News : VGH Recognizes Honorees with 2023 Annual Legacy Awards

Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation celebrated those in our community who have made significant impacts in philanthropy, service, and support of VGH at the 3rd Annual Legacy Honors Awards ceremony. Honorees at the event were Rita Taylor-Stewart, Cynthia Reinberg, Janice Bray, Julia Meadows, William C. Talen, Sr., Darlys Hulme, Ann Harrison, James Hodgson, and Ted Mann.

Virginia Gay Hospital appreciates the commitment, volunteerism, and the philanthropy that our community provides, allowing us to advance the quality of healthcare services that make sense for those we serve.

Rita Taylor-Stewart, PA-C graduated from Central College in Pella in 1989 and the University of Iowa PA program in 1991. She was introduced to VGH and Van Horne Family Medical Clinic (VHFMC) in 1990 when she was a Physician Assistant student with Dr. Anthony as her preceptor. After a year of working in an inner-city Pediatric Clinic in Michigan, Rita returned to VHFMC in 1992 to work with Dr. Anthony. She officially joined the staff of VGH as a medical provider in 1997 and continues to provide exceptional services to her community. She is a dedicated community advocate and cares deeply for the health and well-being of those she serves. She has a remarkable work ethic, engages, and participates fully in her community.

Health care depends on its dedicated and talented medical staff for patient well-being. Cynthia Reinberg served VGH's Van Horne Medical Clinic as a nurse for 26 years. Cynthia put her heart into her work, always having the best interest of the patient in mind. Patients had confidence in her work, knowing that she would be knowledgeable, listen to and understand their needs, with a friendly, positive, and compassionate mindset. Cynthia had exceptional skills at dealing with all patients, staying calm, levelheaded, and consistent, which built patient trust. Cynthia motivated others, known as a team player who was reliable and dependable. She just made things better!

Janice Bray is a woman of integrity, perseverance, and grit, giving of herself fully for the care of residents and support of staff. Her consistency of care was without fail. Janice's career started at VGH as a Nursing Aide and as regulations changed, grandfathered in as a Certified Nursing Assistant, employed at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab for 35 years. Currently now retired, Janice still dedicates time back to the residents of Virginia Gay Nursing & Rehab volunteering.

Julia Meadows invested her time, talents, and professionalism for Virginia Gay Hospital through her guidance of staff and care of community. Julia began her career at Virginia Gay Hospital in 1983 in the Business Office. During her leadership, Julia was a consummate advocate of the people in our community, and a great proponent for quality services that make sense for our community. She helped forge the purchase of four family medical clinics, (Vinton, Van Horne, Urbana, and Atkins), and 3 extensive renovation and expansion projects. Julia was truly dedicated, always setting high standards to go above and beyond for the betterment of our community and access to quality health care close to home.

William C. Talen, Sr. owner and chair of Farmers Savings Bank & Trust passed away on February 28, 2023. We honor his legacy to support the community and long-standing relationship with Virginia Gay Hospital. We have been blessed to work with a local and trusted financial institute. In 1988 William Talen purchased the Brenton Bank in Vinton, which later became Farmers Savings Bank & Trust.

William and Farmers Savings Bank & Trust supported every Virginia Gay Hospital construction, renovation, and remodel project campaign and provided generous support for every annual Tree of Lights campaign. You can see the impact of William C. Talen and Farmers Savings Bank & Trust not just with VGH, but throughout our community, through charitable financial support and generous sponsorships of events.

Darlys Hulme, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust director, chair, secretary of the board and president of the bank. We honor her legacy to support the community and long-standing relationship with Virginia Gay Hospital and as a trusted financial institute. Darlys has been employed with Farmers Savings Bank & Trust for 63 years. Darlys and Farmers Savings Bank & Trust philanthropic efforts have had significant impact in providing sustainable, quality, and accessible health care in our community close to home.

When William C. Talen purchased Brenton Bank in Vinton, Darlys started the Vinton Community Foundation and the Heritage Club. The Vinton Community Foundation has supported projects such as Reach Out and Read supporting literacy in our community, Gifts of Hope supporting breast cancer awareness, mammograms and annual wellness visits and access to funds to pay for medical expenses for those who have a breast cancer diagnosis. Farmers Savings Bank staff recently donated to Gifts of Hope with wear pink Fridays.

Darlys supports our annual Tree Walk, being the sole sponsor each year for the event. Through Darlys' guidance, leadership and commitment to community, Farmer's Savings Bank & Trust participates in our annual Benton County Community Health and Wellness Fair, providing information and resources for financial literacy.

Ann Harrison served as Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation Board of Director for 22 years. VGH Foundation was still in its infancy when Ann was on-boarded as a director. She was instrumental in understanding the importance of support for access to health care in our community and close to home. During her tenure, $1.4 million dollars was raised through the Tree of Lights Campaign. The "Commitment to Caring" campaign in 2006 and "Quality Care Close to Home" campaign raised a total of $3.4million supporting the renovation and remodel of the hospital and expansion of the Vinton Family Medical Clinic. Ann is one who makes our hospital and community better, inspires us to grow and be a community participant.

Jim Hodgson served as a board of director on the Virginia Gay Hospital Board and the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation Board for 15 years. He provided the link between hospital board and foundation board. During Jim's tenure projects completed were the expansion of VFMC, renovation

which added 20,000 square feet to the hospital, the Atkins Family medical clinic opened, Van Horne Family Medical Clinic remodel and expansion, and the construction and remodel of Vinton Family Medical Clinic. Jim was a trusted advisor bringing innovation and progress for VGH.

Ted Mann served on the Virginia Gay Hospital Health Care Foundation Board for 12 years. Ted was a trusted advisor, and active leader in raising funds to support access to health care in our community.

During Ted's tenure, $1.4 million dollars was raised through the Tree of Lights Campaign. Ted's philanthropy and commitment to continuing the legacy of Virginia Walcutt Gay by understanding that the contributions of others have sustained Virginia Gay Hospital as a thriving rural independent health care facility.

Virginia Gay is blessed and thankful. It is our community that helps us to thrive and strive to provide quality healthcare services. It is our honor to celebrate those who make a difference and provide an impact.