2014 Community Support for GRMC Tops $1.5 Million

Grinnell Regional Medical Center reports that it received more than $1.5 million in 2014 through gifts to the Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign, the annual fund drive, memorials, and special events.

“The level of commitment and support for our community hospital is very strong,” says Denise Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development.  “All of us who rely on GRMC for our healthcare benefits greatly from this generosity of spirit.”

As a way of expressing gratitude, GRMC staff produced a video highlighting the many ways in which the entire community benefitted from giving to the medical center. The video can be found at www.grmc.us. Go to the “news” column and click on “Thank You For Making a Difference.”

While the spotlight has been focused on the Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign, the ongoing community needs underwritten by the annual fund drive continues. In 2014, GRMC donors contributed $106,405 to the annual fund drive for ongoing community projects such as the Grinnell Regional Community Care Clinic, bike helmets for area third graders, the GRMC Babies Room, and other annual operating needs.

More than $1.4 million was raised for capital projects and equipment purchases through the Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign in the past year. The new Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center at Postels Community Health Park in downtown Grinnell was funded solely through charitable donations.

To date, GRMC has raised nearly $3.2 million in gifts and pledges for the Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign to:

·        Modernize the emergency department and create an urgent care clinic.

·        Enhance the chemotherapy and infusion services.

·        Purchase state-of-the-art robotic surgery equipment and a new CT scanner.

·        Renovate Postels Community Health Park to accommodate a growing wellness program.

·        Establish an endowment for Grinnell Regional Mental Health Center.

·        Replace equipment for obstetrics and radiology departments, patient rooms, and nutrition services.

 For additional information about supporting GRMC, contact Lamphier at 641-236-2589 or dlamphier@grmc.us.

Healthcare Day at the State Capitol

The GRMC Auxiliary invites the public to participate in the annual Iowa Hospital Association’s Legislative Day, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25. Legislative Day allows area residents to be healthcare advocates about the government’s role in healthcare policy and funding.

This year’s Legislative Day will begin with lunch and program at the Veterans Memorial Convention Center Ballroom in Des Moines. The GRMC Auxiliary has reserved a motorcoach to transport area residents to Des Moines. The coach will leave Grinnell at 10 a.m. Greg Boattenhamer, IHA government relations senior vice president, will discuss the 2015 legislative agenda.

Another highlight of the day is meeting with legislators representing the Poweshiek County area. Plans are in the works to meet with State Senator Tim Kapucian and State Representative Dave Maxwell.  

To sign up for this free event, please call the GRMC volunteer office at 641-236-2588, or email at kolson@grmc.us, by Monday, February 9. 

Legislative Day is the largest annual gathering of healthcare advocates during the year, with more than 1,000 in attendance. The event, sponsored by Iowa Hospital Association, is free to all hospital supporters across the state. The purpose of Legislative Day is to give hospital advocates the tools and skills needed to directly address issues facing Iowa hospitals, healthcare providers, and citizens with their legislators at the Iowa Statehouse. Grinnell Regional Medical Center has been a leader in this program with an average of 30 participants attending in recent years.

IHA provides legislative papers explaining current healthcare topics. Issues under consideration include behavioral health, Medicare payment, telehealth, and other quality mandates.

Caregiver Support Group Scheduled

Grinnell Regional Hospice is offering a monthly Caregiver Support Group.  This group is designed for adults who are providing care for an adult loved one. The group provides caregivers with the opportunity to gain support, strength, and encouragement from each other.  This group is open to anyone providing care to an adult loved one who may be experiencing an illness, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Group meetings will be held the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning Tuesday, January 27, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Grinnell – 1025 5^th Avenue, Grinnell.

There is no fee to participate, but interested persons are requested to pre-register by calling Grinnell Regional Hospice at 641-236-2418.

  

Kintzinger Family Gifts $50,000 to GRMC

The gift of friendship is a priceless one.

After they met in Grinnell in 1969, Marion A. Jones and Jewel Kintzinger Day became friends for life. Using today’s nomenclature, they would have been called BFFs or “besties.” They did everything together, from raising children and boating to planning charitable galas and running the volunteer gift shop at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. They laughed and cried together and made the best memories for life.

“She was fun,” Jewel says, “and so was Add,” Marion’s husband.

The duo also made a difference in the lives of many others through the work they did. That shared legacy of friendship and devotion continues today.

Marion Jones died in November 2011. This month, Jewel Kintzinger Day and her family made a gift of $50,000 toward the hospital’s Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign in honor of Marion.

Jewel Kintzinger Day, her husband Burt Day, and her children—Doug Kintzinger, Stuart Kintzinger, Rachel Kintzinger Harpham, and Wendy Kintzinger Lentz and their families—made the gift to GRMC in tribute to Marion as a close family friend and community leader.

“My deceased husband, John, also served on the hospital board of directors and was also on the art committee,” Jewel says. His work on the art committee enhanced the walls of the hospital as well as the GRMC Healing Garden.

 In December, GRMC dedicated the first floor south patient wing as the Marion A. Jones Patient Care Wing. As the first female president of the hospital’s board of directors, Marion Jones ably led the organization through several difficult challenges during her term.  Under her leadership, hospital administrators, medical staff, and the community moved toward increasing the hospital’s outpatient care services.

“I followed in Marion’s footsteps as I also served as the chair of GRMC’s board of directors,” says Debby Pohlson, co-chair of GRMC’s Moving at the Speed of Life campaign. “I know how challenging that role is. But, as much as anything else, this gift is certainly a celebration of a strong friendship between two extraordinary women, Marion and Jewel. The work they did together is a wonderful legacy for the entire area.”

In addition to her eight years of service to the Grinnell General Hospital board of directors, Marion and Jewel served as active members of the auxiliary and fund-raisers for the hospital. They are well-known for their work over the years for organizing hospital charity balls and transforming the gift shop into a successful venture.

Both Marion and Jewel are honorary co-chairs of the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign. Directly above the new Marion A. Jones Patient Care Wing is the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center.

“To have a friend and to be a friend is what makes life worthwhile. For many years, GRMC has been fortunate to be a beneficiary of Jewel and Marion’s friendship. Together they have given a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make the hospital the great place that it is for our patients. Their efforts have literally touched thousands of patients over the years. We are overwhelmed by the care and support that both the Kintzinger and Jones families have shown to GRMC,” says Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO.

Gifts to the Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign are making possible:

§  Extensive renovations to the emergency department to modernize it.

§  The creation of an urgent care clinic.

§  The creation of a new chemotherapy and infusion department.

§  The purchase of a state-of-the-art daVinci^® surgical robotic system and new CT scanner.

§  Renovations to Postels Community Health Park to accommodate GRMC’s growing wellness program.

§  The replacement of equipment for obstetrics and radiology departments, patient rooms, and nutrition services.

For more information about making a gift to the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign, please contact Denise Lamphier, director of communications and development, at 641-236-2589 or dlamphier@grmc.us.

PHOTO CAPTION: Good friends Jewel Kintzinger Day and Marion A. Jo

GRMC Raises $3 Million Toward Campaign Goal

Grinnell Regional Medical Center is Moving at the Speed of Life to raise $7.5 million for several capital projects. To date, the campaign has raised $3 million from individuals, families, businesses, and foundations.
“The support for our community hospital from our entire area is truly remarkable,” says Debby Pohlson, co-chair, Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign, and past chair of the GRMC Board of Directors. “It really is an investment in something that we all rely on to be here for us.”
GRMC reports that 21 couples and businesses have made pledges ranging from $10,000 to $14,000. They are Sig and Judi Barber, Isadore Berman, Dr. Patrick and Jennifer Cogley, George and Sue Drake, Drs. Lauren and Andrew Graham, Ed and Bev Hatcher, Larry and Echo Jansen, Jensen Optometrists, PLLC, Wendy S. Kadner, Reza Kargarzadeh-Engineered Plastic Components, Todd and Angela Linden, Leila N. Maring, David and Kris Ness, Dr. J.R. and Linda Paulson, Howard and Suzy Raffety, Drs. Michelle and Sam Rebelsky, Smith Funeral Home, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Windstream, and Anonymous.
As donations and pledges have been received, GRMC has put them to work to begin and finish projects. Most notably, the new home of the Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center at Postels Community Health Park recently opened in mid-October.
“Many of these projects needed to be completed in a sequential order,” says Mark Doll, director of facilities management at GRMC. “We have completed three major facilities projects in the past 18 months with the GRMC Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite, the Manatt Family Urgent Care, and the work at Postels. Now that the fitness center has moved downtown, our team started work on the new F.A. Jones Physical and Occupational Therapy Center on the first floor of the Ahrens Medical Arts Building.”
Additionally, major gifts have allowed GRMC to secure the da Vinci® Xi Surgical Robotic System and a new 64-slice CT scanner.
GRMC
1/16/15
“While we are still accepting donations to finish paying for these completed projects, our focus now is on remodeling the emergency department and building an endowment for mental health,” Pohlson says.
GRMC is seeking funds to update and upgrade its emergency department. More than 10,000 patient visits happen annually in this certified Level III/Area trauma center. Significant improvements are needed and planned for GRMC’s emergency services to continue to meet the needs of area residents and all who come to the emergency department for medical care.
“Our emergency department sees a high number of critical and trauma patients, especially for a hospital of our size,” Pohlson says. “We need more efficient and updated space for patient care needs. GRMC is very grateful for the support of area businesses, industry, organizations, and individuals who are investing in this effort to improve the medical center for our entire area.”
For more information about making a gift to the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign, please contact Denise Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development at 641-236-2589 or dlamphier@grmc.us.
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Cancellations Due to Weather

Foot and Ankle of Iowa, Dr. McKnight’s clinic, will open at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6, due to the weather.

Previously released:

Grinnell Regional Public Health will cancel the Tuesday, Jan 6, morning immunization clinic, scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. The clinic will hold the afternoon session set for 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow. 

The GRMC Breastfeeding Support Group will not meet Tuesday, Jan 6. Staff do not recommend infants and toddlers to be traveling in the extreme cold temperatures. 

GRMC Welcomes First Baby of 2015

The first baby of 2015 arrived at Grinnell Regional Medical Center at 7:43 a.m. on Friday, January 2. Chanelle Halverson and Jose Madrigal, Marshalltown, welcomed their son, Jose Angel Madrigal, at the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center.

Jose weighed seven pounds, one ounce, and measured 22 inches long. He was delivered by Mathew Severidt, MD, Surgical Associates, and Roy Doorenbos, MD, Grinnell Regional Family Practice.

Baby Madrigal joins a brother, Jaziah. Grandparents are Steve and Andrianne Halverson, and Jose and Karin Madrigal, all of Marshalltown.

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 Photo Cutline:

The first baby born at GRMC’s Kintzinger Women’s Health Center in 2015 is Jose Angel Madrigal, son of Chanelle Halverson and Jose Madrigal, of Marshalltown. 

Public Invited to Test Drive Exercise Classes at Special Fitness Center Event

The Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center will host a Jam Session from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 17. This event at Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s wellness center is free and allows residents to try group exercise classes and work out in the strengthening area. The PWA Fitness Center is located at 824 Commercial Street, Grinnell, inside the Postels Community Health Park.

Participants will have the opportunity to try a sampling of GRMC’s group exercise classes, including Spinning, body blast, gentle yoga, boot camp, power pump, kickboxing, Vinyasa yoga, functional fitness, and yoga. During the Jam Session, the classes will run 45 minutes each, starting on the top of the hour. A schedule is posted on http://bit.ly/1tHkAYl. Classes will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon.

Headlining the event will be Ben Boothby, former University of Northern Iowa defensive lineman, Hez Jackson, former Iowa State University full back, and Jeff McGinness, former University of Iowa wrestler, who will demonstrate the dual-sided squat rack with lifting platform. These Iowa athletes will be in the center from 10 a.m. to noon.

“We invite anyone who wants to test out our classes and equipment to stop in for a free morning and experience our community of wellness,” says Chad Nath, GRMC’s wellness department director. “Our staff will work with members to help achieve their wellness goals. You don’t need to face the fitness journey alone. We welcome all fitness levels. Our facility was designed for individuals with all abilities and motivation. And, we offer classes for different levels of fitness.”

The open exercise event allows individuals to experience the fitness center before they make a membership commitment. Guests are welcome to bring friends.  

Door prizes will be given out. Refreshments by Purple Cucumber will be available.  

GRMC Facility and Equipment Upgrades Upcoming Topic and SE*ED

Grinnell Regional Medical Center made significant improvements to facilities and equipment upgrades over the past two years. Starting with the new GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite in 2013, the community hospital has added several services, equipment, and a new facility all through philanthropic efforts.

Dan Agnew and Debby Pohlson, co-chairs for the GRMC Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign, will be joined by Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO, and Denise Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development, at the SE*ED program held on Monday, January 12. They will outline the improvements that have been made and provide details on the proposed renovation of the GRMC emergency department.

The program is free and open to the public at the Drake Community Library. Refreshments are served beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the one-hour program begins at 10 a.m. No reservations are needed. Donations are accepted.

The SE*ED program is in its monthly winter schedule during January, February, and March. The next program will be on nuclear medicine, presented by Stuart Jordan, nuclear medicine technologist at GRMC, on February 9, 2015.

Parking is available at the Drake Community Library, along Park Street, on Fifth Avenue, and in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot.

Seniors needing transportation may call GRMC Communications and Development, 641-236-2593 by Thursday before the program.

If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance,

please call 641-236-2593. For more information about upcoming speakers please check GRMC’s website at www.grmc.us or call 641-236-2954.

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Radon Kits Available from Public Health Office

Grinnell Regional Public Health has free basic radon testing kits available for homeowners who have not tested their home in at least two years. Call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385 or stop by their office at 306 4th Ave., Grinnell, Iowa to pick up a kit. GRPH has 20 free kits to give away. Additional kits are available for purchase at $5 each.

Iowa leads the nation in the percentage of homes with excessive radon levels. With the high risk for all homes in the state, the Iowa Department of Public Health is working with county public health offices to help homeowners test for radon.

Radon can be found anywhere. The colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas is produced from the decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil. Risk occurs when the gas enters buildings and the decay products are inhaled. The radon gas in the air can damage the lungs and cause lung cancer.

Once radon is identified in a building, a process can be installed in the building to ventilate the radon out and reduce the risks of damage. For information on radon mitigation, the process to reduce indoor radon levels, contact the Iowa Radon Hotline at 1-800-383-5992. The kit may also be purchased online at www.IDPH.State.IA.US/Radon.