Mercy Health Healing Garden and Spoelman Conference Center? Never heard of those? Well, that's perfectly ok because they are in the process of ramping up again after a year or so of everything going haywire worldwide and the immediate need of a pandemic taking prescient over pretty much everything. Just as the campaign was ramping up through Mercy Health Office of Philanthropy for the Healing Garden at the beautiful new campus in Muskegon and the plans were being finalized for the Roger W. Spoelman Conference and Learning Center, all of the philanthropic efforts had to shift and the attention had to move to the front line folks who got us through the darkest of days. So, now that things are situating a little more, it's time to let you know what's to come and who's working on it!
Let's rewind a little. The Mercy Health Healing Garden. It's a place that's been designed to give a moment or two of respite for those who are in the business of healing. Either end of the realm of healing. If you are being cared for at Mercy Health, wouldn't it be nice place to go outside and get some fresh air, away from the hustle and bustle inside? How about if you're there to visit? Think about some of the things you might be experiencing as a visitor. It could be the beginning or ending of the circle of life and both are equally overwhelming and to have a place to absorb that...that's a good thing. As for a provider, we've all seen the human side of caregivers this past year or so. A respite area might just be the place to give them to let it all out, or quietly offer a prayer for strength and fortitude. It's going to be in a perfect location on the campus. You'll hear more with Emma Torresen in our chat.
As for the Roger W. Spoelman Conference and Learning Center....the name might ring a bell, and rightly so. Roger is the retired CEO of Mercy Health Muskegon and his passion for learning was his benchmark. Deep learning. This area is there now, but it's quietly hidden behind some walls that will give way to the area. It will be a space devoted to discussion, education, togetherness, knowledge and thought. It's an incredible honorarium for someone who dedicated his life to the betterment of all of us in Muskegon through health care.
The fundraising is underway! Emma Torresen is the Director of Philanthropy at Mercy Health in Muskegon and she's joining today to talk about how all this works. She's also sharing how a very healthy match program is working with some incredibly generous donors in town and how YOU can do a part, be it large or small to help. Take a listen.
We have seen so many amazing things come out of Mercy Health over the last months. We have watched in awe as the community got behind the work of the doctors and nurses. We have lined up to be checked and rechecked for a virus we can't even see. We've seen miraculous victories and we've seen the pain of loss and the unbelievable aftermath it's had on all of our community. The work continues. The healing continues. The future of medicine in Muskegon was never in doubt even as one chapter closed in the middle of a pandemic and a new one opened. We are so thankful for the men and women of Mercy Health and all they do for us. Please learn more about how you can have an active role in the next generation of health care in Muskegon. As Emma mentioned. You can e-mail here directly by
