AMERY, WI – The Hugh J. Andersen Foundation and the Andersen Corporate Foundation donated $100,000 each- totaling $200,000- to Amery Regional Medical Center for the development of the new healthcare facility located at 265 Griffin Street East in Amery.  Both foundations, located in Bayport, Minnesota, are focused on improving and strengthening the communities in which Andersen employees work and live.

With the help of grantmakers and philanthropists like Hugh J. Andersen and the Andersen Corporate Foundations’, Amery Regional Medical Center has forged ahead toward their mission – to provide accessible, comprehensive, quality healthcare and to promote the health and wellness of their communities.  Vince Lombardi was quoted as saying, “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual,” which wholly applies to the building of a community and its’ healthcare facility.

In addition, ARMC started an internal fundraising campaign in November to aid in the development of the new healthcare facility.  The campaign’s purpose is to raise funds for the implementation of four special features at the future facility.  These features include plants for the rain gardens instead of seeding these areas, installation of the green roof, additional furnishings for the chapel including a water feature, and a walking path along the Apple River for the community.  The goal for the internal fund raising campaign has been set at $350,000.  The ARMC Foundation donated $100,000 to the fund drive leaving a balance of $250,000 being requested from employees, management, medical staff, the board of directors and the ARMC volunteer partners.

Amery Regional Medical Center originally broke ground at the future site in May of 2006 and has made tremendous strides with the construction of the new facility.  The 120,000 square foot facility with an estimated cost of $36.5 million is scheduled for completion September 2007.  Currently, the facility is fully enclosed with over half of the exterior brick, block, and window installation completed.  Interior finishes are equally on pace for the September completion date.

The 28-acre lot, on which the new medical center is being built, will include additional clinic exam rooms, 25 private inpatient rooms, expanded emergency care area, increased space for surgical, laboratory and radiology services as well as a fixed MRI scanner.  Special amenities such as a chapel, expanded parking, educational spaces, and a dining area will also be a part of the new facility.

“The tremendous support we have received from not only the Hugh J. Andersen and the Andersen Corporate Foundations’, but also from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation has demonstrated their belief in our Medical Center as well as the future of our community.  Our commitment and promise has not changed; we will continue to provide quality healthcare while promoting wellness to the communities we serve.  The new Medical Center is the foundation of the future and it will only help us strengthen our commitment to you,” stated Chief Executive Officer of Amery Regional Medical Center, Michael Karuschak, Jr.

Construction on schedule at the future site of Amery Regional Medical Center.