foundation focus

stormontvail.org

Spring 2018

Wienckowskis Chair 2018 BIG HEARTS Golf TournamentA 35-year career with Colgate Palmolive gave Rick and Sue Wienckowski the opportunity to live all around the world. The couple has spent time in New England, New York, California, Toronto and in the east African country of Kenya.

But when the time came to pick a place to call home, they chose Topeka.The Wienckowskis moved to Topeka in 1995 when Rick became chief financial officer for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a Colgate Palmolive subsidiary. By the time he was offered a new position a few years later, the pair had decided they didn’t want to leave.

“We found there were a great many things a smaller city offered,” Rick said. “Certainly we made good friends and those relationships were important to us, but what we were most impressed with was the level of community engagement.”

Adopting that attitude, the Wienckowskis have been involved with numerous local organizations, and Rick has taken on leadership roles at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, Go Topeka and the Topeka Chamber of Commerce. In January, he was named chairman of the Stormont Vail Health board of directors.

“I don’t think many truly appreciate how fortunate we are to have a community-based health system like Stormont Vail,” Rick said. “The Mayo Clinic Care Network affiliation, Magnet designation, and other accolades speak to the quality of services and commitment to bringing the best in health care to our region.”

“But it’s the culture that elevates patient safety and exceptional care that makes Stormont Vail truly special,” he continued. “It permeates throughout the organization and stems from the notion of neighbors caring for neighbors.”

In order to further support this work, the Wienckowskis will be the honorary co-chairs for Stormont Vail Foundation’s 2018 BIG HEARTS Golf Tournament. This year’s event, set for Sept. 17 at the Topeka Country Club, will benefit oncology services.

Rick said both he and Sue are avid golfers and have played in the tournament for many years. While they look forward to a great day on the course, the couple’s primary focus is raising support for the Foundation.

“We hope our involvement encourages others to participate in the tournament or give to the Foundation in another way,” Rick said. “We think it’s important that people know that the funds raised are invested in community health care and that their contributions truly do make a difference.”

See page 2 for information on becoming a BIG HEARTS Golf Tournament sponsor.

Rick and Sue Wienckowski

James Merle Abel*Barbara Adams*Rev. Keith E. Akins*Gerald and Kenney

Anderson*Dr. Rohit AswaniDean and Betty

Ayres*Lloyd Ballou*George Bardsley*Mary Ellen Bauerle*Charles Beardsley*Bernie BeckerDanny Beckwith*Shirley L. Bingham*Opal Bird*Margaret Black*Blakey*Nancy Blankley*Juanita BreedingGloria Brockhoff*James Bundy*Nick and Lucille

Calabrese*George W. Clark*Rev. James Floyd

Coder*Ann Conley*Carol Cook*Francis Cooper*Carolyn Corrick*Ellen Criqui*

Donald Davis*Marilyn R. Decker*Frances V. Dembicki*Marcia Yvonne Diehl*Paul J. Dixon Jr.*Dr. Josel DoyleDuane L. Dreyer*Ruth Drury*Marlene EicherRandall Ellis*Daniel Etzel*Bettie Evans*Janice FerdonBetty Pope FincherAlice Fischer*Gary Fleenor*Rex Flentie*Gladys Florence*Dennis Ford*Bob Frealy*Larry Freel*Rita M. Freeman*Carl Fritz*Ruth Gardner*Mary Corbett GentryMichael Goodhue*Gary Gordon*Michael Groce*Dr. Sunil GutruRenard Hagerman*Gary L. Haflich*Kevin Han

Gary Hazelton*Ray HaukeCharlotte Hetchens-

Hysten*Jewel Horn*Ruby Hottman*Diana Huber*Renee HuntJohanna Hylton*Sally JenningsBeverly Johnson*Bruce Johnson*Dr. Clif JonesJune M. Jones*Marti Kearney*Nancy KelleyDr. Robert KenagyMichael Claude

Kennedy*Jim KilmartinRichard Kinder*Stanley Z. Koplik*Mary Krainbill*Annie Kramer*Margaret Kramer*Arma Jean LeBeau*Cindy Light’s Mother

and Mother-In-Law*

Mabel Lindsay*Layton Long*Clifford Lowe*

Dr. Raymond LumbStephen Maassen*Jane MackeyMerle Marsh*Fredrick Massey*Donald Ray McAfee*Edward McGill*Heinrich Mehrens*Louis T. Mello*Gene Meyer*Stephanie MeyersHarold E. Miller*Albert S. Moore*Dr. Heather MorganDavid Murphy*Dr. Maria NavarroLeatrice Noriega*Dr. Robert O’Neil*Ellen Page-CooleyEric A. Palmberg*Dr. and Mrs. Kent

PalmbergLola Parkerson*Dr. Hal ParrClyde Pasley*Steve Pence*Gary Peterson*Randy PetersonJanice L. Pfortmiller*Dr. Korri PhillipsMarilyn Pilcher*Ramona Powers*

Alice M. Priest*Karen Ranker*Galen W. Rapp*Carol David Reagan*Karen Reed-CoffmanCarol Rendell*Paul A. Rilinger*James C. Rivers, Jr.*Dorothy Roe*Theophil Ronnau*Alan Roop*Betty RoseDr. Doug RoseJanet RosebroughHumbert Emil

Rosetta*Debra SalsburyRobert Satzler*Dr. Michelle

SchierlingHarry Shafer*Charlene Shepard*Dr. Robert SidlingerRobert Sipes*Phyllis Sluder*Robert Smith*Alfred Spencer Sr.*Staff of the NICUJanet StanekTodd Steinebach*Lois Sterrett*Sandra Stewart*

Mary T. Stockman*Valent Swanson*Ellis Swarts*Algie Taylor-Grays*Joseph Terrill*Jo Nathan Thomas*Beverly Trundle*Larry Tucker*Robert VanHyning Jr.*Bobby Walker, Jr.*Betty Wallace*Steve and Lou

WanamakerDr. Steven WatkinsAndrew Weaver*Ruth Masters

Whitaker*Rowdy and Delyla

WhiteLouise Willbourn*Alison WilsonGerald Wiseman*Richard Wolfe*Betty Wood*Dana Wright*Dr. George WrightCharles Marvin

Wynne*Gayle Yancy*Gary Yocum*

*Indicates Deceased

Foundation Honor/Memorial List, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2018 BIG HEARTS Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from the tournament will assist patients and their families who receive services to treat, heal, prevent and cope with cancer, including radiation oncology equipment purchases at the Cotton O’Neil Cancer Center.

For more information, contact Tina Long at 785-354-5995 or visit stormontvail.org.

Donor Support Trains LifesaversEach year, thousands of children visit Stormont Vail Health – some in extreme distress. When that happens, staff need to be able to quickly respond. That degree of preparedness only comes from training.

One of the best ways to prepare is with a newborn/infant high fidelity simulator, according to Christy Crawford, director of the Birthplace at Stormont Vail.

“These simulators give staff experience through mock codes, surprise drills, ventilator scenarios, chest tube placement practice, and placement of medical devices during simulated emergencies,” she said. “That means, they can jump into action in a real emergency without hesitation.”

Thanks to donor generosity, Stormont Vail Health staff will continue to receive the training they need through the purchase of a new newborn/infant simulator.

Stormont Vail’s nine-year-old simulator

provided training opportunities for hundreds of staff members, but was broken beyond repair. Despite the hefty price tag of $42,229, Foundation donors were quick to pledge the funds needed to ensure a new simulator will be in place for training staff in pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, emergency, respiratory therapy, the Birthplace and the newborn nursery.

“We were delighted with the instant outpouring of support for this purchase,” said Amy Burns, Foundation president and executive director. “Certainly, their gifts will help to provide life-saving care to children in our community for years to come.”

To learn more about current Foundation projects, including the purchase of a sonogram machine to aid in the expansion of the Maternal Fetal Medicine project to Manhattan, please contact us at (785) 354-6851.

stormontvail.org

Grant Provides Emergency Dental CarePatients visiting Stormont Vail Health’s emergency department experiencing dental pain now have a new option for relief. A $6,000 grant through Topeka Community Foundation’s Healthy Lifestyles initiative will fund emergency dental care through the Marian Dental Clinic.

“Untreated dental problems can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia and premature birth – which require additional health care services,” said nurse manager Carolyn Jones, Emergency Department.

“Additionally, patients often experience a lower quality of life, poor eating and nutrition, weight loss and low levels of confidence and self-esteem.”

Each year some 1,000 patients visit Stormont Vail’s emergency department for dental pain. While the pain is treated, the underlying dental issue – which may involve an extraction or other dental work – is not. Through this pilot program, case managers will identify qualifying patients and provide them with vouchers for dental care at the Marian Dental Clinic. It is expected

once the dental condition is treated the patients will not return to the emergency department for pain management, thus easing use of hospital resources.

“We’re thankful to the Topeka Community Foundation for this grant and Marian Dental Clinic for their partnership on this program,” said Amy Burns, Stormont Vail Foundation president and executive director. “This is certainly a great example of collaboration to meet community need that can have a significant effect on health and well-being.”

Students Receive Palmberg, Smith ScholarshipsThe inaugural Kent E. Palmberg, MD Medical Student and Robert “Dean” Smith Endowed Technical Training scholarships have been awarded.

Andrew Myers, Topeka, is the recipient of the $500 Smith scholarship. He is currently a student at the Washburn Institute of Technology studying electrical

technology. Topekans James Doyle and Nathan Marshall, both fourth-year students at the University of Kansas Medical School, were each awarded a $5,000 Palmberg scholarship.

The Smith scholarship was established at the Foundation in memory of Dean Smith, director of design and construction at Stormont

Vail Health. The Palmberg scholarship honors Kent E. Palmberg, M.D., Stormont Vail’s former Chief Medical Officer and the 14th physician to join the Cotton O’Neil Medical Group. Both scholarships are offered annually. For criteria and application instructions visit stormontvail.org.

Best Charitable Gifts to Make a Difference in 2018With the introduction of the new tax law this year, you may be wondering how to maximize the benefits of your charitable gifts. Here are some smart ways you can make a difference at the Stormont Vail Foundation while enjoying financial benefits for yourself.

• Donate appreciated stock: A gift of your appreciated stock to the Foundation eliminates capital gains tax.

• Name the Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan:

These assets remain taxable when distributed to a loved one but are tax-free when given to a not-for-profit.

• Give from your IRA (if age 70½ or older): A gift from your IRA helps you fulfill your required minimum distribution and is not considered taxable income.

• Gifts of real estate: Appreciated real estate may be subject to capital gains tax unless donated to charity or transferred to a charitable trust.

Donors should consult with their tax

or financial advisors to determine their best charitable giving strategies. For additional information contact Amy Burns at (785) 354-6851.

Have you already made a gift to the Stormont Vail Foundation through your will or living trust, insurance policy or retirement plan? If so, please let us know your plans so we can thank you and welcome you to our Legacy Society.

stormontvail.org

1500 S.W. 10th Ave.Topeka, KS 66604-1353

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

US POSTAGEPAID

KANSAS CITY, MOPERMIT #735

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

If you do not want to receive future fundraising requests from the Stormont Vail Foundation, please return the mailing label in the enclosed envelope, or you can call 800-432-2951 Ext. 26851 and leave a message identifying yourself and stating that you do not want to receive fundraising requests. There is no requirement that you agree to accept fundraising communication from us, and we will honor your request not to receive any fundraising communications from us after the date we receive your notification.Stormont Vail Foundation Board of TrusteesKevin Hahn, DVM, chairpersonMiranda Carmona, vice chairperson

Amy Burns, presidentRandy Peterson, vice presidentAnne Wilson, secretaryKen Stone, treasurerPamela Johnson-Betts, ex officio

Ben ArtilesTara DimickNatalie HaagAmanda KieferJeff MartinMike MorseTom MorrisMaynard OliveriusKent Palmberg, MDPatty PressmanLyn RantzDan Richardson, DVMAngela SharpOlga SmithAndy TompkinsMick UrbanErrol WilliamsDoug WolffFoundation StaffLori FrankenTina LongDawna Merten

Connie Wagers

Wagers Receives Leadership AwardConnie Wagers, administrative director of medical imaging and laboratory services, is the 2017 Clyde Clifton Leadership Award recipient. A 16-year Stormont Vail Health employee, Wagers was recognized for her ability to motivate and encourage other employees to learn new skills and grow professionally. Wagers is active in the community,

serving as treasurer for the Race Against Breast Cancer, is a graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka and a past nominee for the YWCA Women of Excellence Award. She and her husband, Curtis, have three grown children, seven grandchildren, and have been foster parents.

Sponsored by the Stormont Vail Foundation, the Clyde Clifton Award honors its namesake, who served as Stormont Vail’s chief financial officer for more than 40 years. The award recognizes managers, supervisors, charge nurses and directors who demonstrate exemplary leadership characteristics.