is best. Ridgeview Hospice is there to help with transitions and making last wishes known as well as carried out, allowing your loved one to be cared for with dignity and respect. Whether you have personally been touched by hospice or are unfamiliar with the program, please consider giving support so that others may continue to receive the same benefits provided by Ridgeview Hospice.

Ridgeview Hospice care is dependent on charitable donations like yours. Please consider gifting generously so other families may benefit from the programs offered. Support from your tax-deductible gift keeps programs like music therapy, massage therapy and memory making kits a possibility.

FocusRidgeview Foundation

Leaving a legacy

Rooted in their passion for travel and anchored by love, the 17-year marriage

of Paul and Dee Moss contained a lifetime of adventures. When you step into the Moss home it is apparent that a story lives there. For Paul, a man known for his Brooklyn accent, passion for the water and zest for life, receiving the diagnosis of ALS was like receiving “one cut at a time,” as Paul would often refer to it. As ALS was taking away certain physical abilities, it never took away Paul’s spirit.

Initially, the best choice for Paul and his family was Ridgeview Home Health Services. Home care was vital for Paul. Not only did it allow for life to be as “normal” as possible but it was instrumental in making life comfortable

As the ALS progressed, Paul and Dee turned to Ridgeview Hospice in their time of need, with his last day spent at the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home. Hospice was there to aid in caring for Paul when his physical abilities were declining, but more than that hospice was there to care for not only body, but mind and spirit. The music therapy that was offered to Paul was monumental in his care. A list of Paul’s favorite musical pieces, put together by staff, made it easier when the time came to plan Paul’s funeral. Paul’s wife, Dee, wants to change the stigma of hospice. Hearing the word hospice,

people often think negatively, but what Dee asks is, “what are you waiting for?” Hospice provided a sense of peace for the Moss family and allowed them to focus on Paul and make those last days memorable. The care hospice

provides is essential to making your loved one comfortable. Paul’s life was marked by hard work and dedication that led him to a life on the water and a passion for traveling the world with his soul mate, Dee.

Described as a true patriot and renaissance man, Paul was

loved by all who were fortunate

enough to have been in his life, including Edna, his loyal pooch. It’s safe to say Paul is now in sailing heaven on his boat, “Brooklyn Bridge,” smiling down happily.

Every member of the Ridgeview Hospice team played a role in providing dignity and comfort during Paul’s last days. Hospice is care for the entire person—mind, body and soul—and that’s exactly the kind of care that Paul was able to receive.

Losing a loved one is never easy, and often the journey from diagnosis to final days can be scary and marked with questions of what

Winter | 2015

What is ALS?Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-mi-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), or ALS, is a nervous system disease that causes muscle weakness and impacts physical function. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it. ALS causes nerve cells to gradually break down and die. In most cases, doctors don’t know why ALS occurs. A small number of cases are inherited. ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, or sometimes with slurring of speech. Eventually, ALS can affect your ability to control the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. ALS can’t be cured and eventually leads to death.

Paul and Dee Moss

Dear Friends,

Time flies when you’re having fun, and I’ve had a lot of fun these past two years!

It seems like yesterday that I was asked to chair the Ridgeview Foundation Board

of Directors. I remember how honored and humbled I was being asked to fill the “big shoes” of

the chairs who served before me. So here we are, two years later and my term is nearing its close … so please allow me to reflect.

In the first year of my term, the Board launched and successfully completed the Innovation for Generations campaign, which was designated for the re-model on the 1964 wing of the hospital. Arguably the hospital’s busiest inpatient area, the second floor is the home for Ridgeview’s medical/surgical patients as well as Pediatrics, Hospice and Geriatric Mental Health patients. The two-year campaign raised in excess of $2 million and all inpatient rooms have been updated with the latest in technology and patient amenities to better serve individuals at bedside.

Last year, the Board announced its 5-year, $50 million Every Moment Counts endowment campaign. When completed, this campaign will represent the largest undertaking ever for Ridgeview Foundation. The success of this campaign will literally secure the future of Ridgeview Medical Center in our service area.

Our mantra for the campaign has been “outstanding physicians, state-of-the-art facilities, and the very latest in medical technological advances.”

As of this writing, more than $28 million in gifts and pledges has been secured for the Every Moment Counts initiative. While I couldn’t be more excited, I know from experience that much hard work remains to ensure our success.

As my term nears its completion, I would be remiss not to thank the many people who have helped me and affected my life. So to the Ridgeview Foundation Board of Directors, the Ridgeview Friends & Family Committee, the countless volunteers and the Foundation staff, I can’t thank you enough. And last, thanks to all of you — Ridgeview Foundation’s valued donors; you are our best friends, and we are so fortunate to have your support.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you and the Ridgeview community. Ridgeview’s future is secure, and we have so many exciting new projects and developments to look forward to. Thank you for allowing me be a part of this.

Jean M. Buller Ridgeview Foundation Board Chair

Power management company Eaton recently contributed $99,000 to local organizations near its Eden Prairie location to help to support and grow several community programs, including Ridgeview Foundation. These grants are part of the company’s “Powering Communities Grants.” Building on Eaton’s tradition of corporate citizenship, the donations help improve the quality of life in communities where Eaton employees live and work. Ridgeview Foundation was one of three charities selected to receive funds from Eaton.

Eaton’s grant of $25,000 to Ridgeview Foundation will help Ridgeview access the best technology, facilities and new services through the success of the Ridgeview Foundation’s Every Moment Counts campaign.

Eaton gives back to the community

Breakfast with Ridgeview’s presidentIn October, community members gathered at two free breakfast events to hear Ridgeview Medical Center President and CEO Robert Stevens present a snapshot of life in Carver County. These events were sponsored by Ridgeview Foundation.Information shared during the events included population census data, health issues and overall quality of life within the community. Ridgeview is strategically working to meet to the needs of our growing population and the ever-changing face of health care.

For more information about Ridgeview, please visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org.

Robert Stevens, Ridgeview president and CEO.

Doug Stasek, Ridgeview Foundation executive director, accepts a donation from Eaton employees.

Endowment campaign update“Year One” of Ridgeview’s Every Moment Counts campaign is drawing to a close. “The successful completion of this campaign will literally ensure the future of Ridgeview Medical Center in perpetuity,” says Ridgeview Medical Center President and CEO Bob Stevens. “In these days of rampant health system consolidation, a robust endowment will allow the hospital to maintain its independence and clinical excellence beyond the foreseeable future.”

This 5-year, $50 million endowment initiative allows individuals the opportunity to support the area of the hospital that they most resonate with. For instance, those whose families have been affected by cancer (or any other clinical area) can make their gift directly to cancer treatment — and their gift will be used in the treatment of cancer in perpetuity. One can also make their gift over time through a pledge or a planned giving vehicle (such as a will, or charitable trust or annuity).

To date, over $28 million has been secured for this critical endeavor. If you are interested in receiving more information or having a no-obligation discussion about the campaign, please call 952-442-6010 and the Foundation staff will help you.

“This is the most important campaign in Ridgeview’s rich history of philanthropy,” says Ridgeview Foundation Board Chair Jean Buller. “The success of this campaign can literally ensure the southwest corridor quality, state-of-the-art health care that will be here for our children’s children.”

Over the past 14 years, John and Ronda Short have honored their daughters’ memories and helped children in our community by giving generously to Ridgeview Foundation. A total of $100,000 has been raised through the Kelsey and Kalley Short Memorial Olympics.

This annual event was held in memorial of their two daughters, Kelsey and Kalley, who both died at a young age from a rare disease. It was John and Ronda’s hope to help enrich the lives of other children and to reflect back the “ray of sunshine” that was evident in their girls.

The funds raised have gone toward pediatric treatment rooms in the Emergency Department and pediatric unit. These rooms make children feel more comfortable and provide a nurturing, calming environment for them during what could be a scary time. The Shorts are honored to provide something so special that will benefit so many.

Ridgeview Foundation recently received a donation for the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Emergency Assistance Fund. This gift was provided by Dottie Dekko and her daughter Danna Atherton, in memory of Dottie’s husband, Tom Dekko. The donation is in honor of Dr. Paul Sperduto, radiation oncologist at Ridgeview Regional Radiation Oncology. The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer generously matched the memorial gift to provide even more assistance for Ridgeview’s breast cancer patients.

The mission of Hope Chest is to provide the quickest access to help with the most urgent emergency needs of local, financially challenged breast cancer patients. Their priorities are keeping families intact in their current living situation, helping them get to treatment by paying for child care and transportation, and helping them heal by providing access to nutritious meals.

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer®

Pictured from left to right: Doug Stasek, Keith Rachey, LuAnn Rachey, Dr. Lorene Rutherford, Ronda Short and John Short.

Pictured left to right: Dottie Dekko, Barbara Hensley and Danna Atherton.

Kelsey and Kalley Short Memorial Olympics raises more than $100,000 for Ridgeview

Every Moment Counts for Ridgeview’s cancer patients

Cancer was the last thing Carol Borg expected when she decided to retire after years of dedicated service. Full of laughter, love and light, Carol and her husband, Jim, have an outlook on life that is rare to find.

During a routine yearly physical in May 2014, the discovery of a lump in Carol’s breast was terrifying for her and her husband of 43 years who had only recently embarked on their retirement years together.

Carol described being “scared to death” the day the lump was found. Melinda Ament, CNP, Catalyst Clinic, sent Carol to Ridgeview Women’s Imaging & Breast Center to have an ultrasound and a mammogram performed. The radiologist at Ridgeview immediately reviewed the images and decided to proceed with a biopsy of the lump. The biopsy and images confirmed that Carol had stage II breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Upon hearing the diagnosis, she describes her gratitude for Terry Hoelz, RN, OCN, breast cancer nurse, who immediately stepped in to call the surgeon, Dawn Stapleton, MD, Lakeview Clinic, and started an immediate care plan for her. An entire team was assembled for Carol, including Dr. Stapleton, Ridgeview oncologist Dr. Kamran Darabi, and nurses and staff of the Ridgeview Hematology/Oncology & Infusion Center.

“That first weekend was devastating, we just cried a lot,” Carol recalls, describing the days between her diagnosis and then meeting Dr. Darabi three days later. Given the stage and aggressiveness of her cancer, Dr. Darabi recommended Carol start with chemotherapy first, then follow with surgery.

After learning what her treatment plan would be, and the reassuring hope offered by Dr. Darabi, Carol said, “I just felt calm. And I haven’t lost that sense of calm since I was there.”

Carol completed her last round of chemotherapy at the Ridgeview Hematology/Oncology & Infusion Center located at Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska. Next, she will embark on a double mastectomy. Although the wife, mother of two and grandma to four has endured much since May, her hopes are high thanks to the care she has received at Ridgeview, her faith, and the love and support she has received from family and friends.

She continues to praise her entire care team, from the infusion nurses who always greeted her and Jim with smiles and warm regards, to the physicians and staff who called her between appointments to make sure she was doing okay. Carol reiterates that every member of her Ridgeview care team has said that she can call, no matter when or what time, if she ever has questions or needs anything.

“When you are there [Ridgeview] you feel like they really care about you—that you’re not just a number. That means a lot to me.”

Breast cancer affects thousands of people every year in Minnesota. Consider supporting Ridgeview’s Cancer Care Services fund by making a donation this year to the Every Moment Counts campaign. This campaign focuses on raising endowment funds and capital

gifts to help secure Ridgeview’s future and focuses on key areas of need, including cancer care. Your gift will help ensure that other women, men and families coping with the challenge of cancer treatment can receive the same high quality of care and personalized support that Carol and her family have received.

For nearly two decades, Ridgeview’s Cancer Care program has earned national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Only 30 percent of U.S. hospitals have this designation. For patients and their families it means receiving the highest-quality cancer care close to home.

Above, pictured left to right: Jim Borg, Carol Borg and Dr. Kamran Darabi, Ridgeview Oncologist.

Below: Carol and Jim with grandkids.

Achieving a Healthy Balance women’s event a success!Nearly 200 women attended Ridgeview’s 12th Annual Achieving a Healthy Balance on Nov. 1 at Oak Ridge Conference Center in Chaska.

The event included guest speakers, shopping, wonderful food and a lot of fun. Guests learned the value of good posture from Anne Voas, director, Ridgeview Rehab Specialties; were enlightened by Dr. Henry Emmons’ presentation on how to create a resilient life; and laughed with Amy Dee.

More than $7,000 was raised for the Ridgeview Hospice program. This money will help pay for services that are not typically covered by insurance, including music therapy, massage therapy, prayer shawls and memory books. These meaningful services enhance the care a hospice patient receives.

Mark your calendars for next year’s event: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

Giving before year-end packs a double punch. First, you will be supporting the works and dreams of your charity of choice. Second, tax incentives may enable you to do more than you realized was possible, even improving your own financial position in the process. The availability of the income tax deduction helps a charitable person be even more charitable. How It WorksIf you itemize deductions, a gift is deductible in the year you make it. Generally, the effect of the deduction is that the higher your income tax bracket, the more you will save in taxes. Many states also allow an income tax deduction for charitable gifts, so the total tax savings are often higher than those generated by the federal income tax deduction alone. If you have had to take the standard deduction in past years, giving more may increase your deductions above the standard. This qualifies you for a greater tax benefit.

What Should You Give?Gifts of Cash: Nothing is as simple and direct as giving cash. You can make an unrestricted donation, and we will use the gift to meet our greatest current need. Or you may designate a gift for a specific purpose.

Gifts of Securities: Stocks or other investments that have grown in value and that you have owned longer than one year can become a substantial gift with a low net cost to you. You receive a charitable deduction for the donation, which is based on the stocks’ fair market value on the date of the gift. And, there is a bonus—you eliminate all federal capital gains tax that would otherwise be owed on a sale of the assets.

Gifts of Real Estate: Perhaps your first thought is that you do not own property near our location. The fact is, almost any real estate—developed or undeveloped—is potentially a charitable gift. If you have owned your home or other real estate for a

long time, it likely has significantly increased in value. Donate the property outright, place it in trust or retain the use of it for life. All of these methods will enable you to enjoy financial benefits while supporting our work.

Effectively Timing Your GiftIf you are issuing a check to a charitable organization, the effective date of your contribution is the date it is hand-delivered or mailed. Stock that is held in electronic form can be transferred through your broker to an account in the charitable organization’s name. The value and date of the gift are determined by the date of the transfer, which is generally the date the securities are received in our account. The actual date of a gift of real estate is the date you deliver the signed deed.

Contact Ridgeview Foundation at 952-442-6010 for more information about year-end giving strategies.

Your guide to year-end giving: plan carefully for the biggest impact

To meet the needs of its patients, Ridgeview continues to expand the services, specialty care and access to physicians. Welcome to these new providers who joined Ridgeview in 2014.

Rebecca Baudoin, MD, OB/GYN, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview ClinicsSarah Bot, PA, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview ClinicsKevin Brown, DO, neurology, Ridgeview Specialty Clinic–Neurology Michael Douglas, MD, family medicine, Ridgeview Arlington Clinic and Ridgeview Winthrop Clinic, Urgent Care/Emergency Department, Ridgeview Sibley Medical CenterGregory Geise, MD, internal medicine, Ridgeview HospitalistHaizal Hamza, MD, internal medicine, Ridgeview Chanhassen Clinic

Shawn Johnson, CNM, certified nurse midwife, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview ClinicsKrista Loop, FNP-C, certified family nurse practitioner, Ridgeview Westonka ClinicStephen Ready, MD, family medicine, Ridgeview Chaska ClinicRiddell W. Scott, MD, dermatology, Ridgeview Specialty Clinic– DermatologyCharles J. Snow, MD, OB/GYN, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview Clinics

For more information about these providers and other Ridgeview providers visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org.

Ridgeview welcomes new providers

Ridgeview Goes Hollywood Under the Harvest MoonRidgeview Foundation raised $375,000—an all-time high—at the fifth annual Harvest Moon event at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Nov. 22. More than 300 guests participated in the Ridgeview Goes Hollywood–themed festivities, highlighted by KARE 11’s Randy Shaver as emcee and Stacey McCurnin as auctioneer.

The evening featured a live auction, costume contest, party fridge raffle, great food and drink, and a drawing for a diamond ring. All proceeds from the event are earmarked for the Foundation’s Every Moment Counts endowment campaign. Foundation Board and staff secured wonderful auction items including: a Ladies’ Weekend in Beverly Hills, front-row People’s Choice Award tickets, and a Guys’ Weekend in Boston with tickets to a game at Fenway Park. The Board also donated a premier Minnesota professional sports package, a Lake Minnetonka yacht cruise, and gourmet dinners at Lola’s Lakehouse and Hazellewood Grill and Tap Room.

Thanks so much for all who were in attendance or donated to this important event.

Year in Review

2014 Ridgeview Foundation Health Care Scholarship recipients with Board member Linda Roebke.

Ridgeview Friends & Family volunteers gather to clean a 2-mile Adopt-a-Highway stretch outside of St. Bonifacius this fall.

Volunteers help weed the roof-top garden funded by Ridgeview Friends & Family.

Jon Hoese and Tammy Retka toured the Communication Center that their family helped fund.

Golf & Taste Celebration co-chairs Jeff Nelson and Dave Philp enjoy another successful event.

Friends of Ridgeview enjoy a fun evening at ENKI Brewery, purchased in the Golf & Taste Celebration live auction.

Guests gather at the Memorial Day Reception in May to honor and remember those that we have lost.

Ridgeview Friends & Family co-chair Paul Whittaker with committee member Linda McGerr at the 10th Annual Come Together event.

2014

Robert and Cindy Stevens with Ann and Norm Hoffman at the spring donor dinner.

Golfers celebrate a great shot on the course at Island View Golf Club at the 29th Annual Golf & Taste Celebration.

The Flores family was reunited with the Ridgeview staff and first responders who helped save their 4-month-old daughter, Morel.

Ridgeview benefactors gathered in April for the annual Founder’s Society and Legacy Society donor dinner at BayView Events Center.

490 S. Maple Street, Suite 110 • Waconia, MN 55387www.ridgeviewfoundation.org • 952-442-6010

For news and event information from Ridgeview Medical Center and Clinics, join Ridgeview online:

www.facebook.com/ridgeviewmedical www.youtube.com/ridgeviewmedical www.linkedin.com/company/ridgeview-medical-center https://twitter.com/ridgeviewmed https://health.ridgeviewmedical.org

©2015 Ridgeview Medical CenterIf you would like to stop receiving Ridgeview Foundation printed material, please send an email, including your name and address, to foundation@ridgeviewmedical.org or call 952-442-6010.

Board of DirectorsNancy Bach, Wayzata

Brian Beniek, Mound

Jean Buller, Chair, Chaska

Dermot Cowley, Secretary, Watertown

Stacy Desai, Eden Prairie

Tim Foster, Wayzata

Fred Green, Edina

Darla Holmgren, Finance Chair, Waconia

Greg Kummer, Norwood Young America

Jim Leonard, Chaska

Brian Mark, Excelsior

Rick Polk, Excelsior

Linda Roebke, Waconia

Daniel Ross, DDS, Chaska

Lorene Rutherford, MD, Plymouth

Charles Spevacek,Vice Chair, Shorewood

Mark Steingas, Excelsior

Carla Struble, Chaska

Paul Whittaker, Waconia

Larry Wilhelm, Excelsior

David Windschitl, Chanhassen

Steve Youngstedt, Deephaven

Ex-Officio Robert Stevens, President and CEO,

Ridgeview Medical Center

Doug Stasek, Executive Director,

Ridgeview Foundation

Look Good … Feel BetterThis free service teaches cancer patients beauty techniques to help enhance appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Participants will receive a free makeup kit. This support group is co-sponsored by Ridgeview Medical Center and the American Cancer Society.

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 4–6 p.m.

To register for this free session, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

Prenatal ClassesLed by certified instructors, Ridgeview’s Childbirth Preparation Class and Breastfeeding Class will help prepare expectant parents for the last months of pregnancy and for the new baby’s arrival. A tour of Ridgeview’s Birthing Center is included in the Childbirth Preparation Class.

Visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events to view dates and times these classes are offered and to register. You may also call 952-442-8083.

Birthing Center ToursLearn about Ridgeview’s Birthing Center through a guided tour, and get general information about your future stay at Ridgeview. Tours will be conducted by an OB nurse or a certified childbirth educator, who can answer questions about your care at Ridgeview.

These tours are ideal for expectant parents and those who are planning to start a family.

Visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events to view dates and times of tours and to register. You may also call 952-442-8083.

Classes & Events