The Mission Auxiliary, last of the ten hospital auxiliaries formed between 1948 and 2015, retired from service effect November 1, 2015. The Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted a farewell luncheon and presented a bronze plaque to be installed on the Tribute Wall of the Healing Garden. The last three hospital CEOs were present which represented nearly 50 of the 66 years of service from the auxiliary. Please click for an excellent article posted in the Lodi News Sentinel.
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CEO Joe Harrington has retired after 22-years of leadership at the hospital. He is a much-beloved leader and always found to be friendly, inclusive and encouraging. His humor was famous and his ability to draw the best from us was impressive. He will be missed. Joe has left a legacy of growth and transition, guiding the hospital through challenging times and the onset of the Affordable Care Act which dramatically altered the course of hospital financing and management. Joe will be remembered for many things but likely his two most impressive accomplishments would be the design, development and construction of the South Tower and the recent affiliation with Adventist Health. We thank Joe for his commitment and leadership and wish him well. Camy Keszler Baker and Fred Baker visited the Emergency Department to see the new sign installed to recognize the naming of the Chris and Laveta Keszler Emergency Department resulting from the Keszler’s major bequest. Chris was a local dentist that believed in the best healthcare for Lodi. He and wife, Laveta, contributed to many causes in Lodi. Chris and his son in law, Fred Baker, developed numerous residential subdivisions in Lodi. “Naming of an entire department is rare and the significant gift left to the hospital warrants this recognition.” stated, Randy Snider, past president of the Foundation. Their gift will benefit many people for years to come. Thank you to the Keszler family. On June 24, 2015, some 350 people attended the Dedication Ceremony acknowledging the closing of the partnership affiliation with Adventist Health. The service was held in the beautiful Healing Garden Courtyard of the hospital with ministers from five different faiths presenting a brief message on each element of the mission statement followed by a prayer. Two songs were performed by the accomplished Hannah Thomas accompanied on the piano by Dotti Cummins, wife of Bill Cummins a Lodi Health board member. Lunch was served and guests visited until 1PM. Vice Mayor, Mark Chandler, was present and a representative from Assemblyman James Cooper’s office attended. It marked a major turning point in the 63-year history of Lodi Memorial Hospital and offered a positive view of the future. In April and May, the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarship Committee reviewed over one hundred applications for approximately $11,000 in academic scholarships awarded each year. Selection of recipients was based upon academic achievement, school activities, community volunteerism, determination, employment and need. “Each year as we review the applications we are enriched by seeing what our students have accomplished and encouraged that our future leaders are on their way”, stated, Nancy Watts, committee chairperson. Scholarships of $1,000 or more are awarded to the top applicants after thorough review and a personal interview. The recipients ranged from high school seniors to continuing college students and employees returning to school. One nurse who has served for 30-years in the Intensive Care Unit will be returning to school to finish her degree to enter management in the final phase of her career. We applaud the dedication of these students to be the best of our community.
Congratulations to the following winners for 2015
The nation’s largest and most important bicycle race will have its 2nd Stage Finish in Lodi on May 11, 2015. Lodi Health and Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation are major sponsors and have now confirmed that the DaVinci Surgical Robot will be at the finish line Lifestyle Festival. Come to the Lodi Health/LMHF tent and experience what our specially trained surgeons do with this amazing machine. Some of the seven robot-certified surgeons will be there to explain just why this is the newest and best approach for certain procedures. You will also be given a free shopping bag and some information about the hospital and the Foundation. Don’t miss this opportunity to see, up close and personal, one of the ways Lodi Health is improving healthcare in our community. The DaVinci Robot is the largest single donation made by the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation to the hospital in its 35-year history.
For details on the da Vinci Surgical System please CLICK HERE: The 2015 Walk for Health of It scheduled for May 16th at the Lodi Memorial Hospital has recently received sponsorship from the following: $5000 Level - Adventist Health, Dr. Carolyn Fowle and Sheila Wishek; $2500 Level – Dennis Morita, CPA, Steve and Bo Diede, E&J Gallo; $1000 and below Level – Bank of Agriculture & Commerce, Delta Radiology Group, Dr. Stan Demski, Harlin and Nancy Watts, Hampton Inn, Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi, Pacific Coast Producers, Riherd-West Financial Group, Ben Shaffer Cancer Center, San Joaquin Sulphur, Vino Farms, Joe and Sherry Cotta,
The 2015 Tour of California known as the AMGEN tour will finish its 2nd Stage in Lodi on May 11th. As the largest bicycle race in North American and followed by several million people in over 200 countries, Lodi is proud to be selected as a host city. The LMHF will have a tent at the finish line and support the moving “Breakaway from Cancer” mile walk. This event invites 150 cancer patients, survivors and impacted family members to walk the last mile of the course and cross the finish line to a VIP tent for the finish of the race. Come see us May 11th at the Hutchins Street Square finish line.
The Memorial Wall in the Healing Garden of the hospital will undergo a major design change. For technical reasons the original granite tiles cannot be etched properly and will be redesigned with 6” bronze plaques directly applied to the granite wall surface. The effect will be dramatic with a contrast of bronze letters and borders with black background surrounded by the natural granite wall. Additionally a new access walk and patio will be installed with new wall lighting for evening viewing. Installation of the first plaques is expected to be around May 1, 2015.
The Lodi Community Foundation has noticed us that Mrs. Amelia Ernst has chosen the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation as her beneficiary for a $1.5 million bequest. She wants the funds to start an endowment for the Adult Day Care Program run by Lodi Health at Hutchins Street Square. Terri Whitmire, ADC Program Director, stated, “ Knowing we can count on regular funding each year from this wonderful endowment will allow us to plan better and serve more each year”.
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AuthorWayne Craig, President/CEO of Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation Archives
July 2017
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