VitalSigns Winter 2012

Visit: www.mcmcbr.com

MCMC Foundation Board

Art AdlemanNancy BaldwinCarman BeanDave BorthSam DaughertySharon DoxseeDena DuranteBob EmersonTom HogensonJoe HohenbergerDolores HoranDr. Michelle Johnston Jerena KeysJune KilmerDr. Peter MacdonaldSteve MillerSheila NeroWayne O’NeilDr. Dave NicolBarb PillsburyJulie TetsworthDelores “Dee” VanHornScott WhitneyGail Wyatt

VITALSIGNS is published by the MCMC Foundation.Editor: Tom HogensonWriter: Debra JacksPhotographer: Nicole LeyderDesigner: Cassie Fossitt231.592.4409www.mcmcbr.com©2012 VITALSIGNS

Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Mecosta County Medical Center and its mission of “advanced care with a personal touch.”

MCMC Foundation Staff

Tom Hogenson, Executive DirectorDebra Jacks, Director of Planned Giving and DevelopmentNicole Leyder, Foundation Coordinator

605 Oak StreetBig Rapids, MI 49307-2048

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Together We Provide “Advanced Care with a Personal Touch”Maintaining the highest standard of care at Mecosta County Medical Center is a challenging task that benefits from the generosity of our friends and area businesses and organizations. Please consider a gift to help with the renovation of our Birthing Center to give babies and mothers the best possible care.

If you are interested in other MCMC areas that have helped you or your family or friends, please consider a gift to one of the following funds:

Medical Center Focused Funds:

General Fund: Supports MCMC services and helps to meet areas of greatest need

Equipment Fund: Purchases healthcare technology and medical service equipment

Physician-directed Fund: Supports projects and programs of the MCMC Medical Staff

Department-focused Funds:

Birthing Center Fund: Supports breast feeding education, equipment and staff development

Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Fund: Provides equipment and education

Digital Mammography Fund: Supports the digital mammography system

Emergency Department Fund: Provides nursing education and emergency equipment

Home Health Care Fund: Provides resources for home health services

Inpatient Rehabilitation Fund: Provides equipment and training

Kempton Center for Women Fund: Supports the Kempton Center

Medical Imaging Fund: Supports equipment and training

Surgical Services Fund: Provides equipment and training

Wheatlake Center Fund: Supports the Wheatlake Center

Named Funds:

Kristi Bergelin Andres Endowment Fund: Supports the coping with cancer and nutrition collections of the lending library of the Wheatlake Center

John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall - Wheatlake Center Men’s Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund: Supports cancer and wellness resources for men

Mecosta County Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment Fund: Supports Mecosta Health Services of Canadian Lakes (MHS-CL), a department of Mecosta County Medical Center, which serves the health care needs of families at all stages of life

Susan P. Wheatlake Women’s Cancer and Wellness Fund: Provides local cancer and wellness resources

If you have questions regarding how to make or direct your gift to a specific purpose at Mecosta County Medical Center, please contact Tom Hogenson at 592.4409 or [email protected] or Debra Jacks at 592.4327 or [email protected].

New Foundation Board Directors Announced

The Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation is pleased to welcome new directors to its Board. Mr. Art Adleman, Chair of the Mecosta County Commission, Dr. Michelle Johnston, Dean of the Ferris State University College of Education and Human Services and Dr. Dave Nicol, Dean of the Ferris State University College

of Business have all accepted three year appointments. Mr. Adleman, a retired manager for Picker International, is the liaison between the Mecosta County Commission and the Mecosta County Medical Center Board of Trustees and has served as a Medical Center trustee and as a member of the Mecosta Health

Services Board. Dr. Johnston has been an active participant in Foundation events and activities and is a member of the Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Walk and 5K Committee. Dr. Nicol is a member of the Mecosta County Medical Center Board and will serve as its liaison to the Foundation.

Winter 2012 EDITION


Birthing Center Renovation Moving ForwardWelcoming a baby is a wonderful experience for families. Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends all help to ensure that the new arrival has the care and the environment that will provide baby (or sometimes, babies) with a healthy and happy beginning. Painting the nursery, stocking up on diapers, buying those adorable clothes and dreaming of the little one’s future – it’s all part of the delight that comes with the birth of a child.

Nurses at the Birthing Center at Mecosta County Medical Center share this meaningful event with hundreds of families each year. Staffing our facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 a year, these skilled and well-prepared healthcare professionals are registered nurses, many of whom have continued their educations to earn bachelors and masters degrees. The current nurses have an average of 18 years experience and are continually updating and enhancing their knowledge base and certifications in specialized areas such as neonatal resuscitation, fetal heart monitoring and lactation.

From the pre-admission meeting though all the stages of labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum, nurses focus their attention on the emotional and physical well-being of the mother. They also assist parents to create a healthy, secure bond with their child. Childbirth education, sibling classes and breastfeeding classes are offered to enable parents to prepare themselves and their families for the experience as well as the changes that accompany the arrival of a baby.

The Medical Center opened its redesigned obstetrical care unit as the Birthing Center in 1995. Serving the needs of west central Michigan, the facility was planned to accommodate minimally 500 births a year. The reputation of its well established and growing physicians’ practice and the highly educated nursing staff has contributed to the significant increase in births at MCMC with as many as 700 births each year. This heightened usage coupled with patients’ and caregivers’ needs, required a reconfiguration of space. Standards of care and technology enable babies to stay in their mother’s room permitting nurses to assess, facilitate and teach families in preparation for their new lives together. The traditional nursery setting is still available for babies who require special care such as phototherapy, antibiotics or breathing assistance and for times when new mothers need quiet time for sleep and recovery.

“Our Birthing Center nurses have a passion for helping mothers experience the incredible achievement and joy that arrives with a new baby. They also are compassionate in their caring for families who suffer a loss or who are challenged by complications.”

- Betsy Workman, MCMC Birthing Center Director

Please join us in supporting this important renovation. The Birthing Center project will be funded by private gifts through the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation, grants and Medical Center funds. For more information about how you can help with this project, please contact Tom Hogenson at 592.4409 or [email protected] or Debra Jacks at 592.4327 or [email protected].

Welcoming baby are Deb Bush, RNC and Mark, Danielle, Abbie and Maximus Debano.

The Auxiliary of MCMC’s Community Block Party – Ice Cream Social was the perfect opportunity to check in on the children and grandchildren of our Birthing Center’s physicians, nurses and staff all of whom were born at the Center. Pictured: Back: Sean Higley, Kylie Purcell, Lauren Gray, Aiden McLaughlin, Justin Gray, Braden McCaman, Alec Jensen, Drew Jensen and Garrett Mohr. Middle: Liam McLaughlin, Giuliana Bush, Delaney McLaughlin, Heather Van Syckle, Luke Mohr and Anna Mohr. Front: Dr. Jack Parks with Morgan Parks, Dr. Sara Schugars with Abigail Davis, Michelle Flachs with Gunner Flachs and Mikel Sweet with Nolan Sweet.

“There is art and skill to nursing. In the Birthing Center, our nurses make good use of both in monitoring the health and changing conditions of mothers and babies.”

- Netty Cove, MCMC Chief Clinical Officer


Kristi Bergelin Andres Endowment FundMecosta County Medical Center Foundation is assisting Susan Thomson Hamer in honoring her lifelong friend, Kristi Bergelin Andres, who passed away March 9, 2010. Kristi was a resident of the Big Rapids community who retired as the manager of the trade book department of the Ferris State University Lundberg Bookstore. She was a very active community member serving as treasurer of the Friends of the Big Rapids Public Library, as a member of the Medical Center Auxiliary, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the Mecosta County Historical Society and as an active advocate and volunteer for the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center.

Honoring a friendship that began as two little girls growing up in Big Rapids and continued through the events of their building lives and families, Mrs. Hamer is celebrating their friendship by helping others in Kristi’s name. Funding from this Endowment Fund will be used for the support of the coping with cancer and nutrition collections in the lending library of the Wheatlake Center. Materials purchased with funds from this Endowment will be identified as gifts from the Kristi Bergelin Andres Endowment Fund.

For more information about the Andres Endowment, please contact Debra Jacks, Director of Planned Giving and Fund Development for the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation at 231.592.4327 or [email protected].

Mecosta County Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment When considering a permanent move to Canadian Lakes, Sheila Nero appreciated everything about the development, its residents and the Mecosta County area. She had only one concern. This former resident of Chicago and New York City was accustomed to the amenities of urban living – one of which was top quality health care. Sheila soon learned that Mecosta County Medical Center was able to meet her needs and in fact, was willing to come to her community with the opening of the Mecosta Health Services Canadian Lakes Office in 1999.

“Having lived in major cities all of my life, I was drawn to the peaceful tranquility of Canadian Lakes and all that the development and surrounding communities offered. My one concern was that I would not have convenient access to the level of health care that I require today and additionally, what I may require in the future,” Sheila commented. She continued, “Like many people who move to a new area, I was reluctant to give up my doctors. It was a gradual process. I eventually made the switch and could not be more pleased. In my evaluation of the situation, I learned that Mecosta County Medical Center could meet my needs and in fact, had the medical staff and facilities to meet the needs of 97 percent of all those who seek treatment at their facilities.”

Family and friends gathered to celebrate the establishment of the Kristi Bergelin Andres Endowment Fund, (back row, left to right) Melissa Andres, Steve Andres, Susan Wheatlake and Loren Andres, (front row) Dave Borth, Susan Thomson Hamer and Tom Hogenson.

“I dedicate this Endowment to my lifelong friend, Kristi. We learned much together; shared more; and loved the natural things in life. Thank you for your perspicacity, your uncommon and saliferous wit, your dedication to family and community, your quiet courage, and your abundant heart. Most of all, thank you for your friendship. It is a treasure.” - Susan Thomson Hamer

Planning for the new Endowment are MCMC Foundation Executive Director Tom Hogenson, Executive Director of Mecosta Health Services Laurie Schafer and Foundation Board Director and Endowment founder, Sheila Nero.

Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation Event Calendar

May 17, 2012 Birthing Center Open House

Mecosta County Medical Center

May 19, 2012 Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Walk and 5K

Big Rapids Middle School

June 23, 2012 Wheatlake Charity Golf Outing The Rose Golf Course, LeRoy

August 14, 2012 13th Annual Ford Club of Canadian Lakes Golf Outing

St. Ives Golf Club, Canadian Lakes

For more information about event participation or sponsorships, please contact Foundation Coordinator Nicole Leyder at 231.592.4280 or

[email protected].

Now in her second term of service as a director of Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation, Sheila has established the Mecosta County Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment Fund. “MCMC showed their commitment to the residents of Canadian Lakes by opening a medical center within our community. The building was designed to accommodate expansion and as our needs grow, it is important to ensure that the services grow with us. This medical practice serves the health care needs of families at all stages of life,” Sheila explained. “I want to help provide a source of continuing support for this important asset in my community. I hope more Canadian Lakes residents will become members of what I like to think of as the MCMC Foundation Family and donate to this endowment which exclusively benefits the MCMC Canadian Lakes facility.”

For more information about making a gift to the Mecosta County Medical Center Canadian Lakes Endowment, please contact Debra Jacks at 231.592.4327 or [email protected].


John E. Hall and Scott W. HallWheatlake Center Men’s Cancerand Wellness Endowment FundMecosta County Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall - Wheatlake Center Men’s Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund. The investment earnings from this Endowment will be used to support cancer and wellness offerings for men at the Wheatlake Center.

“From my perspective, the John E. Hall and Scott W. Hall Cancer and Wellness Endowment Fund is uniquely positioned to provide men a place where they can go to get information and support for probably the most tense and frightful time in their lives,” stated Fred Hall, one of the

June Kilmer is the first person to greet participants at the annual Ford Club of Canadian Lakes Golf Outing to benefit the Mecosta County Medical Center held each year at St. Ives Golf Course. And by her side is her husband, Joe, whom she has known since the third grade and with whom she has celebrated 64 wonderful years of marriage and the birth of six children and six grandchildren. June and Joe are active members of the Ford Club of Canadian Lakes. She was a personnel representative at Ford responsible for managing the records of 120,000 employees. Following three years of service in the United States Air Force in the Pacific, graduating from Wayne State University and beginning his career at Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline, Joe was actively recruited by Ford. He said yes to the company on its sixth offer. The couple knew that they had made the right decision in waiting. On his first day in his new job, the first piece of paper that he touched bore the signature of June’s father who happened to be the corporate attorney for the railroad which supplied transportation services for the Ford products!

June resumed her studies after the birth of her children. Her time management skills were critical as she juggled family responsibilities and classes at Wayne State University where she earned her bachelors and masters degree in business and distributive education and was a member of the national honorary fraternity, Delta Pi Epsilon. She taught in the Farmington Public Schools as a substitute business teacher on contract for three years, then served for sixteen years as its marketing coordinator placing students in cooperative education business sites and monitoring their experiences. She was the first woman to become a member of the Farmington Rotary Club and when she moved to Canadian Lakes, she repeated that accomplishment as the first woman to be asked to join the Big Rapids Rotary Club. Additionally, June has provided marketing consulting services to Ohio State University, Northern Illinois University, Michigan State University and the State of Michigan Department of Education.

An active member of the Canadian Lakes community, June served on the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation Board. At one of these meetings, she was approached by Bob Fulmer and asked to consider applying for an appointment as a trustee for the Medical Center. That

conversation led to her contributing her leadership skills for eight years which included helping to guide the very successful emergency room and operating room expansion project that was completed in 2005. She felt a special connection to this project because she was one of the last patients to be treated in the original facility. June also served on the Mecosta Health Services Board from 2002 to 2008.

“Shortly after completing my service on the Medical Center Board of Trustees, I was asked to join the Medical Center Foundation Board,” June explained. “Joe and I share the experience that each of us has been treated for cardiac arrest at MCMC. I had such positive feelings about the health care provided by its physicians and staff that it seemed natural to want to help develop additional resources to support that care.”

When nominated for election to the office of treasurer of the Foundation, June thought that this was a role where she could use her financial and business background to contribute to the goals of the organization. “I’m enjoying my work on the Foundation Board. The community support for our projects has been excellent,” June said. She continued, “Both new and long time residents are surprised about the medical professionals available and the services that the Medical Center offers. Having the opportunity to share this information with my Canadian Lakes community as well as residents of the region is very rewarding.”

In Memoriam

The Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation expresses its deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Leland Hickox, a retired physician who served the medical needs of the area for many years, beginning in the era of house calls and home deliveries. During his tenure, he saved countless lives, held many hands in times of distress and was dedicated to the compassionate pursuit of medical excellence. Dr. Hickox was honored in 2007 by the MCMC Foundation with a Northern Lights Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Services and Health.

June and Joe Kilmer (center) accept appreciation for their generous support by Cindy and Karl Linebaugh, Honorary Chairs of MCMC Foundation’s “They Deserve the Best” Digital Mammography Campaign.

Making it official are (front left to right) MCMC Foundation Chair Dave Borth, Susan Hall, Fred Hall, Gabe Hall, Susan Wheatlake and MCMC Foundation Executive Director Tom Hogenson, (back left to right) Bret Wheatlake, Sean Hall, Rick Hall, Max Brims, Shannon Hall Brims, Rylee Brims and Drew Wheatlake.

Endowment founders. Mr. Hall continued “Women already have a great resource to assist them with their cancer prognosis. Men do not. This Endowment will help fill that void.”

The Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center at Mecosta County Medical Center helps women, men, children, families and caregivers in our region who are affected by a cancer diagnosis. Visitors to the Wheatlake Center have access to its lending library and Wellness Boutique as well as other cancer and wellness services. The generosity of individuals and businesses has helped to ensure that the materials and support provided to patients and their families are current and meet their needs for information and assistance as they battle their disease.

“We are grateful to have this new source of assistance for cancer patients with specific focus on the needs of men in our community,” commented MCMC Foundation Executive Director Tom Hogenson. “The outreach of the Wheatlake Center has actively supported women’s cancer and wellness services. It is encouraging to now have a Fund that addresses the cancer and wellness needs of men.”

For more information regarding this Endowment, please contact Debra Jacks at 592.4327 or [email protected].

June Kilmer – Local Health Care Advocate

VitalSigns Winter 2012

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