KRHC capital campaign meets $1.5 million goal
Birthday celebration draws crowd of 250

With a large crowd of birthday guests in attendance and the hospital construction project in full view, co-chairs of the “Transforming Healthcare, Building for the Future” campaign announced that the $1.5 million goal has been successfully met.

The good news was announced on September 10 at a public event celebrating 60 years of quality health care at what was originally called St. Ann’s Hospital, and is known today as Kossuth Regional Health Center.  KRHC celebrated its 60th birthday with a gathering that included cake and light refreshments, posters of historical news articles about the hospital and clinic, live music by the Muscle Shirts, games and rides for kids and seasonal flu shots, for those who chose to get vaccinated.  The evening drew more that 250 people with 330 people getting their flu vaccinations.

“We were pleased with the large group that came out to help us celebrate and view the construction progress so far.  We heard many wonderful stories about the early days of St. Ann’s Hospital and we enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on the history of health care in this area,” said KRHC administrator Scott Curtis.

The “Transforming Healthcare, Building for the Future” campaign is part of a $13.5 million project that is building a three-story addition onto the east side of the hospital.  The additional space will allow for private inpatient rooms, each equipped with a full private bath.  The addition will also bring about improvements on the first floor of the hospital, restructure the dining area, kitchen and materials management area, expand the surgery pre-op/recovery area and relocate physical therapy to the second floor of the hospital.  Last fall KRHC kicked off the capital campaign with the goal of reaching $1.5 million in charitable gifts to help cover costs of the project.

When campaign co-chair Pat Reding announced that the goal had been met, he was quick to add that the KRHC Foundation isn’t done yet.  Plans are to extend the campaign to raise additional funds for the dialysis center in Algona.  A location within KRHC has been identified that could expand and upgrade this service.

“This is a life-sustaining service and these patients spend several hours at KRHC three days a week,” Curtis said.

Funds donated to the capital campaign from here on out will be put toward the dialysis project.  For information about giving opportunities, please contact KRHC Foundation Director Nancy Grandgenett-Besch at 515-295-4582.