By Michael Howell
Since 2011, the Daly Hospital Foundation has been recognizing major donors by placing their names on the Power of Health Honor Wall located just inside the main entrance to Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. Actually a sculpture created by Tim Campbell in 2011, the Honor Wall has been used to recognize those who have given generously to several capital campaigns including the construction of the Intensive Care Unit. Since then, the Daly Hospital Foundation has continued to recognize its major donors by placing their names on the wall in appreciation of their generous gifts.
On Friday, June 16, the foundation held an informal gathering at the Honor Wall where Daly Hospital Foundation Board Treasurer Owen Robbins presented a major update to the Honor Wall by adding 23 new rocks. Each rock represents a donor, some new and some not so new at all. Some are employees who have been donating regularly through payroll deduction donations long enough to qualify themselves to become major donors of the hospital and earn a spot on the Honor Wall. Another 14 employees were moved up to the next giving level because of their consistent gifts.
A few of the employees spoke about why they give, including Michele Adams, MDMH Lab, Patty Chaplin, MDMH Business Analyst, and Jennifer Feighner, MD.
“When I think of why I give, two things come to mind … my family may need to utilize services offered at MDMH at any given time and I know after working here for many years, MDMH prioritizes capital and expenditures with patient care in mind – as a result providing state of the art equipment and infrastructure to support quality and safety,” said Chaplin.
Robbins also recognized Colter Mason, a Hamilton High School graduate who spent his last week of high school engraving every rock and plaque that is now on the board.
“Originally, printed stickers were used, but were not standing the test of time. Now, because of Colter’s problem solving and skillset, the engravings will last forever,” said Robbins. “Because of his great work, the Daly Hospital Foundation is sending a scholarship donation to Montana State University in his behalf and we wish him the best of luck.”
Robbins also thanked Mr. Brent Holmes, the shop teacher at Hamilton High School, “for supporting this cooperative effort” and Terry Frey from Valley Sheet Metal in Hamilton for cutting and donating more steel nameplates.