By Staff
ST. JOSEPH – Lakeland HealthCare is pleased to report that as of May 1, 4.8 million dollars have been raised towards a capital campaign goal of 5 million dollars.
Members of the Lakeland Health Foundation, St. Joseph/Benton Harbor have been raising funds over the past two years to support the cost of the new inpatient tower at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St Joseph.
"We are very grateful for the outstanding support from our community, local foundations, board members, physicians, construction partners, and our entire Lakeland management group and associates who have contributed so generously to help us create a health care facility right here in southwest Michigan that rivals any in the nation," said Joseph Wasserman, President and CEO of Lakeland HealthCare.
Based on the premise that there is a direct link between patient health, quality of care and the way a hospital is designed, Lakeland employed evidence-based design principles in the facility construction that will improve patient outcomes, safety, quality, and satisfaction as well as staff retention and service efficiency.
"In order to support special touches not in the original $65 million budget for the project, the Health Foundation board set a goal to raise $5 million," said Don Radde, chairman of the Benton Harbor/St Joseph Health Foundation. "The funds raised will provide orchards and vineyards lining the entry, art work, family areas in patient rooms, furnishings for family and nursing retreats, and a level of finish equal to other best-in-class hospitals."
Since June of 2005, over 225 individual, foundations, and businesses have donated to the inpatient tower project. Pat Moody of Cornerstone Alliance and the Radio Stations of Southwest Michigan, and Marge Wiatroski, owner of Tosi's Restaurant, are serving as co-chairs for the campaign.
Instrumental in helping Lakeland reach the current level for the campaign were leadership gifts from Lou Gast and Marcie and Edward Schalon, who pledged $1 million each. Other leadership investors were the Lakeland Auxiliary, St. Joseph who pledged $600,000; the Frederick S. Upton Foundation, with a pledge of $500,000; the Lakeland Health Foundation Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, who pledged $500,000; and Caretel Inn of Lakeland, with a pledge of $300,000.
Additional special donor groups to date include Lakeland associates, physicians and construction partners, whose donations total over $550,000. Taking the lead with over 94% of the members donating were the Lakeland HealthCare Board of Directors and the Lakeland Health Foundation Board of Directors.
"With $180,000 still needed to surpass the campaign goal, plans are now in place to conduct a community campaign over the next few months to include local corporations and businesses, as well as individuals," said Michelle Seymour, president of the Lakeland Health Foundations.
Construction of the Inpatient Tower is expected to be complete by December of this year with a dedication ceremony set for early 2009.