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2010

He was so small—hands the size of a nickel and feet no longer than the length of a pen cap. Our fragile miracle, who initially looked like a handful of skin and eyes, is now a pudgy, smiling curly-haired angel. Jeremiah was one of the first arrivals at Ridgeview’s new Neonatal Care Unit (NCU).

Weighing only 3 pounds 2 ounces, Jeremiah arrived eight weeks early. I’ll never forget that day. The calm, affirming neonatal nurse practitioners and neonatologists on staff from nationally recognized Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota orchestrated his care that clearly didn’t need a rehearsal. They brought peace of mind, critical medical expertise and a four-week stay that was unforgettable.

Jeremiah got to stay in a best-in-class facility in the community we live in, know and love—10 miles from home in Chaska. That wasn’t the case when Jeremiah’s older sister was born. She was a preemie too. I remember the stress—hotels, fast food, expensive parking and a wearing commute between home and downtown Minneapolis.

I’m grateful for the convenience, but also for the compassionate, kind medical staff that held my hands and wiped my tears of joy.

I grew up in a big family and learned that love conquers and you always help your neighbors. That’s how I live my life and teach my children. And that’s why the experience at Ridgeview will sustain us forever. What a powerful community asset that gives so much yet asks for so little in return. For all the tiny patients to come, Jeremiah is a testament that good things are in store for those who come in small packages. Our family is grateful!

Jeremiah is now in the care of our family pediatrician, Dr. Lorene Rutherford. The positive experience didn’t stop the day we left Ridgeview’s NCU. She’s an extension of the kindness and compassion that is “so Ridgeview.”

GratefulPatient: EthrophicBurnett

Join me in my quest to give back, treat your neighbors well and give to an organization that performs miracles every day. Whether it is for my son, your daughter or your grandchild, your gift to Ridgeview Medical Center will make an impact—and deliver more happy outcomes like Jeremiah.

Baby Jeremiah’s foot—the length of a pen cap!

Board of Directors

David Adinolfi, Eden Prairie

Jean Buller, Chaska

Dermot Cowley, Watertown

Stacy Desai, Eden Prairie

Laura Flemal, Watertown

Tim Foster, Eden Prairie

Mary Frederick, Excelsior

Michael Gresser, Eden Prairie

Katherine Hackett, MD, Excelsior

Darla Holmgren, Waconia

Brian Mark, Excelsior

Peter Nelson, Waconia

Keith Rachey, Waconia

Linda Roebke, Waconia

Kate Roehl, Chair, Maple Plain

Mark Schiffman, Waconia

Randy Schneewind, Waconia

Charles Spevacek, Shorewood

Mark Steingas, Excelsior

Larry Wilhelm, Excelsior

Ex-Officio

Robert Stevens,

President and CEO,

Ridgeview Medical Center

Doug Stasek,

Vice President,

Ridgeview Foundation

Laurel Hardgrove,

Director,

Ridgeview Foundation

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the “Campaign Wrap-Up” edition of our Foundation Focus! We are delighted to share highlights of our “Transforming Lives” campaign, which has been the focus of our Foundation for the last five years. Our volunteers and staff have been fundraising to support three significant projects:• Minneapolis Heart Institute® at Ridgeview Heart Center, which opened in 2007• Center for Women & Children, the new Birthing Center opened in June 2009, including the Neonatal Care Unit, in partnership with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, which opened in January 2010• Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home, opened in October 2009Visit the centerfold on pages 4 and 5 for pictures and information on how Ridgeview’s new Heart Center, Center for Women & Children and Hospice Home are serving the needs of patients and families in the west-metro area.

We are pleased to report that we have raised $33.8 million for our “Transforming Lives” Campaign—far exceeding our $30 million goal. Foundation staff and volunteers are grateful to the 19,074 gifts from 671 communities who gave current gifts, legacy gifts and philanthropic pledges to help us achieve this outstanding result!

As much as we are remarkably grateful for campaign success, we know that Ridgeview Medical Center has many projects that require philanthropic support. As fortunate as Ridgeview was to raise $33.8 million for three priority projects, the need remains great. We would also encourage you to read the Foundation’s new Case for Support. For a copy, please visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org and click on Case for Support, or call (952) 442-6010 for a copy to be mailed to you. The Case for Support provides information about projects from each major program area in the hospital.

We hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter—we are pleased to feature a family philanthropy profile on the Geske and Schneewind families, fundraising results from our successful Golf & Taste Celebration, and highlights of our capital campaign. Thank you for your important support of Ridgeview!

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RidgeviewFoundation’s25thAnniversaryGolf&TasteCelebrationRaises$951,000forMarieSteinerKeltingHospiceHomeRidgeview Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Golf & Taste Celebration, held June 21 at Island View Golf Club, raised $951,000 for the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home in Chaska.

More than 550 people attended the day of celebration, which included golf, bridge and Bunco tournaments, the Taste of the Ridgeview Region with food and beverages from area restaurants, as well as a full-course buffet dinner, silent and live auctions, and raffle prizes. Two hundred volunteers worked collaboratively to organize the event and raise much-needed funds for the new Hospice Home.

The Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home opened in October 2009. Family members of Sandra Craig, the home’s longest-staying patient to date, were present. Sue Austin, Sandra’s daughter, expressed gratitude for the care provided to her mother and the opportunity for her mom to spend her final days in such a beautiful setting. Sue said,

“I can’t imagine my mom being in a better place. The Hospice Home just let us ‘be’ and love my mom. We didn’t have to worry about pain management or medicine or personal care … we just got to sit and love her.”

Dave Philp, volunteer chair for 25 years, was honored by Ridgeview CEO and President Robert Stevens for his exemplary leadership. Support for the event was provided by Mega Sponsor Mortenson Construction; Legendary Sponsor Lakeview Clinic; Elite Sponsor Corval Group; Master Sponsors Medallion Cabinetry, Laura and Dermot Cowley Family, Jake O’Connor’s Public House, Lola’s Lakehouse, O’Donovan’s Irish Pub, QualiTech and Baker Tilly. Grand Sponsors were Beniek Property Services, Cobalt Construction, Mount Development, MTM Advertising, Paul and Sheila Steiner, SDQ Ltd. and Wigen Water Technologies.

Doug Stasek, Ridgeview Foundation Vice President; Kate Roehl, Foundation Board Chair and Campaign co-Chair; and Tim Foster, Founder’s Society co-Chair, and Campaign co-Chair share a moment of celebration at Ridgeview’s Birthing Center Open House.

P.S. Mark your calendars for our Nov. 20 “Hazeltine Under the Harvest Moon” fall event—good times, great food, extraordinary auction items and even a “Pick Your Paradise” raffle. Be among the first to see Hazeltine Golf Club’s spectacular new clubhouse. Linger and enjoy Ridgeview’s physician band, “73 Paces.” Ridgeview’s Harvest Party will prove to be the most fun you’ll ever have supporting health care in our community!

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CenterforWomen&Children

• In the first year of the new Birthing Center, we delivered 1,274 babies.

• New mothers are enjoying the option of using the whirlpool tubs during labor and delivery. Our patients and their families also rave about the soothing and elegant atmosphere of the postpartum rooms.

• Our Neonatal Care Unit opened in early January 2010. Since its opening, the team has cared for more than 102 premature and sick babies.

MarieSteinerKeltingHospiceHome• Since the new Hospice Home opened last fall on Lake Bavaria in

Chaska, we have cared for more than 50 hospice patients in their final days. These patients ranged in age from 48 to 95.

• Our team has helped Hospice patients celebrate 50th wedding anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions. The Home, with its spacious suites, great room, family room, dining room, meditation room and outdoor patios, is a gathering spot for families.

MinneapolisHeartInstitute®atRidgeviewHeartCenter• Our new Heart Center plays an important role

meeting patient needs in the west metro. We are treating almost 1,500 new patients each year and providing follow-up care to 8,850 patients.

• Cath lab patient volumes have doubled since 2008; in 2010 we anticipate performing more than 200 angiograms and 88 stent procedures.

RidgeviewIncreasingtheComplexityofCareinResponsetoCommunityNeedsRidgeview Foundation is pleased to report that the “Transforming Lives” Campaign has been a success—raising $33.8 million, which far exceeds our campaign goal of $30 million! The Foundation Board and staff are most grateful for 19,074 current gifts, pledges and legacy gifts from 671 communities, which enabled the Foundation to accomplish this amazing result.

Ridgeview Medical Center reviewed the needs of the communities it serves before proceeding with the new Heart Center, Center for Women & Children and new Hospice Home. These new facilities are increasing the complexity of care that Ridgeview delivers to the community and ensuring more people receive the care they need, close to home.

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Pictured with Linda Roebke, Ridgeview Foundation Board member and Scholarship Committee member: (top: left to right) Brandon Schaust, Katie Hankins, Erin Schliesman and Spencer Biermann; (bottom: left to right) Erin Schrupp, Megan Antolick, Kelsey Clark, Anna Mae Van Dien, Anastasia Hartwig and Kirsten Lederer.Not pictured: Lilia Capmari, Jordan Hucky, Andrea Langen.

AreaStudents’DreamofMusicatRidgeviewRealizedNearly two years ago, then high school juniors Megan Hauser and Ellen Forst embarked on a unique mission to raise funds for a piano for Ridgeview Medical Center. Megan and Ellen both have a special interest in music and saw the opportunity to give back by sharing their passion and love of music with the community by raising money to purchase a piano for the hospital.

This last spring, their goal of $2,000 was met and the beautiful black piano was purchased, a wonderful addition to the Ridgeview Community Chapel. When asked what their hopes were for patients and families, their voices are melodic, stating “It is our hope that people find healing, comfort, joy … or whatever it is that they are in need of. We also hope that people are inspired by the wide array of community members who played a part in the success of this project.”

These students have displayed amazing philanthropy in youth. We extend our gratitude to Megan and Ellen for their volunteerism and passion!

Seated left to right: Ellen Forst and Megan Hauser.

PavingtheWayforFutureinHealthCareAs a senior in high school, imagining the future is difficult enough, let alone knowing exactly what one wants “to be” when he or she grows up. For some students, the choice is clear: health care. Ridgeview Foundation encourages health care careers by providing scholarship funds to high school seniors going into the health care field.

More than $87,000 was raised at the 2001 Ridgeview Foundation Golf Extravaganza to create a scholarship program in response to the shortage of health care workers. With this year’s awards, Ridgeview Foundation has awarded 107 scholarships since the program’s inception.

The Health Care Scholarship continues to be funded by Ridgeview Friends & Family, Ridgeview’s largest and oldest giving club, through annual donations from community members and Ridgeview Medical Center employees.

If you would like to learn more about the scholarship program and its eligibility requirements, please contact Kelly Schiffman at (952) 442-2191, ext. 6373. Applications for the 2011 scholarship will be available in February 2011.

Ridgeview Friends & FamilyEmployeesWith 1,350 employees, Ridgeview Medical Center is not only the largest employer in Carver County, but it also has a unique, giving group of caring employees.

Ridgeview Friends & Family’s 2010 Employee Campaign theme was Catch the Buzz: BEElieve in Ridgeview! There was a lot of buzzing going through the halls at Ridgeview and its clinics.

Ten departments at Ridgeview have a 100 percent participation rate among their employees in Ridgeview Friends & Family, which is an increase from six departments in 2010. We honor these Ridgeview Departments:

AdministrationAnesthesiaBiomedicalCenter for Joint ReplacementCommunity RelationsFoundation

Spa TherapyLibrary & Web ServicesSecuritySpiritual Care Services

FamilyPhilanthropyThe Geske and Schneewind Family

For Kieth and Joan Geske of Victoria, Ridgeview is truly a family affair. From births and appendix surgeries to treatment and volunteerism, generations of their family have been closely connected to Ridgeview. Their appreciation over the years extends beyond their home community and into the larger community which Ridgeview benefits.

Both generations of this family—Kieth and Joan Geske, daughter Allison and son-in-law Randy Schneewind of Waconia are current donors and have given a Legacy Gift to ensure the healthy future of Ridgeview and the people it touches.

“We’ve grown up with Ridgeview while it has grown with the community,” Kieth says. “It’s an asset for everyone.” He believes it’s the area’s most important asset and a reason he’s very proud of his son-in-law, Randy, who serves on Ridgeview’s Foundation Board as co-Chair of the Founder’s Society.

The Geskes are a shining example of giving their time and talent to community, but they say they’ve been inspired by Randy and Allison. “They’ve inspired us to give financially too. The more you give, the easier it is to give more,” Kieth says. “Gosh, it feels so good.”

Joan remarks, “When you go to Ridgeview you feel like part of the family—the staff recognizes you and you usually see someone you know. You feel like the staff has a real concern for you and that feels really good. The connection at Ridgeview and those positive attitudes really help the healing process.”

This family of philanthropists shares a passion and vision for Ridgeview but is humble and quiet about their significant contributions.

“We’re energized by the incredible impact their gifts will have for generations to come,” says Doug Stasek, vice president, Ridgeview Foundation. “We’re so appreciative to

both the Geskes and the Schneewinds for their friendship and generosity—they truly represent the heart and soul of Ridgeview.”

Kieth’s perspective on life is simple: It’s not what you get out of it; it’s what you put into to it. That giving attitude is what his daughter Allison and son-in-law live by. “For the size of the communities Ridgeview serves, everyone is family,” Allison says. “You’re touching hearts. There’s closeness. It’s nice to know we’re helping such a wide variety of people now and for years to come.”

What a beautiful way to leave a Legacy!

Joan and Kieth Geske, daughter Allison and son-in-law Randy Schneewind—inspirational family philanthropy

Classes,Events&WaystoGetInvolvedMen’s Health NightHere’s a great opportunity to improve your health. A panel of physicians will share information about minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea and sleep studies, diabetes, keeping your heart healthy, colon cancer and lung cancer.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 6:30–9 p.m.

Bariatric Information SessionsInterested in weight loss surgery? Attend a free seminar to learn more about surgery and get answers to your questions without any cost or obligation. Monday, Sept. 20, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

What Is Aromatherapy?Aromatherapy can improve your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being with the use of essential oils. Learn how to incorporate aromatherapy into your lifestyle.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 6–7 p.m.

To register for any of these free programs, visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events or call (952) 442-8084. Each program is held at the Ridgeview Community Auditorium, Ridgeview Medical Center, 500 S. Maple Street, Waconia.

Women’s Health Seminar: Integrative MedicineLaurie Drill-Mellum, MD, MPH, Emergency Medicine, Ridgeview Medical Center, will introduce the concept of integrative medicine and its approach to healing the whole person–mind, body and spirit.

Thursday, Sept. 16, 6–7:30 p.m.

Women’s Health Seminars are held at Bayview Event Center, 687 Excelsior Boulevard, Excelsior. They include gourmet appetizers and prize giveaways. Advanced registration and payment of $20 is required. To register, visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events or call (952) 442-8083.

® 2010 Ridgeview Medical CenterIf you would like to stop receiving Ridgeview Foundation printed material, please submit an e-mail including your name and address to foundation@ridgeviewmedical.org or call (952) 442-6010.

We’ve moved to:490 S. Maple Street, Suite 110 • Waconia, MN 55387

www.ridgeviewfoundation.org • (952) 442-6010

This incredible day-long retreat, sponsored by Ridgeview Foundation, is designed to help women renew and strengthen their physical and emotional well-being.

Come and see Dr. Henry Emmons, world-renowned psychiatrist, author and speaker enlighten us with his holistic approach to securing happiness in our lives with his book “The Chemistry of Joy.” Listen to Tami Briggs share the healing elements of music therapy. Laugh with Judy Janish as she brings us the delightful and entertaining “Shirley from Dez Moinez.” Deadra Stanton will teach us about personal survival and professional growth through her insight and humor.

Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 • 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.BayView Event Center • Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior

Hazeltine Under the Harvest MoonJoin us for a fun harvest party at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Be among the first to see the new clubhouse and enjoy dinner, a live auction and a lot of fun in support of Ridgeview Medical Center!

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 • 6 p.m.Hazeltine National Golf Club • Chaska

8th Annual Achieving a Healthy Balance SeminarKeep up to date on Ridgeview Foundation news and events by finding us on Facebook!

For more information, visit www.ridgeviewfoundation.org or call Ridgeview Foundation at (952) 442-6010.