Health

Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation holds 2nd Legacy Honors Awards – vintontoday.com

Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation celebrated those in our community who have made significant impacts in philanthropy, service, and support of VGH at the 2nd Annual Legacy Honors Awards ceremony. Honorees at the event were Mary Barkdoll, Leona Dulin, Trudy Purdy, Jane Schminke accepting the award in memory of Dean Schminke, Don Eells, Trent and Dawn Packingham, Dr. Brian Meeker, John Ketchen and Mark Mossman. Guest speaker and presenting the awards was retired CEO Michael J. Riege, traveling from Arizona and giving an entertaining, personal, and engaging account of each honoree’s contributions.

Virginia Gay Hospital appreciates the commitment, volunteerism, and the philanthropy that our community provides, allowing us to advance the quality of healthcare services that make sense for those we serve.

Mary Barkdoll has made a commitment to help raise awareness of early breast cancer detection and raising thousands of dollars over the years to support Gifts of Hope a fund that provides access to free mammograms, annual women’s health visits and funds to support a breast cancer diagnosis. At the event Mary presented a check from Clipper Corner to Gifts of Hope for $2030, exceeding her goal by hundreds of dollars. We are exceedingly grateful.

Leona Dulin and Trudy Purdy are responsible for the materials department and together have 82 years of service with the hospital. During the pandemic of 2020, they rose to the challenges of procuring personal protective equipment and kept all departments of VGH supplied. Organizations like Virginia Gay depend on staff members with extensive experience and dedication, qualities Leona and Trudy have provided for decades.

Dean Schminke is honored for his service with VGH Farm Committee, a dedicated steward of the land, community, and people. We remember Dean for his generosity of spirit, calm demeanor, wisdom, and willingness to do whatever was needed to serve everyone he could help.

Don Eells served on VGH Health Care Foundation board from 2004 to 2022, during his tenure, he was chair of the board from 2010 to 2019. With his leadership over $4 million had been raised supporting the 2004 expansion project, 2006 hospital renovation project and 2015 clinic expansion project.

Trent and Dawn Packingham have made significant impact for VGH through their commitment in philanthropy providing updates for the four clinic wait areas, supporting the purchase of Imprivata which is a quicker login/logout scan system provider and nursing staff, contributions with expansion projects and their generous contributions to the annual Tree of Lights campaign.

Dr. Brian Meeker joined Virginia Gay in 1992. Virginia Gay faced significant trials during the early years of his practice, and he was instrumental in the hospital’s success in sustainability and survival. Through advanced training and maintaining the highest professional standards, Dr. Meeker and the team he assembled at VGH have recorded the lowest incidence of colon cancer deaths among counties in Iowa. Dr. Meeker was recently elected as the 2022 President of the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association.

John Ketchen served Virginia Gay Hospital board for 29 years and chair of the board from 2019 to 2021. During his service 4 family medical clinics were either acquired or built, and expansion and/or renovation projects were completed in 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2015. John has a tremendous commitment to the people of our community and family.

Mark Mossman served the Virginia Gay Hospital board for 25 years and was chair of the board from 2004 to 2019. During his service 4 family medical clinics were either acquired or built, and expansion and/or renovation projects completed in 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2015. Mark’s commitment aligned with Virginia Gay Hospital mission to provide access to the best quality of care for those we serve in our community.

Virginia Gay is blessed and thankful, it is our community that helps us to thrive and strive to provide quality healthcare services. It is our honor to celebrate those who make a difference and provide an impact.