“Our goal is to teach teens all of the skills they need to know to be a safe and responsible babysitter,” said Jennifer Hamman, AGH’s Babysitting Course Instructor and AHA Training Center Manager.

Topics covered in class include: caring for children and infants; infant and child CPR; being a good role model; making good decisions; keeping the children you baby-sit safe; handling emergencies such as injuries, illnesses & household accidents; and more. At the completion of the class, each student will receive a completion card.

The cost of this eight hour course is $55, which includes lunch and workbook. However, the Allegan General Hospital Foundation has generously offered to provide a $25 scholarship to each child registered for this class, bringing the cost down to $30 per student.

Space is limited. Individuals can register online at allegangeneral.org or call AGH’s Community Events Line at (269) 686-4231.

Allegan General Hospital is a community hospital that focuses on providing exceptional, compassionate and personalized healthcare to the community it serves. The hospital has been named three years in a row by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Allegan General provides a wide range of healthcare services, including bariatrics, surgery, sleep center, emergency, physical rehabilitation and mental health. For more information about the hospital, visit www.allegangeneral.org.

“The Foundation significantly increased the amount awarded for health care scholarships over the past few years,” said Brent Larson, AGH Foundation Executive Director. “I hope we can continue that growth. The more we can support and encourage talented people to enhance their knowledge and skills, the better our overall health care system will become. The demand for more nurses, doctors, and other health professionals will grow in the coming years because of health reform, and due to the continuing aging of our nation’s population. One of the best ways to attract and retain talented people to provide care is to encourage them in advancing their abilities.”

Allegan Healthcare Group team members that received fall 2012 scholarships awards were: Ashley Allen (Allegan), IT – Allegan Professional Health Services; Margaret Brown (Allegan), Quality & Staff Education; Amanda DeRooy, Critical Care Unit (Allegan); Robbi Dobbins (Gobles), Lab; Angela Hosek-Wilson (Kalamazoo), Operating Room; Jeffrey Jousma (Hamilton), Allegan Medical Clinic; Bradley Maue (Shelbyville), Critical Care Unit; Dylan Meade (Allegan), Nursing Administration; and Jamie Thorpe (Allegan), Cardiac Services.

These scholarship recipients were honored at a ceremony on December 6 at Allegan General Hospital in front of their peers, family members, board members and others who attended to wish them well as they begin or continue their studies to gain further health care skills and knowledge to serve others.

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation awards scholarships twice yearly. The scholarship fund is made up of the Schuyler Mellen Education Endowment Fund, Marie Hall Nursing Scholarship Fund, Debra Rae Daniels Memorial Fund, and a general fund maintained by the Allegan General Hospital Foundation. The Foundation’s scholarship awards are an important part of the organization’s mission to “invest in the health of our community.”

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation invites and accepts financial gifts to help further the mission of Allegan General Hospital, and to support selected health-related projects in the community. It is a resource for people interested in “investing in the health of our community.” In addition to scholarship programs, the Foundation supports new health care programs and facilities, helps purchase clinical equipment, and sponsors wellness initiatives. For more information about the AGH Foundation, please call (269) 686-4234 or visit aghfountation.org.

“The Spirit of Women Awards was designed to celebrate the accomplishments, achievements, and “spirit” of girls and women in our region,” says Jennifer Dentler, AGH Spirit of Women Coordinator. “It’s an awards program for the unsung heroine of everyday life, someone who has made a significant difference in the life of an individual or a community. We received many wonderful nominations for each of the three categories and let me tell you we have a lot of exceptional ladies in the area. It was not an easy decision for the selection committee to make.”

Young Person Role Model Award

The winner of the Young Person Role Model Award (ages 18 and under) was Kathryn Lugten of Hamilton. Kathryn is a junior in high school at Hamilton High School. And unlike many kids her age, Kathryn chooses to volunteer because she wants to and considers volunteering something that is fun. One of her biggest motivators in volunteering is making sure everyone has their basic needs met.

“There are many kids my age who go to bed hungry at night and don’t have personal need items or clothes to keep them warm,” says Kathryn. “These are things that many of us take for granted.”

Twice a week during the summer, Kathryn helped serve lunches to area kids at Pullman Elementary. Many of these kids receive free/reduced lunches at school. The program is designed to make sure kids get proper nourishment and don’t go hungry during the summer when school is out. She also helps out at the food pantry at Love Inc. in Hamilton. Kathryn is also involved with Students Assisting Students Anounymously (SASA) through school and a member of the Allegan County Community Foundation’s TAG Team.

Kathryn was nominated by her mother Laura Jousma. Someone Kathryn considers her role model. “Kathryn is a young lady with a big heart, who goes out of her way to help those in need,” said Laura.

Innovative Spirit Award

Andrea Mack of Allegan is the recipient of the Innovative Spirit Award (ages 19 – 54). Andrea is the band director for Allegan Public Schools where she has directed the pep band, concert band, solo/ensemble and marching band for the past 11 years. Andrea was nominated by two band parents, Shannon McVoy and Julie McKeever.

Andrea says it is her students that inspire her. Each morning she wakes up with the goal of making sure the hour her students spend in the band room the best hour of their day. She does so by trying to provide a fun, supportive and positive environment.

“Andrea goes above and beyond to get students involved in band and keep them involved in band,” said Julie McKeever. “She provides a platform for excellence, but also a supportive environment for all students whether they are the best or worst student in band.”

Andrea has made it her goal to make sure that any child that wants to participate in band is able to. Due to the current economic conditions, not all families are able to afford the cost of purchasing or renting an instrument for their child. She does not want to see money as a barrier in participating in band. She has been reaching out to the community seeking donations to help her purchase instruments or refurbish instruments for these students. She also accepts donations of older instruments, which she can have refurbished.

Inspired Generation

Judy Bohl resident of Otsego was chosen for the Inspired Spirit Award. (ages 55+) She
was nominated by her daughter-n-law Anne Bohl.

“She has changed the lives of so many families through her compassion and tireless efforts,” said Anne on her nomination form. “Judy does not judge. She knows that every life matters and she will spend the rest of her life helping people.”

Judy has been involved in many projects over the years. And she attributes her strong faith that inspires her to make her community and world a better place.

She and her husband Jerry have opened their heart and home for numerous foster children over the years. They have also participated in a program called Healing the Children. This program provides medical care for children in need from around the world, who come to the United States for care that is not available in their home country. Judy provided a nurturing and supportive environment for children during their surgeries and recover time. And when a need was seen to help women and their children fleeing domestic violence, they built an addition onto their home to accommodate extra individuals. Again opening her heart and home, she created a supportive environment for women until they could get back on their feet.

After a mission trip to El Salvador in the mid-90’s, Judy and her husband were astounded by the poor quality of the drinking water. Once they returned home, they worked together to figure out a way to provide safe drinking water to the country. After researching various options, they discovered a purification system built by a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. This professor shared his plans with them and they in turn refined them. And in 2002, they placed their first water purification system in El Savador giving access to clean drinking water to roughly 300 children. Since then Judy & Jerry’s water project has become a non-profit organization called Clean Water for the World.

Allegan General Hospital is a community hospital that focuses on providing exceptional, compassionate and personalized healthcare to the community it serves. The hospital has been named three years in a row by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Allegan General provides a wide range of healthcare services, including bariatrics, surgery, sleep center, emergency, physical rehabilitation and mental health. For more information about the hospital, visit www.allegangeneral.org.

For the second year in a row, Kenneth Brooks (Portage, MI) was the overall male winner. Kenneth was the first person to cross the finish line at 16:11. A very close second was Paul Gennaro (Abington, PA), who crossed the finish line one second behind Kenneth at 16:12. The third overall male winner was Jesse Aukeman (Byron Center, MI) who finished the race at 17:11.

Jessica Shaw (Allegan, MI) was the overall female winner. Her time was 19:31. This is the fourth year in a row that Jessica has taken home this honor. Chelsey Jones (Kalmazoo, MI) was the second overall female winner at 20:07 and Erin Kennedy (Phoenix, AZ) finished third at 20:23.

Gena Vandermeulen (Shelbyville, MI) was the overall female masters’ winner and Kerry Robbert (Allegan, MI) was the overall male masters’ winner.

The winning team in the team division was the Ferocious 5K-ers – Jessica Shaw, Rachel Bartz, Aiden Knoll, Travis Lynch, Kyle Sousley and Paula Chalupa.

Strides for Health 5K Run/Walk was a put on by the Allegan General Hospital Foundation, Allegan Tigershark Aquatic Club, and Allegan Public Schools’ Swimming and Diving Program in an effort to maintain and improve the health of the community. For more information, please visit www.stridesforhealth.com or www.facebook.com/stridesforhealth5K.

###
For a complete listing of race results visit: www.classicrace.com or http://resultsarchive.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventLinkageID=89373

The winners of the team division was the Ferocious 5K-ers: Kyle Sousley (239), Aiden Knoll (287), Jessica Shaw (286), Rachel Bartz (28) and Travis Lynch (285). Not pictured Paula Chalupa.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three males and females overall, as well as the top male and female masters finishers. Medals will be given to the top three males and females in each age group. The awards ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

New this year, 5K participants will receive a tech t-shirt, while supplies last. Free health screenings will be available, as well as great refreshments including such favorites as breakfast pizza and fruit and yogurt parfaits.

The adults won’t be the only ones having all of the fun. In addition to the 5K race, Chemical Bank is sponsoring a 1-mile Kids’ Fun Run. The Fun Run will begin at 9:45 a.m. and all children participating will receive a t-shirt and a medal.

The $20 early registration fee for the 5K ends August 10, after which point the fee is $25 through race day. Registration for the Kids’ Fun Run is only $5. For more information about the race please visit the website at www.stridesforhealth.com or call Bill Hammer at (269) 673-5431 ext. 3003.

Allegan General Hospital’s Spirit of Women program and the Allegan General Hospital Foundation are seeking out girls and women who have done just that. Nominations are being accepted so that these unsung heroes may be recognized for their acts of service in their community.

“The Spirit of Women Awards was designed to celebrate the accomplishments, achievements, and “spirit” of girls and women in our region,” said Jennifer Dentler, AGH Spirit of Women Coordinator. “It’s an Awards Program for the unsung heroine of everyday life, someone who has made an important contribution or overcome challenging obstacles.”

Nominees are individuals who have done something selfless or extraordinary for their community. One individual from three different categories will be selected. These categories include: Young Person Role Model, ages 18 and under; Innovative Spirit, 19-54 years of age; and Inspired Generation, age 55 and over.

This is the second year for the award. Last year’s award winners were: Allie Siegler, Allegan – Young Person Role Model Award (18 and under); Glenda Knarian, Allegan – Innovative Spirit Award (ages 19 – 54); and Ruth Berkin, Allegan – Inspired Generation Award (ages 55+).

The winners will be selected based on the contributions they have made to their community and on the impact they have made on the lives of others. All three winners will be recognized on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at a recognition dinner held at Cheshire Hills Golf Course.

To submit an online nomination, go to aghspirit.org/sowawards and fill out a nomination form by Thursday, August 30, 2012.

Allegan General Hospital is a community hospital that focuses on providing exceptional, compassionate and personalized healthcare to the community it serves. The hospital recently received Michigan Rural Health Quality Improvement Award and has been named two years in a row by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Allegan General provides a wide range of healthcare services, including bariatrics, surgery, sleep center, emergency, physical rehabilitation.

Photo: High School Scholarship Winners From left to right: Hannah Brinkman (Plainwell), Heather Thompke (Plainwell), Keara Kilbane (Hopkins), Kelsey Whitcomb ( Hamilton), Lauren Crane (Allegan) and Ashley Doolittle (Allegan).

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation recently awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors and employees of the Allegan Healthcare Group, to support training and higher education studies in health care.

High School Students receiving awards were: Hannah Brinkman, Plainwell; Heather Thompke, Plainwell; Keara Kilbane, Hopkins; Kelsey Whitcomb, Hamilton; Lauren Crane, Allegan; and Ashley Doolittle,

Allegan Healthcare Group team members that received scholarships were: Colleen Cupani, Wound Healing Center; Christine Greer, Allegan Homecare; Margaret Brown, Quality; Amy DeWeerd Med Surg; Dylan Meade, CCU/Lab; and Cynthia Williams, Med Surg. Lisa Striegle, Infection Control/Employee Health, received the Marie Hall Memorial Nursing Scholarship and Dale Chapman, Med Surg/CCU, won the Debra Rae Daniels Memorial Scholarship.

“It is one of the most rewarding things we are able to do through the Allegan General Hospital Foundation – providing scholarships to support future health care providers and encourage those who seek to build their knowledge and skills to better serve others in health care,” said Brent Larson, executive director of the Foundation.

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation awards scholarships twice yearly. Awards to high school students are presented each spring. The scholarship fund is made up of the Schuyler Mellen Education Endowment Fund, Marie Hall Nursing Scholarship Fund, Debra Rae Daniels Memorial Fund, and a general fund maintained by the Allegan General Hospital Foundation.

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation invites and accepts financial gifts to help further the mission of Allegan General Hospital, and to support selected health-related projects in the community. It is a resource for people interested in “investing in the health of our community.” In addition to scholarship programs, the Foundation supports new health care programs and facilities, helps purchase clinical equipment, and sponsors wellness initiatives. For more information about the AGH Foundation, please call (269) 686-4234 or visit aghfoundation.org.

###

The training program will last 10 weeks. Once a week, there will be group walk/run to help to inspire and motivate participants throughout the program. Individuals will also have the opportunity to attend informational meetings on nutrition, footwear, strength training and conditioning for runners and walkers. Additionally, participants will receive a training schedule to guide them through the process of self-training in preparation for the race.

The training will kick-off with an informational session on Friday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Michigan Room, located on the lower level. Group walks and runs will begin on Wednesday, June 13 and will continue on a weekly basis until the Strides for Health 5K.

The cost for participating in the training is $10. However, individuals who complete 70% of the group walks or runs will receive a $10 credit towards their Strides for Health 5k registration fee.

For further questions about the Strides for Health training program, please contact Katie Homkes at (269) 686-4074 or Natale Elenbaas at (269) 686-4082. Additional information can also be found at www.stridesforheath.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stridesforhealth5k.

# # #

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in healthcare and be in good standing at a high school in Allegan General Hospital’s primary or secondary service areas (Allegan, Bangor, Bloomingdale, Fennville, Gobles, Hamilton, Martin, Otsego, Plainwell, Hopkins and Wayland).

“Investing in both our current and future healthcare teams is an essential part of our Foundation’s work on behalf of the communities we serve,” said Brent L. Larson, executive director of the Allegan General Hospital Foundation. “These scholarship awards are available because of donations made by community members to help ensure that welltrained, dedicated health care professionals are available now and for future generations.”

Application forms and information are available on the foundation’s website aghfoundation.org. Forms are also available from high school counselors or by calling the AGH Foundation at (269) 686-4234. To be considered, applications must be received by the Foundation office on or before Friday, April 20, 2012.

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation Scholarship Fund is made up of the Schuyler Mellen Education Endowment Fund, Marie Hall Nursing Scholarship Fund and general fund maintained by the Allegan General Hospital Foundation.

The Allegan General Hospital Foundation invites and accepts financial gifts to help further the mission of Allegan General Hospital, and to support selected health-related projects in the community. It is a resource for people interested in “investing in the health of our community.” In addition to scholarship programs, the Foundation supports new health care programs and facilities, helps purchase clinical equipment, and sponsors wellness initiatives. For more information about the AGH Foundation, please call (269) 686-4234 or visit our Scholarship page.