Anonymous Donor Creates Endow Iowa Fund for GRMC

An anonymous donor has created an Endow Iowa endowment fund at the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation to benefit Grinnell Regional Medical Center. This endowed fund will have a maximum annual distribution of 5 percent. Going forward, additional donors may contribute to this newly established fund with a gift of $100 or greater and also take advantage of the tax benefit.

“GRMC is grateful to the donor who made this all possible,” says Todd Linden, GRMC President and CEO. “We are pleased to be a part of this collaboration between the donor and the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation. Interest earned from the endowment provides the medical center with funds for annual operating needs.”

“We are pleased to have the medical center included in this wonderful program,” says Tom Marshall, GPCF vice-president and founding board member. “This collaboration provides another opportunity for donors to give to a great organization.”

This partnership provides donors who wish to support the important work of GRMC with State of Iowa tax credits in addition to any federal tax benefits. This opportunity exists because of a program called the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program. Iowa citizens or businesses making a gift to a permanently endowed fund held by a qualified community foundation, such as GPCF, are eligible for a 25 percent State of Iowa tax credit.

The 25 percent Endow Iowa tax credit means that for every $100 contributed to this fund, the donor’s Iowa income tax bill is reduced by $25. The gift remains income tax-deductible for federal purposes, which produces additional savings for the donor consistent with their specific tax bracket.

The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program was created to encourage individuals, businesses, and organizations to make lasting investments in their communities. To date, Iowans have donated $75 million by taking advantage of the Endow Iowa tax credit through endowments at community foundations across the state. Locally, donors have contributed more than $500,000 toward endowment funds through GPCF.  The foundation manages local funds for the Endow Iowa tax credit as the area’s community foundation. Endow Iowa tax credits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about how to support Grinnell Regional Medical Center with the Endow Iowa program, please contact Denise Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development at 641-236-2589 or dlamphier@grmc.us. Donors with questions about Endow Iowa, may contact Delphina Baumann, GPCF gift planning coordinator, at 641-236-5518 or delphina@greaterpcf.org.

Annual GRMC Auxiliary Wreath Raffle Ushers in the Holiday

Welcome the holiday season with the annual wreath raffle sponsored by the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. This year, the auxiliary will sell raffle tickets for 40 holiday and winter wreaths, more than ever before. Wreaths are 24 inches in diameter and decorated by area businesses and volunteers in a wide variety of themes – from traditional, whimsical and contemporary.

Ticket sales begin Monday, November 28 at The Glass Gift Box at GRMC. Wreaths will be displayed in the hospital hallways by The Glass Gift Box, laboratory waiting, and physical therapy. The drawing for wreaths will be Friday, December 16, at 1 p.m.

“We are thrilled to have so many wreaths for the raffle this year,” says Donna German, committee chair. “It’s a fun event to kick off the holiday season.”

This fundraiser for the GRMC Auxiliary will go toward the Auxiliary’s effort to help GRMC with a new mobile hospital van. Overall, the GRMC Auxiliary supports various medical center and health education programs, including $5,000 in scholarships, major equipment gifts to the medical center, books and gifts to newborns at the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center, and health education such as the Women’s Health Focus and Baby Fair.

Raffle tickets may be purchased at The Glass Gift Box, the Auxiliary’s gift shop inside the medical center, for $1 each or 6 for $5, beginning Monday, Nov. 28. While at The Glass Gift Box, shoppers can also purchase angels for the hospital angel tree in honor or memory of a loved one.

For more information on any of these events or to support the GRMC Auxiliary, call the GRMC volunteer coordinator at 236-2588. 

Community Challenged to Fund Anesthesia Machines

Three organizations have collaborated to offer Grinnell Regional Medical Center a $35,000 challenge to the community to fund the need for upgraded anesthesia machines in the surgery department.

Grinnell College, Grinnell State Bank, and Laser Resources will together match all donations to GRMC’s annual fund drive designated for the new anesthesia machines dollar for dollar up to $35,000.

“This effort is about so much more than medical equipment,” says Denise Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development. “Last year, GRMC performed 2,800 surgeries. So far this year, GRMC has performed more than 2,560 surgeries. Included in this year’s patients were my sister and my best friend. For me, this effort is about providing the best medical care close to home for our friends, neighbors, and family members. An upgrade to our anesthesia machines will help ensure quality care for years to come.  Because of that, I am both professionally and personally grateful to Grinnell College, Grinnell State Bank, and Laser Resources for offering this matching challenge.”

The medical center has already raised almost $70,000 toward the $140,000 project to purchase updated and uniform anesthesia machines for the four surgery suites. Each anesthesia machine costs $35,000. Completion of the challenge from Grinnell College, Grinnell State Bank, and Laser Resources will close the funding gap needed to purchase all four machines

“Grinnell is fortunate to have a facility like GRMC right here in town. We recognize that the medical center continually strives for improved quality of care and patient safety, and that this equipment is a step toward that goal,” says Raynard Kington, president of Grinnell College.

The anesthesia equipment upgrade will allow the GRMC surgery staff to deliver anesthetics with much more sophisticated ventilator capabilities in a safe and effective manner. Benefits for the patient include hands-free ventilation so the anesthesia provider can focus even more closely on the patient. In addition, improved technology advancements reduce the potential for errors.

“I imagine many of my family members, as well as myself, have been helped many times over by these machines. So, I imagine these new machines will be there for us many times into the future. Please join us in making such an important contribution to our own well-being,” says David Jones, president and CEO of Grinnell State Bank.

 “As a locally owned and operated company, Laser Resources believes strongly in partnering with our Central Iowa customers. We hope our support of the anesthesia machine effort will help further the good work being done at GRMC,” says Bob Lashier, president of Laser Resources, a supplier of printing and copying technology to GRMC.

Donations to the anesthesia effort—online, by phone, or by mail—will be matched dollar for dollar. For more information, call Lamphier in the GRMC Office of Communications and Development at 641-236-2589. Gifts may be made online by visiting www.grmc.us and clicking on “Make a Gift Online” under Quick Links.

GRMC Volunteer Recognized as a Shining Star with IHA

Grinnell Regional Medical Center volunteer Shirley Broders was recognized by the Iowa Hospital Association as a Shining Star at their annual meeting on Oct. 6 in Des Moines.

Broders was nominated by GRMC Auxiliary for her length of volunteer service and her dedication. She began her involvement with the auxiliary more than 20 years ago through her employment with GRMC. She would work during the day and volunteered in the gift shop in the evenings.

“Shirley served as a dedicated employee of GRMC and has continued that commitment to the health in retirement as a volunteer. We are truly blessed to have such excellent volunteers at GRMC,” says Todd C. Linden, CEO and president of GRMC. “Shirley is a shining star for GRMC and the auxiliary. We want to thank her for her service for so many years.”

In 1990, Broders began maintaining the GRMC Auxiliary archives to preserve the rich history of the Auxiliary. In 2000, she started volunteering as a breakfast cashier. This is a valued service to our guests and employees and a fundraiser for the auxiliary. Broders also participates in the annual Iowa Hospital Association Legislative Day. Over the years, she has accumulated more than 2,000 hours volunteering for the Auxiliary and Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

Grinnell Regional Medical Center Receives $5,000 Grant

Grinnell, Iowa Monsanto Site Helps Local Organization Purchase Anesthesia Equipment

GRINNELL, Iowa –The Grinnell Regional Medical Center, dedicated to the care of nearly 40,000 residents in greater Poweshiek County, received a $5,000 grant with the help of the Grinnell Monsanto Site.

            The Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC), a top rural medical center in Poweshiek County, was presented a $5,000 check from the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. The presentation took place at the GRMC’s Blue Jean Ball, on Saturday, Sept. 24.

            The GRMC will utilize the grant to help fund the purchase of new anesthesia equipment. “This equipment is extremely expensive, and particular during tough economic times, we count ourselves blessed to have received this generous donation,” said Denise Lamphier, director of communications and development at GRMC. "On behalf of the Medical Center and the community, we are sincerely appreciative for the Monsanto Fund and this donation.”

             Al Henderson, Monsanto Site lead, was also excited to play a part in the donation.  "The support of the Grinnell Regional Medical Center is important to the local community, as it helps the hospital to maintain and provide a high level of service to local residents,” he said. “It is continually striving to improve equipment and facilities so that it can attract new physicians and staff along with providing Grinnell area residents with the latest advancements in medical care."

            This grant is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund, which is focused on strengthening farming communities, as well as the communities where Monsanto’s employees live and work.

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About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

Monsanto and Vine Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2011 Monsanto Company

GRMC Auxiliary Member Meeting

The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary invites everyone to the annual fall luncheon scheduled for noon on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The regular gathering will again be held in the dining center at Buckley Hall on Park Street in the Mayflower Community, Grinnell.

“Our mission of the GRMC Auxiliary is to support the medical center through financial as well as volunteer services. We invite all members and the public to our luncheons where we share our successes and goals for the new year,” says Sheila Latcham, GRMC Auxiliary president. “For example, we are collecting items for the Stork’s Nest at this year’s fall luncheon to support a program for young mothers.”

The Stork’s Nest is launching a project for mothers in the program. They need plain colored T-shirts sized 0-3 months through 2T. In addition, the Stork’s Nest always needs items like diapers, bottles, pacifiers, wipes, and baby items. GRMC Auxiliary luncheon attendees are invited to bring an item for the Stork’s Nest.

The agenda for the meeting includes: the election of 2012 officers and board members, updates on projects at the hospital and auxiliary, and door prizes. Entertainment will be provided by the Four Tones.

Tickets are $8 and available in The Glass Gift Box – the GRMC gift shop, from any GRMC Auxiliary Board member, or call the GRMC volunteer office at 641-236-2588.

Protect Against the Flu with a Vaccine

Grinnell Regional Public Health joins the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC in urging an annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older as the best way to protect against influenza.  By getting a yearly influenza vaccine, you can protect yourself from illness, and protect those around you. 

“The best way to protect you and your family is to receive an annual influenza vaccination,” said Patty Hinrichs, director of Grinnell Regional Public Health. Since the flu season begins in the fall, public health recommends residents receive the vaccine at an upcoming clinic.

This year, 170 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available in the United States. Manufacturers are currently shipping flu vaccines for the 2011-2012 season. The flu vaccine is plentiful this year, and is available in both the “shot in the arm” and “spray in the nose” formats.

Influenza is a respiratory illness that most often causes fever, headache, extreme tiredness, coughing, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose. Occasionally, nausea and diarrhea can accompany the respiratory symptoms.  The flu virus is spread when people who are ill cough or sneeze without covering their mouths and noses, sending tiny droplets of saliva into the air for others to breathe in and get sick.  A person can also get the flu by touching a surface or object (such as a door handle) that has been touched by someone with the flu (who coughed into their hand), and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

Grinnell Regional Public Health will host public immunization clinics throughout the county. No appointment is necessary. Residents should bring their insurance card and information (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid).  The schedule includes:

Monday, Oct. 3, 2 to 6 p.m. – Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center, 1500 Penrose St., Grinnell

Thursday, Oct. 13, 10:30 to noon – Brookside South, 214 4th Ave. West, Grinnell

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Grinnell Senior Center, 927 4th Ave., Grinnell

Thursday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to noon – St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 211 Jackson St., Brooklyn

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 3:45 to 6 p.m. – Grinnell High School media center, 1333 Sunset St., Grinnell

Thursday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to noon – Mayflower Community, 600 Park St., Grinnell

Monday, Oct. 31, 1 to 3 p.m. – Montezuma Presbyterian Church Family Center, 300 E. Washington, Montezuma

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 3 to 6 p.m. – BGM Elementary cafeteria, Brooklyn

Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to noon – Seeland Park tenplex lobby, Orchard Dr., Grinnell

Thursday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Grinnell United Methodist Church, 916 5th Ave., Grinnell

Vaccine is also available at area physicians’ clinics as well as the GRMC affiliated clinics in Victor, Toledo, New Sharon, and Lynnville.

For more information, call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385.