hospital
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. 
#GIVINGTUESDAYNOW – May 5th
a global day of unity and generosity to meet the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19
In response to the increasing number of families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and caregivers being impacted by COVID-19; Rice Health Foundation will match 1:1 all gifts up to $20,000.00 to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, established to meet the health needs of community members and health care workers infected with COVID-19.
Make your gifts online to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund (Carris Health – Rice Hospital or Carris Health-Redwood Hospital) NOW – this GIVING TUESDAY!
We remain grateful to all health care workers and others on the frontlines
during this challenging time. With your support, we will get through this together!
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.
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