After trailblazing new foundations, medical facilities and programs throughout his life, Dr. Erwin Philip “Dit” Wenz passed away peacefully at his home in Roseville, MN at the age of 95.
Dr. Wenz was the last living founder of Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) which was formed in 1962 to build Dakota Hospital. The new non-profit hospital opened in November of 1964 and quickly became a major referral center. Eventually, the hospital was sold to a for-profit medical network and the proceeds provided an endowment for DMF to start grant-making in 1996. Today, DMF leads initiatives to improve health and access to care, build nonprofit leaders who host exceptional fundraisers and invest in breakthrough improvement ideas.
Lend A Hand Up was launched in 2008. As a 501c3 subsidiary of DMF, the program’s mission is to increase financial help for local families in medical crisis. Since DMF pays for all operational costs, 100% of gifts made to and through Lend A Hand Up directly help families in medical crisis. Since 2008, Lend A Hand Up and community members have raised nearly $19 M for 545 area families.
