21st Annual GRMC Golf Outing a Success

Dr. Jeffrey Knobloch lines up for a putt on hole 9.

Grinnell Regional Medical Center hosted the 21st Annual GRMC Golf Outing on a picture-perfect summer afternoon Friday, June 25. Eighty golfers played 18 holes in the afternoon raising more than $12,500 for the medical center.

“I think everyone had a great time this afternoon raising funds for GRMC,” says Todd C. Linden, CEO and president of GRMC. “We could not have asked for a more beautiful day and the money we raised for the medical center is very much appreciated.”

This year’s major event sponsors were Bernie Lowe and Associates, Grinnell State Bank, Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, and Iowa Telecom/Windstream.

The GRMC golf outing is a best shot, four-person team format.

Teams played 18 holes during the afternoon session. The score is divided into two flights and three placings in each flight.

In the first flight, first place position, the team representing Wes Finch Auto (Jeff Finch, Wes Finch, John German, and Hugh German) won with a score of 57. The second place team, with a score of 58, included Dave Smith, Shane Hart, Rich Shell, and Shawn McKay. Posting a score of 60 was the third place team in the first flight, Rich Gogg, Laura Gogg, Jim Ramsey, and Darcy Swick.

Dr. Dave Smith putts while his teammates look on.

In the second flight, the first place team of Jane Axmear, Dillon Fisher, Tom Szary, and Heidi Thompson scored 65. The second team in the flight also posted a score of 65 with team members Steve Bodensteiner, Scott Schuler, Tyler Harter, and Chelse Monnier. The third place team represented Bernie Lowe & Assoc. (Skip Lowe, Mark Thayer, Rod Swager, and David Cummins) and posted a score of 67.

The GRMC golf outing includes contests at each hole. At holes 1 and 10, golfers tried to see who could land closest to the pin in one shot. The winners were Diane Chodur and Rich Gogg. Each won $50 HyVee gift cards, courtesy of HyVee Food Store.

Holes 2 and 11 were hole-in-one contests to win $300 in cash. No one was able to take either prize.

Jane Axmear and Steve Bodensteiner each won $50 gift certificates to the Grinnell Golf and Country Club, courtesy of Ramsey Weeks Inc., for the longest drives on holes 3 and 12.

On holes 4 and 13, Darcy Swick and Mark Carlock each won $50 in Grinnell Chamber Bucks, sponsored by Mercy Health Network for sinking the longest putt.

At holes 5 and 14, Julie Gosselink and Todd Linden claimed the contest landing their ball closest to the bedpan and each won $50 in Pagliai’s Pizza gift certificates.

Diane Chodur and Dave Smith each won a $50 gift certificate to Michael’s for getting his shot closest to the line on holes 6 and 15. The prize was donated courtesy of Michael’s.

Shannon Reding and John German won the prize for the longest drive on holes 7 and 16. Winners received $50 Grinnell Chamber Bucks, sponsored by The Straub Corporation.

Laura Gogg and Rick Ryan each earned $50 in Grinnell Chamber Bucks for getting closest to the tiger on holes 8 and 17. Prizes were sponsored by Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn, and Co., P.C.

The circle game gives golfers the challenge of teeing off and landing in a circle around the 9th pin. All golfers who landed in the circle are entered in a drawing with the winner drawn from these golfers. This year’s prize basket from various donors was awarded to Laura Gogg. John German won the 50/50 putt-putt contest.

Troy Gosselink follows through on his shot at the 50/50 putt-putt game.

Sponsors and donors included Bernie Lowe and Associates, Grinnell State Bank, Iowa Telecom/Windstream, Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, Baldwin White Architects, Grinnell College, Todd C. Linden, Associated Computer Systems, Health Enterprises of Iowa, KGRN AM 1410/Energy 106.7, Lincoln Savings Bank, Mike and Susan Witt Foundation, VanderLinden Construction – Dave and Sue VanderLinden, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Leila Maring, Poweshiek Publications – Pennysaver and Poweshiek County CR, Awards Unlimited, Beckman Gallery II, Bourbon Street, Brown’s Shoe Fit, City of Grinnell Recreation Department, Danish Maid Bakery, Family Dentistry, GRMC, Hy-Vee Food Store, Iowa Hospital Association, Linder Tire Service, Montezuma Country Club, Prairie Knolls Country Club, Russ’ All Sports Consignments, Subway, and The Glass Gift Box.

Clinics Closed for Holiday

The following medical clinics associated or affiliated with Grinnell Regional Medical Center will be closed on Monday, July 5, for the Independence Day holiday:

• Foot and Ankle of Iowa – Dr. McKnight
• Grinnell Health Alliance – Kristin Phelps and Dr. Cranston
• Grinnell Medical Associates – Drs. Doorenbos and Francis and Wendi Beck, PA
• Grinnell Regional Pain Clinic – Dr. Gessner
• Lynnville Medical Clinic – Diane Nutter, ARNP
• McCaw Family Care – Dr. McCaw
• New Sharon Memorial Clinic – Diane Nutter, ARNP
• Rebelsky Family Practice – Dr. Rebelsky
• Victor Health Center – Dr. Cranston and Jackie Harris, ARNP

Community Helps GRMC Meet Annual Fund Challenge

A $25,000 jumpstart challenge for Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s 2010 Annual Fund Drive has exceeded everyone’s expectations by helping the hospital top its accomplishments from the same time last year.

In February, the Gosselink family, the Witt family, the Claude & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, and the Claude Ahrens Charitable Trust announced that they would match donations from all first-time donors to the medical center as well as any increases in donation amounts from givers to last year’s annual fund appeal.

The hospital announced this week that the challenge has been achieved. To date, the 2010 annual fund drive has raised $131,747 from 516 donors compared to $104,322 from 473 donors at the same time last year.

“The challenge really helped us accomplished more than we had hoped in terms of raising additional dollars and expanding our donor base,” says Mindy Uitermarkt, director of development. “This wonderful accomplishment could not have happened without the help of so many fantastic donors not to mention the generosity of the Gosselink and Witt families and Ahrens foundation and trust.”

About 350 donors qualified for the challenge. Of those:

• 181 increased their gift or pledge over their 2009 gift to the annual fund.
• 94 were first-time donors to a GRMC fund-raising campaign.
• 75 were first-time donors to GRMC’s annual fund drive or gave to the medical center again after a break in donations.

“I’m elated that the community has responded so well to the challenge. The hospital does so much to enhance our lives in the community,” says Susan Witt, on behalf of the families and foundations. Witt is the vice-president of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation. She also chairs the GRMC Board of Directors.

“It is exciting that we exceeded last year’s giving amount and donor numbers,” Witt adds. “I want to send a special thank you to those who gave to the medical center for the first time. These gifts will touch many lives throughout the year. The hospital has many needs, which the annual fund helps support. It is our hope that all the new and reinstated donors will continue to support the medical center for years to come. Continued support from the community is essential to the high-quality care we expect from GRMC.”

David Menninga, 32, a Grinnell native now serving as a police officer with the Grinnell Police Department, was one of the many new donors who helped GRMC meet the challenge. Menninga appreciated that the Ahrens and Witt families offered the challenge and matched his donation dollar for dollar.

“I was born in that hospital. It has given my family a lot of support over the years,” he explains, adding that as a child he made several crucial visits to the emergency department.

“The hospital is a good cause. I think the Grinnell hospital is a great entity. As a law enforcement officer, I am at the hospital a lot. I respect all that it does for the community,” he says.

Annual fund-raising efforts will continue. The annual fund drive supports hundreds of programs and services—from life-changing surgery and treatment for chronic pain to a fast-moving aerobic dance class or support from a compassionate healthcare provider.

Witt encourages everyone to consider what might work for him or her personally to support the annual fund drive even though the challenge has been met.

“Opportunities exist to support the medical center every day throughout the year,” she says.

To make a gift or pledge to the 2010 annual fund drive, jump onto the GRMC website at www.grmc.us and go to the link “Make a gift to GRMC” or call 641-236-2961. Donations may also be mailed to the Office of Development, 210 4th Ave., Grinnell, IA 50112.

10 Years of Integrated Medicine in Grinnell

Grinnell Regional Medical Center will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Postels Community Health Park with an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 24. Free samples of 10-minute massages and paraffin wraps will be available. The open house will allow guests to tour the facility at 807 Broad St. and sample services.

The integrated medicine services available at Postels Community Health Park include massage (Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, couples, and chair), paraffin body wraps, ear candling, reflexology, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. The building also houses the new GRMC Outpatient Physical Therapy services, Stork’s Nest, The Galaxy, and GRMC Youth Fitness Center. Acupuncture is available from both Acupuncture Clinic of Grinnell as well as GRMC Acupuncture services. Chiropractic services are offered through Strovers Chiropractic Care.
The Postels building previously served as the headquarters of Grinnell Beverage. In 1999 Joanie and Arnie Heimsoth and Dick Postels, who owned the business, donated the facility to GRMC. After renovations, the facility opened in June 2000 with a new focus.

“From beer barrels to body massages, the transformation of the Postels building was as much symbolic as it was structural back in 1999,” explains Cory Jackson, GRMC wellness services director. “GRMC has been a leader in providing integrated therapies and complementary medicine. This building was a major catalyst in allowing the organization to dedicate space to these optimal healing therapies.”

Integrated medicine services in Grinnell also received a major boost when the community was selected to participate in an international study with Chicago; Munich, Germany; and Bolzano, Italy. The intent was to develop a template to build healthy communities using effective alternative therapies. The study involved two test groups: one following traditional medical standards and the other receiving nontraditional or alternative medicine therapies in addition to western medicine.

“The study’s findings showed that your health status is a direct correlation with your willingness to take responsibility for your own health,” says Suzanne Cooner, GRMC vice-president of operations. “Most participants in the integrated medicine group reported a noticeable improvement in overall well-being. They reported that they felt they were listening to their bodies.”

Since the 1999 study, GRMC has continued to expand and refine integrated services available for inpatients and outpatients.

“We invite everyone to stop in on Thursday for free chair massages and paraffin dips as well as giveaways and refreshments. Take a few moments to learn about the latest research and techniques for integrated medicine therapies to improve well-being,” Jackson says.

Two Accept Roles on GRMC Foundation Board

Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s Foundation Board has added two new members. Sig Barber and Leila Maring were nominated to the board, which makes decisions about the hospital endowment and fund-raising efforts.

Barber, former GRMC Board of Trustee Chair, has lived in Grinnell since 1977, when he joined Grinnell College as a professor of German. Maring is a retired home care/public health nurse, who has been involved with GRMC as an employee and later as a board member. Both will serve a three-year term on the 24-member board.


“The GRMC foundation board represents the communities we serve and provides valuable guidance and leadership for GRMC’s fundraising efforts and management of the foundation’s endowment,” says Mindy Uitermarkt, director of development. “Board members also play an important role as liaisons within the community on behalf of GRMC.”

GRMC’s foundation board executive committee serves two-year terms. The 2010 officers are Todd Reding, chair; George Drake, chair elect; Ed Hatcher, past chair; and Julie Gosselink, secretary/treasurer.

Other foundation board members are: Dan Agnew; Orville Bloethe; Warren Bower, MD; Pete Brownell; Jenny Erickson; Jack Gustafson; Joanie Heimsoth; Clark Jensen, OD; Mark Kennett, Sally Lang; Dianne Latimer; Todd C. Linden; 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 foundation board provides guidance, including the annual fund drive and planned giving activities.

Two Grinnell Organizations Receive Bequest from Wheeler Estate

Grinnell Regional Medical Center and the Grinnell United Methodist Church Foundation have been named beneficiaries of the estate of the late Gail and Margaret Wheeler.

The Wheelers were “quiet saints among us,” says Len Eberhart, church pastor. The Wheelers were married on March 17, 1936, in Malcom, Iowa. Before moving to Grinnell in 1979, they operated a grain and livestock farm southwest of Malcom. Gail Wheeler died in 1992 and Margaret Wheeler died in 2009.

The medical center and the church each received almost $367,000 from the couple’s estate. “The hospital and the church were very important to them. This is the way they always wanted things to be handled,” says the Wheeler’s niece, Mary Bair of Grinnell.

The church foundation plans to place a portion of the Wheelers’ estate into its endowment and another portion will be used for a parsonage replacement fund. Members of the congregation will also enjoy having one of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary restored with funds from the estate. The window to be replaced is directly behind the organ that Margaret Wheeler played during the early Sunday service at the church for years.

“Margaret will be looking down and will be pleased. Her light will shine through the window,” Bair says.

“Margaret and Gail are a blessing to a larger family of which they were a part,” Eberhart says. “We are thrilled to be able to perpetuate their generous spirits through this bequest.”

At the medical center, a portion of the Wheeler estate will be directed to the hospital’s endowment fund. In addition, the GRMC Board of Directors has designated that $200,000 of the estate be used to help improve MRI services at the medical center. GRMC plans to obtain a new MRI and house it inside the medical center to replace its current mobile unit. To do so, an area inside the medical center needs to be remodeled to accommodate the unit, the operations system, and the foundation. The renovation project will cost about $300,000. In addition to the Wheeler bequest, medical center leaders will seek additional support from the community to complete the project. The room with the new MRI will be named the Gail and Margaret Wheeler MRI Suite, in honor of the couple.

Bair says that decision makes “good sense.” Her uncle used GRMC’s services, including its MRI services, for health problems he had many times before his death in 1992.

“GRMC as we know it has delivered healthcare to this community for almost half a century,” says Todd Reding, chair of GRMC’s Foundation Board. “The Wheelers’ gift will help provide area residents with quality diagnostic healthcare close to home for many more years to come. We are honored that they chose to share a significant portion of their estate with us.”

GRMC Auxiliary Announce Scholarship Recipients

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary introduced the 10 $1,000 scholarship winners at the annual membership spring luncheon on April 21. The GRMC auxiliary provides scholarships to new high school graduates as well as adults returning to advanced education in a healthcare field. Recipients come from Brooklyn, Chelsea, Grinnell, LeGrand, New Sharon, Montezuma, South English, and Sully.

“The GRMC Auxiliary is committed to supporting healthcare work force and employees at GRMC advancing their degrees,” says Linda Eichhorn, the auxiliary scholarship committee chair. “Our goal is to support the advancement of healthcare careers and those who have a passion to care for others in a healthcare setting. I think we had another excellent year of candidates.”

The 2010 GRMC Auxiliary Scholarship recipients are:

Brittaney Baker, Grinnell. She is currently a student at Des Moines Area Community College and completing pharmacy tech clinicals at GRMC. She is taking courses for a career in pharmacy/medical laboratory technologist. Her parents are Ray and Lori Baker.

Kristy Brown, Montezuma. She is presently employed at GRMC and is a student at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. She is working toward her associate nursing degree.

Toshia Creps, Grinnell. Creps will graduate from Grinnell High School in May. She has been accepted into the licensed practical nurse program at Marshalltown Community College. She is the daughter of Richard and Denise Creps.

Terra Figland, Brooklyn. She is currently enrolled in the physicians assistant program at Des Moines University, and is a graduate of Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.

Tilly Schmidt, South English. Schmidt is in her second year at Mt. Mercy College where she is studying nursing. She is the daughter of Richard Schmidt.

Alicia Thede, LeGrand. She will graduate from East Marshall in May, and will attend Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines to study nursing. She is the daughter of Robert and Tamara Thede.

Tessa Van DeWalle, Chelsea. She will graduate from South Tama in May. She has been accepted into the nursing program at Mt. Mercy College. Her parents are Rick and Jodi Van DeWalle.

Callie Van Genderen, New Sharon. Van Genderen will graduate from North Mahaska High School in May, and will study nursing at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Wray is the daughter of Chris and Sara Wray.

Bailey Zegers, Sully. She is a 2009 graduate of Lynnville-Sully and is currently a nursing student at Mt. Mercy College. She is the daughter of Brad Zegers and Denise Williams.

Congratulations to these 2010 scholarship winners. For more information about the GRMC Auxiliary and scholarship program, call 641-236-2588.