The Heiam Foundation Board invited local medical students to be their guests at its annual “Hot Fun in the Summertime” benefit held Aug. 11, 2012. Dr. Matthew Holmes and his wife Kimberly (pictured left) and Ashley Bishop and her husband Jon (right) were able to attend the festivities.

Dr. Holmes is in his second year of residency, having graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He will be employed at Scenic Rivers Health Services after completing the required three years of Family Practice residency.

           Sept. 2012 –  The W. C. Heiam Medical Foundation held its 19^th annual summer benefit, “Hot Fun in the Summertime” on Saturday, August 11 on the Cook Hospital grounds with 160 people in attendance. It was a beautiful and warm evening for the festivities. Some of the guests came early and had the opportunity to tour the hospital’s facilities with members of the Cook Hospital staff providing the tours. Cook Hospital also co-hosted the event.

            A reception featuring the popular silent auction was held from 5:30 to 7:30. Guests had a chance to bid on the many items generously donated by area businesses and individuals. Randy Wall provided wonderful entertainment on solo piano to start the evening, with” Dr. Grooveman and the Surgeons” providing lively dance music later on that night. Lots of tasty appetizers and beverages were served.

            After the silent auction ended, dinner was served. The buffet included delicious beef stroganoff, Florentine chicken, wild rice pilaf, fresh green salad, vegetables, rolls and chocolate brownies and cupcakes for dessert. Cook Hospital Nutritional Services provided the meal.

            After dinner the live auction was held. There was lots of fun bidding on 10 different items ranging from prime rib roast to a NASCAR experience! To end the night, the raffle drawing was held with two lucky winners claiming the shot gun and spa day.    

            The Heiam Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s benefit has raised $46,361.64 to date! The foundation’s success has been made possible by the generous support of the people in this area who understand the importance of quality medical services in the community. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund equipment needed by Cook Hospital for its latest expansion project of a new emergency room and remodeling of its outpatient services area. The money will also be used to provide monetary incentives to recruit doctors for employment here in Cook. The foundation is committed to helping attract doctors to the area now and in the future. Any additional monies will be added to the foundation’s endowment fund which has now grown to $1.7 million, which the Heiam board feels is quite an accomplishment for a community of this size! The Foundation also continues its pledge of $10,000 to a cost-sharing partnership with Virgie Hegg Hospice Partners and the Cook Hospital.

            Next year will be the 20^th anniversary of the Heiam Foundation’s annual benefit. Board members are already discussing plans to make it a special occasion and welcomes new ideas. They are hoping more community members will be able to join in the festivities next summer. Those with ideas to share may contact any of the following members of the Heiam Foundation board: president Sally Ludlow, vice-president Lawrence Gustafson, secretary Judy McCarthy, treasurer Dale Lundblad, Barb Brenna, Jan Ferguson, Marge Herr, Linda Hildestad, Stan Hildestad, Dr. Harold Johnston, Sally Oberstar, Al Vogt and Mark Weir. We encourage you to join us next year on Saturday, August 17th, 2013 for our 20th anniversary benefit. (Save the date now!)

            Anyone wishing more information about the foundation and its valuable work may contact database manager Nan Lundblad at 218-666-2316 or email: info@heiamfoundation.org.

February, 2012 - In response to a request by the Cook Area Ambulance Service, the W. C. Heiam Medical Foundation Board approved a donation of $2,500 to be used to purchase two new radios. Pictured are (l-r) Heiam Foundation Treasurer Dale Lundblad, Dan Reing and Ross Gramling of the Cook Ambulance Service and Heiam Foundation President Sally Ludlow.

There were new and unique auction items on which to bid and two great raffle prizes – an iPad 2 with case and a Kindle with lighted cover! The live auction included a fly-in fishing trip at Smoothrock Camp in Ontario, Canada and a one-week vacation at Residencial Casa Linda in the Dominican Republic!

Some of our guests came early and had the opportunity to tour the hospital’s facilities, as well as the newly remodeled Scenic Rivers Health Services medical clinic. Our thanks to the Cook Hospital and Scenic Rivers staffs for providing the tours.

Donations to the “Cruisin’ an’ Schmoozin’” summer benefit are still being received. The event was very successful and has raised a total of $50,344.00 to date. The Foundation’s board met recently and discussed ways to improve the event for next year. The 19th annual benefit is being planned for Saturday, August 11, 2012. Please mark your calendars now so you don’t miss this fun-filled event next year!

Pictured (l-r) W. C. Heiam Medical Foundation vice president Lawrence Gustafson and treasurer Dale Lundblad present a check for $10,000 to ambulance director Tim Mankowski and Reuben Rosnau of the Cook Area Ambulance Service. The $10,000 donation was approved by the Heiam Foundation Board at its regular meeting held Feb. 25. The ambulance service will use this donation, along with others, to purchase one of two new Stryker Power Pro XT cots, at a cost of $12,500 each. The foundation is pleased to assist the Cook Area Ambulance Service in this purchase.