Capital Campaign Update
If you have driven by the site of the new hospital you not only see the progress of the new hospital, but now you can also see the progress made on the Era of Caring capital campaign. Rooks County Health Center erected the Era of Caring Thermometers signs, showing how much has been raised for the capital campaign. These signs stand in front of the existing hospital as well as at the site of the new one.
The signs are the work of Joe Dreiling, his Woods Class at Plainville High School and Julie Becker, art teacher at Plainville Grade School, with the help of students Miranda Williams, Jillie Ganoung and Tyler Compton. Farm Implement donated the stakes, Bob Rudman and Blaine Pfaff erected the signs. These community minded individuals donated their time to this project in order for the public to see the incredible progress made with the capital campaign thus far.
Hospital volunteers conceived the capital campaign in 2006. The “Era of Caring” campaign officially kicked off in April 2007. When employees and volunteers of RCH began raising money to help offset some of the expenses of capital equipment needs, they never imagined the breadth of the positive effect.
The campaign to date has brought in over $620,000 of the $1,215,000 in pledges. That’s just under the halfway mark of our $1.5 million goal. New state of the art surgical equipment has been purchased, land preparation has been completed and RCH is well on its way to moving into the new 59,000 square foot building in July 2008.
Due to the generosity of hundreds of people, the hospital will soon be able to continue purchasing some of the equipment needed in the new facility. These gifts allow RCH to not have to borrow additional funds or use money from the general operating budget.
“We’re all so excited,” committee organizer Kathy Ramsay said. “It’s really humbling to see the response to the requests. The hospital needs support for these programs. It’ll be so much more comfortable to have new beds and chairs for patients and their families. Patients feel more secure and confident in their care if things aren’t falling apart.”
Several individuals and couples donated enough to complete an entire room or department. Francis Unrein, who was the hospital’s first pharmacist in 1955, and his son, Keith Unrein, who provided pharmacy service for many years at RCH, are sponsoring the Pharmacy in the new hospital. Ron Gilliland, who was a member of the hospitals Board of Directors for over nine years, and his wife, Mary Lou, who has been a past officer and continues to be an active member of the hospital auxiliary for many years, are donating towards the Gift Shop and a patient’s room. Ruby Mosher’s donation will be used for the Helicopter Pad in memory of her spouse Gail Mosher. And, most recently a patient room in memory of Christopher Fellhoelter has been donated by his grandparents.
Loren and Clarene Goodheart have donated towards landscaping of the new hospital. Loren was a hospital board member for many years. Both Loren and Clarene voluntarily serve on the campaign leadership committee. Stahl Products is considering its options on a naming opportunity with their generous annual donation the past two years. The list goes on and on. Additionally, many have pledged to give annually for the next five years.
The capital campaign leadership committee didn’t limit their fundraising efforts to residents and local businesses. Ramsay said hospital vendors – equipment and service companies – have been approached about donating to the campaign. We hope some will consider what this hospital does for them.
“Without this type of support, it would be difficult to do all these things,” Ramsay said. “This support allows us to meet the county’s medical needs. We want to make a hospital stay more pleasant.”
Ramsay said hospital employees and local businesses have bolstered the capital campaign as well. Over $33,000 has been given through the voluntary payroll deduction program. Memorial donations in memory or in honor of a loved one have also increased. This past 6 months over 17 memorials have been given to the hospital.
“Participating is an act of the heart. It’s not the amount that is contributed, but the fact that people participate.” Ramsay said. “Participants take pride in helping this county be better by supporting an effort that affects so many.”
The hospital has purchased rolling bedside laptop computers for in-room registration. The medication dispensing system, which will allow for safer medication distribution and reduce the risk for medication errors, is in the process of being ordered. A new computer system, which already allows doctors to access patient histories 24 hours a day, also increases the quality of care.
But, the furnishings are just one piece of the puzzle that will help the overall hospital experience improve. There are extensive plans for improving service. “Efficiency and employee-patient satisfaction are just two more features we expect to improve,” Ramsay said.
The hospital also expects to add Occupational Therapy this year and add another Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistant in 2008. RCH is also looking into an Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program.
If you, your family or your business would like to help with this countywide project, please contact Kathy Ramsay at 785-434-4553, Ext. 288.