GRMC Foundation Board Welcomes New Members

Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s Foundation Board added two new members, Debby Pohlson and Susan Witt, at its April meeting.

Pohlson completed a 12-year term on the GRMC Board of Directors in January. She works as an assistant at Jensen Optometrists. Pohlson grew up in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School. She attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport, and received her B.A. in psychology.
            Pohlson has a long history of community support and involvement. She follows in the footsteps of her parents, Don and Ethel Howig. She is involved with the local musical group, Shults and Company, and serves on the Grinnell Area Arts Council Board. Pohlson and her husband, Paul, have two adult children, Sarah and Scott, and three grandchildren, Alex, Josie, and Olivia.

Witt is still serving on the GRMC board of directors, currently as the immediate past chair. She’ll do double duty on both boards for one year, until her term on the board of directors ends in 2013. She is a co-owner of Miraco, Corp. Witt, the daughter of the late Paul W. Ahrens and Dr. Peter and Diane Boeke, grew up in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and is certified by Roosevelt University in Chicago to be a lawyer’s assistant.

Witt’s long list of community volunteer involvement illustrates her strong support for Grinnell and the surrounding area. She serves as the vice-president of the Ahrens Foundation Board and president of the Ahrens Park Foundation. She’s been a past board member and/or officer with the Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center, Grinnell Golf and Country Club, Levart Club, and P.E.O. Chapter BM. She is also a life-time member of the GRMC Auxiliary.

Witt and her husband, Michael, returned to Grinnell more than 15 years ago. They have three children: Daniel, Ryan, and Katherine.

“Debby Pohlson and Susan Witt, as former members of the board of directors, add significant strength to the foundation board, a board that already benefits from the advice and support of exceptional community leaders who inspire support for GRMC’s vital mission,” says George Drake, 2012 GRMC foundation board chair.

The 2012 officers serving with Drake are Sally Lang, chair-elect; and Julie Gosselink, secretary/treasurer.

Other foundation board members are: Sig Barber; Orville Bloethe; Warren Bower, MD; Pete Brownell; Jenny Erickson; Jan Hansen; Joanie Heimsoth; Clark Jensen, OD; Carol Jordan; Mark Kennett; Todd C. Linden; Leila Maring; Leonard Seda; Nancy Walters Smith; Sally Smith; Pat Supple; Dave Vander Linden; and Victor Wilson, MD.

The medical center is currently engaged in a handful of fund-raising activities for which the board provides guidance, including the annual fund drive, the golf outing, a community breakfast, and planned giving activities.