The Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation Board met on Tuesday evening for the first meeting of the 2013 year with Board Vice-Chair Tom Eads presiding.


Board Member Linda Kennebeck reported on the progress of the indoor beautification project for Wright Memorial Hospital. She announced that local photographer Dave Wright has agreed to take scenic photos of the region to be placed throughout the facility. For a $1,000 donation, scenes from throughout Grundy, Daviess, Mercer, Sullivan and Harrison counties are available for sponsorship. Proceeds from the project will be used for the on-going beautification plan at Wright Memorial Hospital. Donor recognition of each piece will be displayed near the sponsored photo selected. Mrs. Kennebeck suggested this program as a great way to honor a loved one, recognize a club or organization, business sponsorship or give as an individual’s children or grandchildren a timeless gift that will be displayed for decades. Mr. Wright met with the Foundation Board and displayed several of the suggested pieces for inclusion in the pictorial display.
WMH Foundation Development Officer Matt Osterthun gave a report on the social event titled “109 Plus Two” scheduled for Friday evening, April 12th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The event will honor 109 years of health care services to the region plus celebrate the two-year anniversary of the new Wright Memorial. Osterthun noted that the event will feature the official groundbreaking of the walking trail and memorial garden. Reservations are requested and a $25.00 donation is desired. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting will be presented by Trenton Hy-Vee Food Store. The key note speaker will be Mr. Scott Martin, staff pharmacist for Wright Memorial.
Osterthun distributed a progress report on the walking trail and memorial garden capital campaign. To date, $100,899.42 has been raised for the campaign – enough to begin construction on the project this spring. Osterthun shared progress drawings courtesy of Ellison-Auxier Architects, Inc. of St. Joseph, recently hired architects to design the trail and garden. A brick and tile program is also being designed and will be officially launched at the groundbreaking ceremony in April. Osterthun also presented the various naming opportunities available including benches, trees, and sitting areas along the trail and the levels of giving proposed.
The board approved earmarking the proceeds from the upcoming Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Tournament set for Friday, June 14th at the Riverside Country Club in Trenton. The project selected for purchase is a new SARA (Standing And Raising Aid) Lift for the med-surgical and rehabilitation services department at Wright Memorial.
Hospital CEO Gary Jordan discussed Medicaid expansion and how it will affect the hospital. Mr. Jordan also shared financial and patient access to the clinic improvements.
The next meeting of the Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation Board will be held on June 18th and will include the annual business meeting of the Foundation Board.
Article submitted by Matt Ostertuhn