Melissa Memorial Hospital Foundation expresses thanks to community, donors, friends

    At its Legacy of Thanks Celebration Sunday, Nov. 11, Melissa Memorial Hospital Foundation honored those who contributed to the welfare of the community through their support of Holyoke’s hospital.
    After a light lunch, six awards were presented to hospital staff, community members and local organizations in front of a crowd of about 100 people.
    Awards were presented by MMHF board member Kim O’Neill, secretary Jessie Ruiz and Executive Director Nancy Colglazier.
    Holyoke FCCLA members and Karen Ortner received the award for Outstanding Youth. Colglazier described a mutually beneficial relationship between the two organizations, in which FCCLA frequently volunteered their time to help with the running of events such as the Cajun Boil.
    She also mentioned chapter president Kyra Loutensock’s visit to a meeting of the East Phillips County Hospital District Board in August as a gesture which earned a great deal of respect from the foundation.
    Loutensock thanked the foundation for the opportunities given to students for service work.
    East Phillips County Hospital District Board President Steve Young was awarded Outstanding Adult Volunteer. Colglazier mentioned Young’s decades of service on the MMHF board and his current position on the EPCHD board as evidence of his commitment to the mission of MMH.
    Jody Fiscus accepted the Oak Tree’s second award for Outstanding Business. Her business had received the award previously in 2009, but the foundation decided to award it again for the generous discounts offered to hospital employees and assistance with the auction at the 2018 Night on Broadway Legacy Event and other hospital programs.
    Ty and Patty Wernet of Marysville, Washington, were named the year’s Outstanding Philanthropists. The two gave generously over the past few years, and recently donated $25,000 for a new room at MMH, in addition to smaller contributions. They were also corporate sponsors of the 2017 legacy event.
    Colglazier said family nurse practitioner Lane Looka was an easy choice for the MMH “Angel” award, which recognizes the exceptional contributions of MMH employees to the foundation.
    Colglazier praised Looka’s willingness to assume leadership positions and his cofounding of the NECO Emergency Trauma Conference, set for February. Looka’s dedication to his job includes responding personally to ambulance calls to start life-saving care.
    Lastly, Holyoke EMS’ first-ever director Brady Ring was acknowledged with the Making a Difference award for his help in growing and creating a positive culture in the hospital’s 25-person emergency medicine department. Ring was recently added to the Foundation board.

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