The Foundation for Ripon Medical Center has received one of its largest gifts from a single donor as Judy DeWar, of Ripon, presents an estate gift of more than $246,000 on behalf of her cousin – Ruth Birge – to Katherine Vergos, Ripon Medical Center chief operating officer, and Dr. Jean Johnson, Foundation of Ripon Medical Center Board of Directors president. The estate gift was designated for The Foundation for Ripon Medical Center by Ruth Birge who passed away at the age of 94 in January 2015. Birge was a long-time Ripon resident who utilized healthcare services at Ripon Medical Center. In addition, Ripon College is receiving a similar estate gift from Ruth. Her husband, Robert, attended Ripon College and then went into the Army dying in World War II. Ruth graduated from Ripon College and supports a scholarship in both of their names for future students. “We are extremely grateful that Ruth thought of Ripon Medical Center as she was reviewing giving options,” according to Vergos. “We are blessed to live in a community that so strongly believes in its local hospital, and understands that by providing their financial support, we can work together to grow our services and meet the health and wellness needs of those individuals and families we serve now, and well into the future.” The estate gift has been directed to the Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund, which the Foundation can use to help enhance the hospital’s diversified array of offerings, often eliminating the need to travel outside the community for care and support. The Foundation will consider utilization of the gift at an upcoming board meeting. “The Foundation is very appreciative for the opportunities this generous gift can open up for Ripon Medical Center,” says Dr. Johnson, Foundation Board of Directors president. “It will be an honor for the board to evaluate how we can best utilize this gift to enhance the well-being of the communities that Ripon Medical Center serves.”
