On Monday, December 11, 2023 – only 27 months after the campaign started -- the West River Health Services Foundation surpassed its $500,000 goal for their “Healthcare Heroes Endowment Fund.” The original goal was $500K in five years, so the Foundation could invest the funds and spend the interest each year going forward for 1) academic loans for college upperclassmen pursuing a career available at WRHS/WHLC, 2) signing bonuses for needed positions at WRHS/WHLC, and 3) spot bonuses for current “healthcare heroes” at WRHS/WHLC.

The WRHS Foundation is so proud of our area communities for their continued support of our efforts to keep improving our top-quality healthcare services “close to home.” The Hettinger Jaycees took the campaign over the $500K goal with their $20,000 gift this past week (you read that right -- $20,000!). Of course, there have been thousands of donors who have made gifts from $5 to $50,000 over the last 27 months to our “Healthcare Heroes Endowment Fund.” The twenty largest cumulative gifts of $6,000 or more for this fund were from Anonymous, Nevada and Wendy Jorgenson, David Nygaard, Crum Family, Jodi Uecker, Dr. Mark and LaNae Kristy, Hettinger Jaycee’s, Roger Dieterle, Dennis and Dava Rustan, Wade Henderson, Duane, and Karen Pierce, Dr. Josh and Dr. Carrie Ranum, Roger Lutz, Dr. John and Gina Joyce, Dakota Western Bank, Clarence Jost, Ted and Sheri Uecker, Mike and Sandy Marion, Dakota Community Bank, and JC Farms.

With interest from this “Healthcare Heroes Endowment Fund,” the WRHS Foundation has recently offered three academic loans ranging from $5,000-$10,000 to three College Upperclassmen in Nursing. So far, two have given verbal approvals to come and apply for a job with WRHS/WHLC after graduating next summer in May 2024. We are hoping to receive their signed contracts shortly. Plus, we are working on the third Nursing candidate to be here working with us after graduating next December 2024. Our plan is to give half of their loan to them at the beginning of their last semester and half upon graduation. Then, their entire loans will be forgiven at $500 per month (roughly 21-22 months for $10K loans, 11-12 months for $5K loans). Of course, we are always hoping they will stay with us for their lifetime career!

There could be opportunities in the future to utilize the interest from this fund for signing bonuses for needed critical positions at WRHS/WHLC or for spot bonuses for current “healthcare heroes.” It will just depend on the year and what the needs are at WRHS/WHLC.

Special THANKS to all of the people who have given – whether online at wrhs.com/giving; through the mail to “WRHSF” at 1000 Highway 12, Hettinger, ND 58639, or at one of our many events (Giving Hearts Nights leading into Giving Hearts Day the last two years, Farm & Home Shows, Community Turkey Luncheon two years ago, etc.). We are so grateful. We have this top-quality healthcare “close to home,” because of you. Thank you. Onward! Ted Uecker, FDO