Veterans Memorial Hospital unveils its new “Access for All” donor wall

Over $1.4 million was raised in that campaign, allowing the hospital to make all of its needed improvements in comfort for the patients and the physical facility. Hundreds of volunteers from the area communities took part in this campaign, making it the beautiful, accessible facility it is today.

Last Wednesday evening, Feb, 23, nearly 200 people attended the program, which included the unveiling of the granite and oak donor wall. Dave Martin, Campaign Chairman, as well as past Board of Trustees Chairman and Foundation Director, began the program, reflecting on this dream come true, especially the accessibility of the hospital to all patients.

“In the beginning planning of this campaign and project, we needed to decide what kind of a hospital we wanted,” stated Martin. “Incorporating the wellness features on healthcare has made the hospital and this campus facility a part of everyone’s life, from infant to elderly, and I think that is something that we rightfully should all be very proud of. Thank you to everyone, you all deserve the credit for this.”

Dennis Lyons, current Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and the President of the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation at the time of the campaign, added, “It has been seven years since we started this project, and my part was to lead the family campaign; the employees, staff, docs and board members. They needed to kick off the campaign to show the community we were serious about this building project. We were looking at a goal over $1 million which turned out to be nearly $1.5, and between one-third to one-half of that goal was raised in the family campaign. That is testament to the people that are employed here, and to our greater family, the people of Waukon and the surrounding areas, who support this.”

Lastly, Mike Myers, Administrator of Veterans Memorial Hospital, commented on his experience moving to Waukon just after the campaign had been completed. “I came here six-plus years ago and my first impression of the hospital was how clean it was, then I started to meet the people involved in this project and campaign and how committed everyone was to this,” he said. “Then they told me how much money had been raised for this project and how many people had worked on it, and I was amazed.”

Myers then attributed the work and dedication of a former employee of the hospital, Ingrid Dehli Hogan, L.P.N. for her passion towards caring for others and her vision by identifying the need for a Chapel in the facility. “Today we call it ‘patient focused care.’ Ingrid Dehli Hogan knew, without those words, that the patient came first. The patient is the focus of what we do and we earn our reputation on how we treat them. You can go anywhere to get treated, but you come here to be cared for.”

Myers added, “Ingrid knew that this health care business could be stressful and that people needed a place to get away. Ingrid’s family helped fulfill her dream of a hospital Chapel with their generosity.” The new Chapel has been dedicated to Ingrid and her work as the Patient Care and Review Coordinator for over 17 years at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The Chapel is available to individuals and families any time of the day.

Jay Erb, an employee of Kerndt Monument Works, designed and constructed the donor wall. At the top, a beautiful oak board, finished and donated by Dr. Louis Bray, and artistically designed by Jay Erb, portrays the hospital logo and the words “Access for All”, the name of the 1998 capital campaign. Jay Erb and John Kerndt, owner of Kerndt Monument works, unveiled the wall and wowed the crowd. It was the first time anyone had seen the wall. Myers called Erb a “true artist” for his unique design.

Those attending the reception were greeted by the current and former (since 1998) Veterans Memorial Healthcare Foundation Directors, the Campaign Steering Committee and the Hospital’s Board of Trustees.

Maintenance staff from the hospital drove a 12-passenger van, compliments of R.W. Pladsen, Inc., of Waukon, to shuttle the visitors from the Franciscan Skemp Clinic parking lot and the Zion United Church of Christ parking lot.

Alaine Meier, pianist, provided the musical entertainment that evening, while a power point picture show played continuously throughout the evening, showing the before and after construction pictures of every department. Hors d’oeuvres were catered by Quillin’s Food Ranch of Waukon and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nutrition Services Staff.