Last Call for TCMH Healthcare Foundation Tax Credits

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation is making the last call for tax credits as the 2015 giving season comes to a close.

In July 2013, the Healthcare Foundation received $250,000 in tax credits from the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) to benefit the Care for Your Future campaign to build a new surgery department at TCMH.

The 50% tax credits awarded by the MDFB will help the TCMH Healthcare Foundation raise an additional $500,000 for the building project.  The Healthcare Foundation has until the end of the year to allocate all of the tax credits.

Because the tax credit program for the Healthcare Foundation will end this year, Jay Gentry, director of the Healthcare Foundation is trying to find businesses and individuals that need tax deductions before the end of the year or businesses and individuals that wish to offset their future tax liability.

“The tax credit program is another way for the Healthcare Foundation to provide a tax deduction for area businesses and individuals while adding to the healthcare infrastructure in our county,” Gentry explained.

Although the tax credits are a new fund raising tool for the Healthcare Foundation, Gentry confirmed that $96,500 in tax credits has already been allocated, which has raised $193,000 for the building project.

Tax credit eligible donations can be in the form of cash or marketable securities.

“The tax credits provide a unique opportunity for donors to receive the traditional federal income tax benefit as well as a Missouri tax credit,” Gentry said.

The tax credits can benefit individuals, estates, trusts and corporations that are subject to Missouri state income tax imposed under Chapter 143.

Gentry noted that depending upon a business or individuals’ tax bracket, a large donation could actually represent a small net donation cost to the donor.

The tax credits are transferable, too.

“The tax credits have a five-year carry forward provision,” Gentry said.  “They can be used in one year, spread out over several years or saved to be used in a lump sum up to five years after the donation.”

The credits are also sellable and transferable.  They must sell for no less than 75 percent or no more than 100 percent of their original value.

“The tax credits are sought by individuals and organizations from across the state, which is a great opportunity for the Healthcare Foundation,” Gentry said, explaining that some local businesses and individuals with state tax liability “jumped at the opportunity” for the tax credits.

“The tax credits are a great way for area residents to make a local impact with funds that would otherwise be owed in state taxes,” Gentry said.

Gentry explained that donors utilizing the tax credits will also be eligible for the naming opportunities available in the new construction.

In order to receive the donation credit for the 2015 tax year, the donation and MDFB paperwork must be completed and filed with MDFB by Thur., Dec. 31st.

“We are working hard to get the word out to those that might have a state tax liability for 2015, so they can make a difference with their tax dollars this year or by offsetting their tax liability in future years,” Gentry said.  He has been working with accounting firms and tax advisors throughout Southern Missouri in an effort to inform others about the tax credits.

“This is another great opportunity for the Healthcare Foundation to take advantage of additional funds to benefit our county and healthcare in our community, so we want to try to take advantage of every dollar available,” Gentry said.

Additional information about the tax credits is available online at www.tcmhfoundation.org or by contacting Gentry at (417) 967-4202.

 

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

TCMH Healthcare Foundation to Award $2,000 in Scholarships

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation plans to award $2,000 in educational scholarships for the spring 2016 academic year.  The organization is currently accepting applications for the scholarships.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation Educational Scholarship Program is designed to assist students that are pursuing or planning to pursue education in a healthcare related field or students currently working in healthcare that are pursuing additional education for their current career.

The Healthcare Foundation is in its eighth year of awarding scholarships in the fall and the spring, and the Foundation’s board of directors has awarded scholarships totaling $65,000 in that time.  Students from towns across the TCMH service area have received the scholarships.

“Educational scholarships are a major focus area of the Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, stated.  “The board of directors of the Foundation recognizes the need to assist areas students in their educational endeavors with hopes that the student will return to or stay in the Texas County area to provide healthcare services to area residents after receiving additional education.”

Endowed scholarships provide some of the educational funds, and the Healthcare Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the scholarship program.  The annual golf tournament is scheduled for June 11, 2016.

Eligible students for the scholarships must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited university, college or post-secondary training program.  Residents of the TCMH service area—all of Texas County and Mountain Grove—and students that are graduates of Texas County and Mountain Grove schools are eligible to apply.  Applicants already pursuing a career in a healthcare organization, or applicants planning to pursue a career in a health field with direct patient care are eligible to apply for the scholarships.

The scholarship application asks for information about the student and requires a short essay about the student’s career and educational goals.  Applicants are also asked to list community involvement activities on their application, and they may be asked to meet with Foundation board members for a short personal interview.

The deadline for the spring scholarship application is January 15, 2016.  Awards for the scholarship will be announced by February 1, 2016.

For more information about the scholarship program or to receive an application, contact Gentry by phone at (417) 967-1377 or 1-866-967-3311, ext. 377 or by e-mail at jgentry@tcmh.org.  The scholarship application and complete details are also available at https://www.tcmhfoundation.org/events-programs/scholarships/.

 

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

Chili Cook Off Raises $48,300 for Hospice of Care

The Ninth Annual Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation Chili Cook Off in Houston on November 7th raised $48,300 for TCMH Hospice of Care. About 300 people participated in the event at the Texas County Fairgrounds and Community Building, sampling 25 different chili recipes.

The Healthcare Foundation sponsors the annual Chili Cook Off to benefit Hospice of Care, and this year 17 cook off teams did their part by raising over $19,000 for the effort.

Members of “The Chili Warriors” from the TCMH Dietary department raised $3389.12 for Hospice of Care.

Members of “The Chili Warriors” from the TCMH Dietary department raised $3389.12 for Hospice of Care.

Five member teams adopted a theme, a team name, and set about raising funds for their team earlier in the year through “casual days” at work, yard sales, raffles, and bake sales.

The cook off teams set up booths according to their team theme on Friday and Saturday morning of the event. Some teams, like Licking United Methodist Church–“Heavenly Chili”–keep the same theme each year, offering up again Dutch oven cooked chili described as ”hotter than hell, but closer to heaven. The TCMH emergency medical services team participates with a different theme each year. This year the “EMS Misfits” dressed as elves from the Island of Misfits in the classic Christmas movie, “Rudolph”.

The TCMH EMS Misfits won the top Judges’ prize for their white, mild chili. They also were the top “TCMH Choice” by hospital employees that voted for their favorite hospital team.

The TCMH EMS Misfits won the top Judges’ prize for their white, mild chili. They also were the top “TCMH Choice” by hospital employees that voted for their favorite hospital team.

Members of the Houston Schools Administration brought “Restore the Roar” chili to the cook off.

Members of the Houston Schools Administration brought “Restore the Roar” chili to the cook off.

Houston R-1 School, “Restore the Roar” team designed their cook off booth like a parade float, and the school tiger mascot joined in the fun. The Houston Walmart Supercenter “Waverunners” set up a beachside bar to serve up their chili with sunscreen on their noses and floppy hats on their heads.

The Walmart Waverunners took home the 3rd place award for “Team Fundraising” with $2399.90 raised through fundraisers at the Houston Walmart Supercenter.

The Walmart Waverunners took home the 3rd place award for “Team Fundraising” with $2399.90 raised through fundraisers at the Houston Walmart Supercenter.

The team fundraising award was the final prize presented to the chili cook off teams on Saturday, and the “Chili Warriors”, a Native American themed team from the TCMH dietary department, won the top prize by raising $3,389.12.

Ebowla Chili-Team Jayson raised $2959.60 and won 2nd place for “Team Fundraising”. They Ebowla Chili team was organized in memory of Jayson Gentry of Cabool.

Ebowla Chili-Team Jayson raised $2959.60 and won 2nd place for “Team Fundraising”. They Ebowla Chili team was organized in memory of Jayson Gentry of Cabool.

“Ebowla Chili-Team Jayson” in memory of Jayson Gentry and representing Cabool State Bank, won the silver medal in team fundraising with a $2,959.60 donation from the team efforts. The Walmart Waverunners raised $2,399.90 to claim the third place spot for team fundraising.

“This event would not be possible without the incredible effort of the chili cook off teams,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, said.

Gentry noted that teams helped sell raffle tickets for a rifle, a quilt, and a 4-wheeler that were raffled at the end of the event.

Harold Sullins of Licking won the four-wheeler. Jen Ellis of Dixon won the rifle. Carol Honeywell of Licking won the handmade, queen-size quilt.

Harold Sullins of Licking purchased the winning ticket for the four-wheeler raffled at the cook off. He stands with his wife, Linda, by the ATV.

Harold Sullins of Licking purchased the winning ticket for the four-wheeler raffled at the cook off. He stands with his wife, Linda, by the ATV.

Three chili judges representing sponsors and supporters of the event were Earleen Holder from Progressive Ozark Bank in Houston; Conway Hawn from Anderson and Hawn Law Firm in Houston, and Bill Senter from Grace Manufacturing in Plato. Prizes were given to the chili teams who were competing in several different categories.

“Judges Choice” and first place went to “TCMH EMS Misfits” for their white, chicken chili. The judges awarded second place to the “Landmark Bank Lumberjacks” who had a white turkey and sausage chili. Third place went to Houston’s Mercy Clinic “Old Country Doc” team for a traditional red chili.

The A-Team Jailbirds served up the winning “Spiciest Chili” from behind bars and included chili dog or Frito pie options. The team also took home the “People’s Choice” award for the day.

The A-Team Jailbirds served up the winning “Spiciest Chili” from behind bars and included chili dog or Frito pie options. The team also took home the “People’s Choice” award for the day.

Several cook off teams entered a second type of chili in the “spiciest” category. One prize was awarded to the spiciest chili, and it went to “The A-Team” by Air Evac Lifeteam.

All teams had a team name and a theme. First place in the booth decorating category was won again by Community Bank N.A. with “Roaring Chili”, a speakeasy, 1920’s theme complete with flapper girls serving the chili.

Members of the “Roaring Chili” team from Community Bank NA won the award for best decorated booth.

Members of the “Roaring Chili” team from Community Bank NA won the award for best decorated booth.

The Houston FBLA constructed the front bow of a pirate ship and served up chili alongside a treasure chest of crackers, cheese and gold coins. The FBLA’s “One-Eyed Chili” won second place in the booth decorating contest.

The Houston Schools FBLA team served homemade chili from their handmade pirate ship. They won 2nd place for Best Decorated Booth at the cook off.

The Houston Schools FBLA team served homemade chili from their handmade pirate ship. They won 2nd place for Best Decorated Booth at the cook off.

The Air Evac “A-Team” deconstructed an outdoor dog kennel and used it to make a jail. Their inmates and jailer served up mild and spicy chili from behind the bars of the jail winning third place in the booth decorating contest.

Everyone in attendance was given a ballot for the “People’s Choice” in chili. The “A-Team” won first for people’s choice. “Team Spearpoint” won second place for their chili. Dr. Baldwin and the TCMH Medical Complex “Bootie Crew” came in third for people’s choice.

Maura Dill and Andy Durham enjoy chili from the “Ebowla Chili” team.

Maura Dill and Andy Durham enjoy chili from the “Ebowla Chili” team.

TCMH employees in attendance were given the opportunity to vote for the “TCMH Choice” among TCMH teams participating in the event. The TCMH EMS Misfits won the hospital employee award—their sixth time to claim the prize in nine years.

Dr. Christopher Baldwin from the TCMH Medical Complex delivered babies at the hospital the morning of the 7th and delivered red and white chili with his “Bootie Crew” at the cook off in the afternoon. They won 3rd place in the “People’s Choice” category.

Dr. Christopher Baldwin from the TCMH Medical Complex delivered babies at the hospital the morning of the 7th and delivered red and white chili with his “Bootie Crew” at the cook off in the afternoon. They won 3rd place in the “People’s Choice” category.

Silent auctions were followed by a live auction with auctioneer Darren Sheets. Before beginning the live auction at the cook off, Scheets talked about his experience with Hospice of Care.

Scheets explained that many of the area auctions he’s hired to do are preceded by the owner’s death, and many times the owner and the family members have received care through Hospice of Care.

“Hospice has provided care for a lot people in this area,” Sheets said. “They have been there for many.”

Dr. Jonathan Beers, medical director for TCMH Hospice of Care, also spoke to those in attendance prior to the auction.

“Our hospice team is here to provide care for parents, grandparents, sons, daughters. They are here for the whole family,” Beers said.

Beers explained that TCMH Hospice of Care offers services that rival hospice agencies in larger, metropolitan areas.

“I would put our hospice team against any of the other teams out there,” Beers said, thanking everyone for their donations to the local service which uses funds raised by the cook off every year to provide patient care for those without any means to pay for the service.

Sandy Eaton, licensed practical nurse with Hospice of Care and hospice volunteer coordinator, asked everyone to join her in a moment of silence for longtime hospice volunteer, Phyllis Arthur.

Master of ceremonies and KY3 meteorologist, Brandon Beck, gets some assistance in drawing one of the winning raffle tickets.

Master of ceremonies and KY3 meteorologist, Brandon Beck, gets some assistance in drawing one of the winning raffle tickets.

Brandon Beck, meteorologist at KY3 television station in Springfield and master of ceremonies at the event, interacted with those present, pausing for photos, chili tasting and weather-related jokes.

After Saturday’s event, the cook off raised $36,638 in cash donations and $11,662 in in-kind donations. All the proceeds raised by the Chili Cook Off support Hospice of Care and remain in Texas County to benefit area residents.

Donations came in the form of sponsorships by area businesses for chili teams, corporate and entertainment sponsorships, cash donations, and donations of items for the auctions. Chili teams also raised money prior to the event and at the event. A live auction, silent auctions, raffles and a cakewalk also provided entertainment during the day.

The Healthcare Foundation has a designated “Hospice Fund” where the cook off fund and other donations to Hospice of Care are held.

Plans are underway to hold the tenth annual chili cook off in the fall of 2016. More details about the event will be available from the Healthcare Foundation.

Tim Ceplina of Team Spearpoint serves up a cup of chili. The team’s red chili won 2nd place in the “People’s Choice” category.

Tim Ceplina of Team Spearpoint serves up a cup of chili. The team’s red chili won 2nd place in the “People’s Choice” category.

TCMH Healthcare Foundation Awards Scholarships to Area Students

Fall 2015 Scholarship Recipients (Madison Bates of Licking; Cheryl Branum of Houston; Cameron Kuhn of Licking; Miranda Prock of Mountain Grove, and Megan Silveus of Houston, Victoria Floyd of Houston, Kylie Howell of Licking)

Front row, left to right: Cameron Kuhn, Cheryl Branum, Madison Bates, Victoria Floyd, Kylie Howell, Megan Silveus, and Miranda Prock. Back row: Foundation board member Justin Shelby, CEO Wes Murray, and Jay Gentry

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation has awarded $6,500 in scholarships to area students to assist with their educational costs for the 2015 fall school semester.

Receiving $1,000 scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation were Madison Bates of Licking; Cheryl Branum of Houston; Cameron Kuhn of Licking; Miranda Prock of Mountain Grove, and Megan Silveus of Houston.

Bates is in the licensed practical nurse to registered nurse bridge program at Texas County Technical College in Houston.  She is also a nurse at the TCMH Medical Complex in Houston.

Branum is pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing through Missouri State University in West Plains.  Branum is also employed as an in-home aide with TCMH Home Health of the Ozarks.

Kuhn is a student in the practical nursing program at Texas County Technical College. She is also a clerk in the registration department at TCMH.

Prock is currently a senior at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, and she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders with plans or pursuing a Master’s degree in speech pathology.

Silveus is a 2015 graduate of Houston High School.  This fall she is attending Missouri State University in West Plains where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The endowed Dr. Joe L. and Judith T. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded one $1,000 scholarship to Victoria Floyd of Houston.

Floyd recently began pursuing the doctorate of pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Floyd has obtained an associate’s degree from Missouri State University West Plains and completed prerequisite courses for the pharmacy program at Missouri State University in Springfield.

Kylie Howell of Licking received the $500 Dr. Eugene Charles Honeywell Memorial Scholarship, chosen by the Healthcare Foundation directors and Carol Honeywell, the widow of Dr. Eugene Honeywell.

Howell graduated from Licking High School in May, and she is attending Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar this fall.  Howell plans to pursue training to become a physician.  She also received the $500 TCMH Youth Ambassador scholarship for volunteer efforts at TCMH over the past year.

“Educational scholarships are one of the focus areas of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, said.

The Healthcare Foundation holds an annual golf tournament to raise funds for educational scholarships for area students.  The Healthcare Foundation also hopes to receive $3,000 in matching funds from Healthcare Services Group Foundation (HSGCF).

The HSGCF program provides matching financial assistance to students awarded financial assistance by hospitals that are members of the Healthcare Services Association and insured by the Missouri Hospital Plan. Specifically, HSGCF matches scholarships or healthcare related tuition reimbursement provided by non-profit member hospitals throughout Missouri. This scholarship program is designed to facilitate, attract, and retain healthcare providers in Missouri.

“The matching funds from HSGCF enable us to boost the amount of our fall scholarship,” Gentry said.  “Every dollar helps these area students with their educational costs, and we’re grateful for the additional funds to award.”

The Healthcare Foundation awards educational scholarships for students pursuing additional higher education each spring and fall.  With the recent scholarship awards, the Foundation has awarded $65,000 in scholarships to area students since the program began in 2007.

“The Healthcare Foundation administers the scholarships for the endowed funds, and the scholarships also go to employees working in healthcare-related fields in Texas County and surrounding areas,” Gentry said.

According to Gentry, the Healthcare Foundation intends to award two more $1,000 scholarships prior to the spring school semester in 2016.  Applications for the scholarships are available through the Foundation or on the TCMH website.

“The Foundation board of directors recognizes the growing need for healthcare providers in rural America,” Gentry stated.  “It is the hope of the Foundation that these scholarships will assist in attracting and retaining qualified residents to work in the local healthcare fields.”

 

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

Four-Wheeler Donation to Benefit Hospice of Care

4 wheeler - Mega MotorsportsThe Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation has received a Polaris Sportsman ETX all-terrain vehicle to raffle for the Hospice of Care fund which benefits area Hospice of Care patients.

The ATV will be awarded to a winner on November 7th at 3 p.m. at the TCMH Healthcare Foundation’s annual Chili Cook Off which also benefits Hospice of Care.

“We always have a large item with raffle tickets for our chili cook off teams to use to raise funds for their team, and this year we partnered with Mega Motorsports in West Plains for the four-wheeler,” Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, said.

The ATV has a $6,000 value, and Mega Motorsports’ donation covered much of the four-wheeler’s cost.  Tickets are raffled for $10 each or $50 for six tickets.

The ATV features electronic fuel injection with a 30 horsepower engine.  The four-wheel drive engages automatically when the rear wheels slip. The machine has a steel rack on the rear and integrated front storage.

“We have not raffled an ATV for any of the previous Chili Cook Off events, so we thought it might be something of interest this year,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, said.

Gentry explained that the ATV is currently parked at TCMH if anyone wants to see it.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation and Hospice of Care have a fundraising goal of $45,000 for the 2015 Chili Cook Off, and proceeds from the raffle ticket sales will go toward overall fundraising for the event.

Funds from the Healthcare Foundation’s Hospice Fund and the annual Chili Cook Off are utilized to provide end of life care for patients and their families regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for the service.

“Our hospice funds are used locally to benefit the patients we serve within a 40-mile radius of TCMH,” Courtney Owens, TCMH Hospice of Care director, said.

In the past year, funds raised through the Chili Cook Off were used to pay for hospice services for two patients that did not have any insurance.  Funds were also used to purchase materials used for bereavement services through Hospice of Care.

“The funds raised for Hospice of Care by the Chili Cook Off help us meet needs of area patients and family members that we might not be able to help otherwise,” Owens said.

Raffle tickets for the ATV are available through the Hospice of Care office located in the TCMH Office Annex, the front registration desk at TCMH, the Auxiliary Gift Shop and any of the 15 teams that are participating in this year’s cook off.

Space is still available for additional cook off teams, according to Owens.

For additional information about raffle tickets or a 2015 Chili Cook Off, contact Hospice of Care at (417) 967-1279 or 1-866-967-3311 ext. 1279.

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

Annual Golf Tournament Raises $17,029 for Local Charity

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation raised $17,029 in cash and non-cash gifts at the Tenth Annual Charitable Golf Tournament at Oakwood Golf Course in Houston on Sat., June 13.

Thirty-eight teams participated in the 18-hole two-person scramble which was co-sponsored by The Missouri Foundation for Health, the corporate underwriter for the event.

The tournament had tee times at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. with prizes awarded to the top three teams in four categories—Championship Flight; A-Flight; B-Flight and C-Flight.  With a hole-in-one on hole five at the course, golfers had the opportunity to win $10,000 sponsored by Justin Shelby, Houston State Farm Insurance agent.

Winners of the Championship Flight were Darren Petrus and Scott Kelly who shot a 61, followed by Eric Judd and Derek Whisenant with a 62 for second place and Blake Crow and Dillon Crow with a score of 64 in third place.

A-Flight winners were Dusty Schober and Scott Manier in first place with a 69, (tiebreaker rules were enforced for teams shooting the same score) followed by Daniel Black and Joe Enloe in second with a 69, and third place winners, Ron Murray and Larry Barton with a 69.

Winners of the B-Flight were Scott Crump and Chuck Hicks with a 73.  Finishing second were Tom Krause and Jeff Renner also with a 73.  David Taylor and James Chrouser, with a 73, came in third.

C-Flight winners were Gary Taylor and Ethan Taylor with a 77.  Dan Sisco and Denna Tune shot a 79 for second place, and Johnnie Young and Whitney Young finished third with an 81.

First and second place winners in all flights received cash prizes and trophies.  Third place winners in all flights received a cash prize.

Daniel Black won the longest putt contest.

The longest drive winners were Whitney Young and Dustin Hawkins.

A “Vegas Par 3” closest to the pin contest was hosted and sponsored by Q-94 Jack FM Radio Station.  Dustin Hawkins and Gary York won the contest.

“The Big Advantage” on the fourth hole allowed golfers to move up to within 150 yards of the putting green and was sponsored by Wehr Motors.  The game could reduce golf scores and included a closest to the pin contest.  Daniel Miller and Roger Tune were the winners of “The Big Advantage”.

Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, indicated that the funds generated by the golf tournament will be used to fund scholarships for healthcare related educational fields and to provide resources for capital projects.

“We filled almost filled all of the available team slots, and we received numerous sponsorships from individuals and businesses,” Gentry said.

Gentry noted that an additional corporate sponsorships and support from many other businesses aided the Foundation in putting on a tournament with many amenities for the participants.  Gentry also thanked the numerous volunteers and the staff at Oakwood for their time and efforts on behalf of the Foundation’s tournament.

“Some of our winners also donated their winnings back to the Foundation, which we greatly appreciate,” Gentry said.  “The Foundation is a local charity and all of the money we receive for the Foundation will remain in the county.”

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation is the non-profit organization with a mission to ensure the quality of healthcare services for children, women, and men at Texas County Memorial Hospital.   Funding for the Foundation comes from grateful patients and their families, community members and groups, and businesses that value healthcare in our area.  A board of community leaders from across the county directs the TCMH Healthcare Foundation and the funds held by the Foundation.

“Once again, this tournament has been very successful for the Healthcare Foundation,” Gentry said.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation plans to hold the golf tournament fundraiser again in 2016.

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

TCMH Healthcare Foundation to Award $6,500 in Scholarships

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation has opened the application window for $6,500 in educational scholarships for the fall 2015 academic year.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation Educational Scholarship Program is designed to assist students that are pursuing or planning to pursue education in a healthcare related field or students currently working in healthcare that are pursuing additional education for their current career.

The Healthcare Foundation is in its ninth year of awarding scholarships in the fall and the spring.  Students from towns across the county have received the scholarships.

In addition to two scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation, the Healthcare Foundation will also award the “Dr. Joe L. and Judith T. Spears Memorial Scholarship” and the “Dr. Eugene Charles Honeywell Memorial Scholarship”.  Both are endowed funds that are awarded to a deserving student annually.

Healthcare Services Group Charitable Foundation, the purchasing group that TCMH belongs to, provides matching funds for scholarships given by the TCMH Healthcare Foundation.  Those funds are available annually to the Healthcare Foundation and enable the Healthcare Foundation to give out an additional $3,000 in scholarships to area students.

“Educational scholarships are a major focus area of the Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, stated.  “The board of directors of the Foundation recognizes the need to assist areas students in their educational endeavors with hopes that the student will return to or stay in the Texas County area to provide healthcare services to area residents after receiving additional education.”

The Healthcare Foundation has awarded over $58,000 in scholarship funds since the scholarship program began.

Endowed scholarships provide some of the educational funds, and the Healthcare Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the scholarship program.  The annual golf tournament is scheduled for June 13, 2015.

Eligible students for the scholarships must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited university, college or post-secondary training program.  Residents of the TCMH service area—all of Texas County and Mountain Grove—and students that are graduates of Texas County and Mountain Grove schools are eligible to apply.  Applicants already pursuing a career in a healthcare organization, or applicants planning to pursue a career in a health field with direct patient care are eligible to apply for the scholarships.

The scholarship application asks for information about the student and requires a short essay about the student’s career and educational goals.  Applicants are also asked to list community involvement activities on their application, and they may be asked to meet with Foundation board members for a short personal interview.

The deadline for the fall scholarship applications is July 1, 2015.  Awards for the scholarship will be announced by September 1, 2015.

For more information about the scholarship program or to receive an application, contact Gentry by phone at (417) 967-1377 or 1-866-967-3311, ext. 4202 or by e-mail at jgentry@tcmh.org.  The scholarship application and complete details are also available at www.tcmhfoundation.org.

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

TCMH Healthcare Foundation Plans Annual Golf Tournament

Plans are underway for the tenth annual Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation Charitable Golf Tournament at Oakwood Golf Course in Houston on Saturday, June 13th.

The tournament is a two-person scramble, and a team can play for $120, which includes a cart, green fees, mulligans and lunch.  Tee times are at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the tournament is limited to 40 teams.

Prizes will be awarded in four flights with three places in each flight.  The number of entrants in the tournament will determine prizes and flights.

There will be many prizes awarded including a hole in one prize and prizes for the longest drive and closest to the pin.  Entrants will also be eligible for door prizes.

The TCMH Healthcare Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to ensure the quality of healthcare services for children, women and men at TCMH.  The Missouri Foundation for Health has partnered with the Healthcare Foundation as the corporate underwriter for the event.

“The TCMH Healthcare Foundation golf tournament assists us in developing the funds needed for our scholarship program, and it helps provide resources for capital projects,” Jay Gentry, TCMH Healthcare Foundation director, stated.

The Foundation awards four $1,000 scholarships during the school year—two in the spring and two in the fall—since 2006.   The scholarships are given to students in the TCMH service area that are pursuing additional education in a healthcare field.

The Healthcare Foundation has awarded over $58,000 in scholarship funds since the scholarship program began.

The Foundation is already accepting applications for two $1,000 scholarships and other Foundation administered scholarships that will be awarded for the fall academic semester.

For more information, or to reserve a place in the tournament, contact Gentry at (417) 967-1377.

For additional information, contact:

Joleen Senter Durham, Director of Public Relations/Marketing

Texas County Memorial Hospital

Phone:  417/967-1258

Fax:  417/967-1291

joleen@tcmh.org

TCMH Healthcare Foundation Awards Spring Scholarships

Spring 2015 Scholarship Recipients (pictured left to right;  Jim Bukowsky, Foundation Board Member; Donna Jones, Foundation Board Member; Kerry York; Nancy Hovelson; Jay Genry, Foundation Director; Reese Bucher, Foundation Board Member)

Spring 2015 Scholarship Recipients (pictured left to right; Jim Bukowsky, Foundation Board Member; Donna Jones, Foundation Board Member; Kerry York; Nancy Hovelson; Jay Genry, Foundation Director; Reese Bucher, Foundation Board Member)

The Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation has awarded two $1,000 scholarships to area students to assist with their educational costs for the 2015 spring school semester.

Receiving $1,000 scholarships from the TCMH Healthcare Foundation were Nancy Hovelson of Rolla and Kerry York of Houston.   The recipients were chosen among several applicants by members of the Healthcare Foundation board of directors.

Hovelson is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in radiologic technology through Rolla Technical Institute and East Central College in Rolla. Hovelson is a student technologist in the TCMH radiology department.

York is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing through Cox College in Springfield, MO. She is a registered nurse in the TCMH emergency department.

York has been a recipient of a TCMH Healthcare Foundation scholarship in the past. This is Hovelson’s first time to receive a scholarship from the Healthcare Foundation.

“Educational scholarships are a focus area of the TCMH Healthcare Foundation,” Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, said. He added, “Our board of directors believes in the importance of education for area students that are pursuing training in healthcare-related fields.”

The Healthcare Foundation awards educational scholarships for students pursuing additional higher education each spring and fall. This fall, the Healthcare Foundation will award endowed scholarship funds in addition to the Healthcare Foundation scholarships.

“The Foundation board of directors recognizes the growing need for healthcare providers in rural America,” Gentry stated. “It is the hope of the Foundation that these scholarships will assist in attracting and retaining qualified residents to work in the local healthcare fields.”

Complete scholarship information and the scholarship application is available online at www.tcmhfoundation.org.

MFA Oil Awards Grant to TCMH Healthcare Foundation

mfa oil foundation donation

Joe Case, district sales manager for MFA Oil, presented a $20,000 grant to the TCMH Healthcare Foundation Care for Your Future campaign. Shown here with the check are Wes Murray, TCMH chief executive officer; Case, and Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director.

The MFA Oil Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation’s Care for Your Future Capital Campaign.

Joe Case, district sales manager for MFA Oil, presented the check to the Healthcare Foundation and expressed appreciation on behalf of MFA Oil for the investments made by TCMH in healthcare infrastructure in the county.

“We are glad to see the progress at TCMH with the new construction,” Case said.

The MFA Oil Foundation seeks to provide support to nonprofit organizations to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees.  Since its inception, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than one million dollars in grants.

“Rural communities are the foundation of our business,” Mark Fenner, president and chief executive officer of MFA Oil, said.  “Our Foundation awards help support organizations that are solving community problems and improving the quality of life.”

The MFA Oil Foundation was able to take advantage of tax credits available from the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) to benefit the Care for Your Future campaign.

The Healthcare Foundation has been working to raise an additional $500,000 for the new FEMA tornado safe room and community meeting room with the assistance of the fifty-percent state tax credits awarded by the MDFB.

The Healthcare Foundation has until December 2015 to allocate all of the tax credits.   Donors may use the tax credits in combination with the standard federal and state charitable gift deductions to further reduce their potential tax liability.  The tax credit opportunity allows a donor to invest their tax dollars in a local community project.

“The tax credit program is another way for the Healthcare Foundation to provide a tax deduction for area businesses and individuals while adding to the healthcare infrastructure in our county,” Gentry explained.  “We are happy that the MFA Oil Foundation was able to benefit from this program.”

The tax credits give donors the opportunity to receive the traditional federal income tax benefit as well as a Missouri tax credit.

Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH, thanked MFA Oil on behalf of everyone at TCMH.  “This is a great gesture on behalf of MFA Oil,” Murray said.

Murray noted that many hospital employees utilize MFA Oil in the communities throughout Texas County and the surrounding area.  Additionally, MFA Oil has provided propane to TCMH by proving the lowest bid for propane in the past.

“We are excited and proud to have MFA Oil participating in our vision for the future of healthcare in Texas County,” Murray said.

MFA Oil Company was founded in 1929 as a farmer-owned cooperative with more than 40,000 members.  MFA Oil is one of the top ten propane companies in the United States.  A subsidiary of MFA Oil also operates Break Time convenience stores and Jiffy Lube and Big O franchises in Missouri and Arkansas.

For additional information about the TCMH Healthcare Foundation and the Care for Your Future campaign or tax credits, contact Jay Gentry, Healthcare Foundation director, at (417) 967-1377 or jgentry@tcmh.org.