Welcome New Board Members

Pictured: Terry Morrow, president, Bronson Health Foundation; Rachel Worgess, outgoing board chair;

 Don Williamson, incoming board chair; Bill Manns, president and CEO Bronson Healthcare

The Bronson Health Foundation board of directors starts the new year with a new chair, Don Williamson from W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He steps into the role after Rachel Worgess's term expired at the end of the year.

We also extend our gratitude to outgoing board members, Bill DeNooyer, Dr. Mahesh Karamchandani, and Von Washington Jr.



We also welcome a slate of new board members. We are grateful to all of these community leaders who provide their guidance and insight.

Thank You Donors and Friends!

Great news! Thanks to our generous donors, we have raised nearly $300,000 in our annual Good Neighbor campaign, and the gifts continue to come in. That's a great testament to wonderful donors who are helping patients and families facing health challenges.

With that, we closed out 2024 by raising more than $10.4 million to help support programs, services, new technology and more. Thank you!

In Recognition for Compassion and Caring

In December, Bronson awarded four providers with the 2024 Compassionate Physician/Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award. This year, the honorees include three physicians and one advanced practice provider. Recipients who were nominated and chosen by their peers include: Hari Nair, MD, with Bronson Oncology & Hematology Specialists in Battle Creek; Amanda Walker, DO, Bronson Obstetrics, Gynecology & Midwifery Specialists in Kalamazoo and South Haven; Spencer Winters, MD, Bronson Adult Critical Care in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek; Kirsten Bonifacio, PhD, Bronson Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Specialists in Kalamazoo.

The 2024 Bronson Compassionate Physician and Compassionate Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Awards are presented through the generosity of donors to Bronson Health Foundation including:

• Gretchen LaReau Memorial Fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, supporting one physician award in Kalamazoo County
• Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Community Partners, supporting recipient(s) from Calhoun County
• Bernice DeHaan Memorial Donor Advised Fund

Gifts from the Heart

Many gifts to Bronson Health Foundation come with a story. For Ilona and Mike Erskine, it's a story of remembrance and hope.

Ilona gave birth to twins on Christmas eve 2023. Sadly, little Ayden passed away. Oakley, who spent 49 days in the NICU, just celebrated his first birthday.

As a way to process her grief, Ilona put together various care bags - some for pediatric patients, some for NICU families, and some for families that experienced a child loss. The items in the bags include books that Ilona designed and published; coloring books; journals for parents who have experienced a loss and more.

“This gift is in remembrance of Ayden and in honor of Oakley’s NICU and hospital stay," says Ilona. "We wanted to give back one year later to other families with the help of our community.”

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