Column: Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation marks fourth anniversary

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WORTHINGTON — This June marks the fourth anniversary of the “new” Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc.

Established in 1983, the foundation was initiated by some concerned citizens. The foundation was initially affiliated with the city-owned hospital but has since taken its own direction.

The foundation received $5.4 million in 2008 as a result of the sale of the Southwest Minnesota Radiation Center, as well as the sale of the Worthington Regional Hospital to Sanford Health.

The mission statement of Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation is “to promote and facilitate operations in favor of health and education to the residents of Worthington and the surrounding area.”

The purpose of this writing is to inform the public as to how the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc. has made an impact on Worthington and the surrounding communities by granting money to various 501 (C-3) organizations and individuals.

Since June of 2008, Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc. has invested more than $727,885.47 in the Worthington area. The grants range all the way from of $1,200 to several that were more than $100,000. These investments range from both male and female, from school age children, to families, middle-aged people and the elderly.

Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation, Inc. prefers to have other entities collaborate on a particular project. One of our early projects in 2009 involved collaboration with the Round Lake- Brewster School District, the city of Round Lake, and Farley’s & Sathers Candy Co. The project was called “Fit for Life,” and the purpose of this project was to start a fitness center in the Round Lake School. The foundation helped to underwrite the cost of buying used exercise equipment. The foundation’s board of directors felt this project fit the mission statement of the foundation and awarded a grant. Due to this grant, the Round Lake-Brewster community now has two fitness centers available. Together, Round Lake- Brewster currently has 108 active members. These two facilities are self-sustaining through memberships.

Another example of collaboration would be the “In-School Flu Shot Program.” For the past three years, Avera Medical Group Worthington and Sanford Worthington Medical Center, along with the Worthington Independent School District 518, have administered free flu shots to any student that wishes to have one. According to Kelli Van Grouw, Avera’s clinic manager, “It can only be hoping from our staff and providers that the school flu shot program is being effective in reducing the number of flu-related sicknesses we are seeing during the flu season. I also think the attendance records at the schools speak for themselves and allowing schools to stay in session without large absent numbers”

Worthington Regional Healthcare Foundation has identified two programs that are worthy of annual funding.

The first program is a nursing scholarship grant given to six individuals currently taking classes at the Minnesota West community and Technical College here in Worthington. Each spring, three individuals taking their licensed practical nurses program each receive a $2,000 scholarship. Then, in the fall, three individuals taking the registered nurse program each receive a $2,000 scholarship.

The second program the board felt was worthy of continuously supporting is the Health Care Professional Scholarship. This scholarship program is open to any current health care professional employed in the Worthington region wishing to advance his/her current certification or degree. The new professional level must show a direct benefit to his/her future as a student or in employment in the Worthington health care arena. Significant consideration will be given to candidates showing a commitment to the Worthington area after their program is completed. The foundation will award six scholarships yearly, with a maximum value of $2,000 per recipient.

Other grants given in these past four years were to the Helping Hands Pregnancy Center to help prevent teenage pregnancies and the District 518 school nurse program (the foundation underwrites the cost of one additional school nurse). A grant was also awarded to the District 518 refugee student program, and a donation made to the YMCA Stingray team for a six-lane touchpad timing system. A XerPro sport wall was also donated to the YMCA. Other grants include: Friends of the Auditorium for a dance program; Worthington Youth Hockey Association; The Center (for programming), District 518 (exercise equipment) and the city of Worthington’s Parks Department (playground equipment).

The Worthington Regional Health care Foundation Inc. is proud of the fact that the foundation has retained the original principle and has spent only the interest, assuring that the foundation will be around for many years to come.

On behalf of the board of directors of the foundation, I hope this article gives the general public a better picture as to the purpose of the foundation and how it using its funds.

Worthington Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc. was organized and is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. It is for the health and education of the people of Worthington area. It has the power to receive funds and property of any kind and nature through purchase, lease, grant, bequest or otherwise. Your gifts are deeply appreciated and are tax deductible.

Robert S. Demuth Jr. is the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc. executive director.

Established in 1983, the foundation was initiated by some concerned citizens. The foundation was initially affiliated with the city-owned hospital but has since taken its own direction.

The foundation received $5.4 million in 2008 as a result of the sale of the Southwest Minnesota Radiation Center, as well as the sale of the Worthington Regional Hospital to Sanford Health.

The mission statement of Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation is “to promote and facilitate operations in favor of health and education to the residents of Worthington and the surrounding area.”

The purpose of this writing is to inform the public as to how the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc. has made an impact on Worthington and the surrounding communities by granting money to various 501 (C-3) organizations and individuals.

Since June of 2008, Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc. has invested more than $727,885.47 in the Worthington area. The grants range all the way from of $1,200 to several that were more than $100,000. These investments range from both male and female, from school age children, to families, middle-aged people and the elderly.

Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation, Inc. prefers to have other entities collaborate on a particular project. One of our early projects in 2009 involved collaboration with the Round Lake- Brewster School District, the city of Round Lake, and Farley’s & Sathers Candy Co. The project was called “Fit for Life,” and the purpose of this project was to start a fitness center in the Round Lake School. The foundation helped to underwrite the cost of buying used exercise equipment. The foundation’s board of directors felt this project fit the mission statement of the foundation and awarded a grant. Due to this grant, the Round Lake-Brewster community now has two fitness centers available. Together, Round Lake- Brewster currently has 108 active members. These two facilities are self-sustaining through memberships.

Another example of collaboration would be the “In-School Flu Shot Program.” For the past three years, Avera Medical Group Worthington and Sanford Worthington Medical Center, along with the Worthington Independent School District 518, have administered free flu shots to any student that wishes to have one. According to Kelli Van Grouw, Avera’s clinic manager, “It can only be hoping from our staff and providers that the school flu shot program is being effective in reducing the number of flu-related sicknesses we are seeing during the flu season. I also think the attendance records at the schools speak for themselves and allowing schools to stay in session without large absent numbers”

Worthington Regional Healthcare Foundation has identified two programs that are worthy of annual funding.

The first program is a nursing scholarship grant given to six individuals currently taking classes at the Minnesota West community and Technical College here in Worthington. Each spring, three individuals taking their licensed practical nurses program each receive a $2,000 scholarship. Then, in the fall, three individuals taking the registered nurse program each receive a $2,000 scholarship.

The second program the board felt was worthy of continuously supporting is the Health Care Professional Scholarship. This scholarship program is open to any current health care professional employed in the Worthington region wishing to advance his/her current certification or degree. The new professional level must show a direct benefit to his/her future as a student or in employment in the Worthington health care arena. Significant consideration will be given to candidates showing a commitment to the Worthington area after their program is completed. The foundation will award six scholarships yearly, with a maximum value of $2,000 per recipient.

Other grants given in these past four years were to the Helping Hands Pregnancy Center to help prevent teenage pregnancies and the District 518 school nurse program (the foundation underwrites the cost of one additional school nurse). A grant was also awarded to the District 518 refugee student program, and a donation made to the YMCA Stingray team for a six-lane touchpad timing system. A XerPro sport wall was also donated to the YMCA. Other grants include: Friends of the Auditorium for a dance program; Worthington Youth Hockey Association; The Center (for programming), District 518 (exercise equipment) and the city of Worthington’s Parks Department (playground equipment).

The Worthington Regional Health care Foundation Inc. is proud of the fact that the foundation has retained the original principle and has spent only the interest, assuring that the foundation will be around for many years to come.

On behalf of the board of directors of the foundation, I hope this article gives the general public a better picture as to the purpose of the foundation and how it using its funds.

Worthington Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc. was organized and is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. It is for the health and education of the people of Worthington area. It has the power to receive funds and property of any kind and nature through purchase, lease, grant, bequest or otherwise. Your gifts are deeply appreciated and are tax deductible.

Robert S. Demuth Jr. is the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation Inc. executive director.

Tags: opinion, columns, worthington, health