Recent News

West Holt High School Students Review Don't Tell Mother!

Don't Tell Mother! Photo Album

Chocolate Indulgence Tour

Comedy Dinner Theater and Meet the Cast Members

Comedy Theater Poster and Dinner Menu

Dolores Batenhorst Keating Scholarship Winners Announced

$200 Scholarship Winners Announced

Foundation gives to WHMS

Commemorative Naming Opportunities Tribute Program

Virtual Dusty Shoe Tour of Renovations

Dolores Batenhorst Keating Scholarship

3rd Annual Lights of Love

History

Future Plans for WHMS

How WHMS Benefits the Community

$200 Scholarships

Meet the Foundation's Mascot Penny

Meet the new Foundation's Executive Director

Dusty Shoe Tour virtual tour

Visit our Facebook page for more photos of the renovations

With the completion of the renovations at the hospital, the Foundation is promoting the Commemorative Naming Opportunities Tribute Program at the hospital and new therapy services building.  By participating in this program, you are creating a lasting legacy for you and your family while providing quality of care in North Central Nebraska for generations to come.

Click here for the Commemorative Naming Opportunities Tribute Program brochure.

The Commemorative Naming Opportunities Tribute Program for the new Therapy Services building will be announced in the near future.

Please call the Foundation office if you need more information or would like to participate at 402-925-2811, ext. 3701.

Why We Are Offering The Dolores Batenhorst Keating Scholarship

West Holt Medical Services Foundation began managing a memorial fund in 2010 established in the memory of Dolores Batenhorst Keating, one of Atkinson’s most caring residents. Dolores was born in Stuart, graduated from Stuart High School and lived her entire adult life in Atkinson.

She worked for over 25 years as a Registered Nurse at West Holt Memorial Hospital.  Dolores was married to John Keating for 56 years. They had eight children, Mary Rose Schaaf, Maureen Tsuchiya, Phillip Keating, Mark Keating, Patrick Keating, James Keating, Matthew Keating and Gerard Keating.

Dolores Keating was a strong supporter of local, high-quality medical care, and her family is honoring her memory by encouraging local students to help fulfill her dream by pursuing a medical degree.

The memorial fund, with generous contributions from both the family and Dolores’s many friends, currently totals over $10,000 and is managed by the West Holt Medical Services Foundation.  Each year one hundred percent of the annual interest earned from the fund will be utilized to provide three scholarships of $1,000 each to residents of any age from the Atkinson, Stuart or O’Neill area pursuing a degree in the medical field, for an initial total of $3,000 per year.

The Keating family will subsidize the scholarship until the memorial fund is self supporting and the family has set a goal to grow the memorial fund to $100,000 with the support of the community that knew and loved Dolores for many years.  They are challenging those with a dream for local healthcare to contribute to this fund and help Holt County retain its current healthcare services, grow new services, and keep local medical talent here at home.

Please feel free to call the Foundation Director at 402-925-2811, ext. 3701 for more information.

Application Deadline:  Postmarked on or before December 15, 2012.  The Scholarship Application Packet will be available for download in November 2012.

3rd Annual Lights of Love (2012)

For the past two years West Holt Medical Services Foundation had a special event each December.  We sold individual Lights of Love which were placed on a strand of Christmas Lights which were lit each holiday season on the hospital and clinic building.  These Lights of Love honored or remembered a loved one, friend, co-worker, teacher or anyone who had brightened a donor's life. 

Starting January 1, 2012, the Foundation is expanding the Lights of Love program.  Throughout the history of the Foundation, friends and family members have made donations to the Foundation in honor or in remembrance of a special person in their life.  The Foundation has always sent a card to the family of the special person being recognized by the donation.  We will continue to do this, but the individual being recognized will also be part of the Lights of Love celebration in December of the year a donation was made in their name.

West Holt Medical Services Foundation invites you to join us all year long to honor or remember a loved one, friend, co-worker, teacher or anyone who has brightened your life by purchasing the gift of light on the “Lights of Love” strand of holiday lights which is located each year on the building of the West Holt Medical Services hospital and clinic and is lit each December 1st.  It is the Foundation’s hope that the community will purchase enough Lights of Love that the entire roof will be illuminated.  In addition EACH DECEMBER, a special paper Light of Love will be placed in the glass walkway between the hospital and clinic to commemorate your loved one and an ad will be placed in the local newspaper indicating those that were remembered or honored in January.

Click here to print a Donation Form.

This is an opportunity for individuals and families to give back to your local healthcare system while honoring or memorializing a friend or family member who has brightened their life.

• The 2nd Annual Lights of Love had 370 lights.

• The 1st Annual Lights of Love had 230 lights.

Media Release 2/3/12

Meet Sarah Schmidt and Magda Berelzheimer, cast members of Don’t Tell Mother

ATKINSON —  Meet Sarah Schmidt, timid librarian Cinnamon’s mother.  Sarah is played by Janet Kliment.  Kliment and her husband Dennis farm north of Atkinson and they have eight grandchildren.  She manages the Garden Greenhouse in Atkinson during the spring for Ellwanger's Floral of Butte.  It has been about 25 years since Kliment was in Summer Theater with Lorraine Lieswald as the director.  Kliment says it is a little harder now to remember her lines but she is having fun with all the cast and everyone involved.  When asked why she wanted to be involved in the Foundation’s fundraiser, Kliment said “I am involved because I like to give back to the community.  It is important to me to keep our town active and progressive because I have four grandkids living here that will benefit from that.  I have lived around Atkinson all my life and it has been good to me so I can be "good" to it in whatever way I can.”

Jaci Harmon plays the part of Magda Berelzheimer.  Magda is Hobart’s mother.  Harmon participated in One Acts, class plays, and was part of the speech team at Rock County High School in Bassett.   She believes this involvement had a great deal to do with her choice of being a teacher for 35 years.  She and her husband, Jim have lived in the community for 38 years while raising their two children Jill and Jesse.  Harmon states, “The Atkinson community has been a great supporter of the arts and getting people involved from a young age is so important.  Lorraine Lieswald deserves a lot of credit for starting the children’s theater and getting our youth involved as well as directing many adult theater productions.  Our community has also been blessed with people like Janessa Schaaf and Lisa Wells who have stepped into the role as directors to keep this tradition alive.  The main reason I chose to participate in the last two West Holt Medical Services Foundation’s productions is that it is a way I can volunteer to help out a very worthy cause.  A small town that has a school and a hospital is such a draw for young families.  To keep Atkinson alive and well we need to attract these people to our community.   Another reason I enjoy theater is the camaraderie that it offers.  Besides the actors and actresses, you get to enjoy the unique qualities of the directors, the light crew, the stage manager, and don’t forget the prompter, who at my age is very important.”

Enjoy the fast pace hilarious dialogue in this entertaining and memorable comedy at the 2^nd Annual Comedy Theater hosted by the West Holt Medical Services Foundation.

Media Release 2/2/2012

Meet Rikki Tickey, cast member of Don’t Tell Mother

ATKINSON —  A squealer in more ways than one, Rikki Tickey played by Macy Ennen is sure to be a crowd pleaser in the 2^nd Annual Comedy Dinner Theater “Don’t Tell Mother!”. 

Ennen grew up in Atkinson and starting at a young age has been in many theater productions through high school where she received an outstanding actress award during her freshman year in One Acts. Lorraine Lieswald, director of “Don’t Tell Mother!” was the director of Ennen’s first play at age seven and she feels Lorraine is just a hoot to work with. Since our community has a history of supporting the arts in such a great way Ennen was lucky to have been a part of the Atkinson Children’s Theater and the Missoula Children’s Theater growing up.  After graduating from the College of Hair Design, Ennen moved back to town around five years ago and began working at Uptown Hair Design.  She has two children, Luke and Allie.  Ennen says “Raising children is a big part of why I love being a part of a community such as ours. It’s safe and quiet and full of so many caring people! I am thrilled that the arts are coming back to our community. It’s great to be in the "spot light" again and I am so glad to be a part of something that will go to benefit our hospital! Our community is very lucky to have such a nice facility which not only provides excellent care, but so many jobs for the hard working members of its staff!”  Enjoy the fast pace hilarious dialogue in this entertaining and memorable comedy at the 2^nd Annual Comedy Theater hosted by the West Holt Medical Services Foundation.

Media Release 1/27/2012

Meet Joe Shimko, Hobart Berelzheimer and Orville Maddox cast members of Don’t Tell Mother

ATKINSON —  Opening night is February 10 for the play “Don’t Tell Mother!” and the cast members are in daily rehearsals. 

Joe Shimko is a confused private investigator but he is glad he came to Chicago because he really enjoys Deedee Malone’s attention.  Fiance to timid librarian Cinnamon, Hobart Berelzheimer is 150% nerd and very much under the thumb of his mother, Magda.  Desperate Orville Maddox can’t pay his bills and his love life is non-existent.   

Joining the cast is Joe Shimko played by Alan Poessnecker for the fasted paced farce Don’t Tell Mother. Poessnecker was on stage often in high school and was a cast member of many Atkinson Community Theater productions.  He is married to Linda and has two children, Mechelle, who takes the stage at Wayne State College and Logan, who is a first grader.  He works hard outside of play practice with multiple jobs: Great Western Gas, Braun’s Locker, short haul truck driver and ranches with his dad. 

Hobart Berelzheimer is played by Mike Fredrick.  He was born and raised near Los Angeles and like many, was a big fan of cinema and theater. Frederick has been fortunate enough to have been in both school and community plays since the age of 12 and has been cast as a variety of characters from villains, accidental scientist, and clueless neighbors to his true calling: A SHOE SALESMAN!  Since living in Atkinson, he has been involved in several short filmed sketches shown at Faith Wesleyan Church. Many people may know him by his longest role of 20 years, that of the local State Farm Insurance Agent.  Fredrick said “I can honestly say that working under the direction of Lorraine Lieswald is an absolute treat! It is her vision and complete dedication that makes these plays so fun to be in and watch.  Having the opportunity to both be in this play and benefit the West Holt Medical Services Foundation is a win-win!” 

Ben Schumacher plays Orville Maddox.  He has been in several one act plays, along with a few musicals throughout high school in Sidney, Nebraska. He has been a stage hand for several plays including lighting, audio and special effects.  Schumacher went to college at Northeast Community College, where he met his wife Jessica. Three years ago the couple moved to Atkinson, which is Jessica's hometown. Schumacher Electric has kept Schumacher busy for the last two years.  He contributes the success of his business to the people of Atkinson. Aside from his volunteer role as Orville, he is a firefighter for the Atkinson Fire Department.  Schumacher said “I joined the play because I don't think Lorraine likes the word "No". In all seriousness though, we need to support our local hospital. Being a firefighter and helping with the ambulance I can't stress enough how nice it is to have the facility and staff that we have here, especially in emergencies.”

You won’t want to miss this madcap chaos that creates an unforgettable evening for everyone at the 2^nd Annual Comedy Theater presented by the West Holt Medical Services Foundation directed by Lorraine Lieswald with co-director Dennis Ryan.  To see Poessnecker, Fredrick and Schumacher break a leg you can choose to attend three different performances.

Media Release 1/16/2012

Meet Cinnamon Schmidt, cast member of Don’t Tell Mother

ATKINSON —  On the evening that timid librarian Cinnamon Schmidt and her mother are to entertain her fiancé Hobart and his mother at a serene family dinner, Cinnamon comes home in shock because she has witnessed a bank robbery. She is the only one who can identify the crook. Watch Cinnamon think quickly as mistaken identities and an attacking vacuum cleaner threatens to ruin the evening.  Cinnamon is played by Kim Bouska Tielke. Kim was one of the original cast members of the Atkinson Community Theater with Bob Shankland as director while attending West Holt High School.  She kept her theater jeans on (even though they are tighter now) through college and over the past 20 years working behind the scenes with directing and judging high school One Acts and Speech contests.  "It feels good to get back up on stage, especially with this talented and hilarious cast - and to work once again with our director, Lorraine Lieswald, who is such a riot - you never know what she will say to crack us all up!"  Kim moved back to her hometown Atkinson after being away for 25 years and is now working at Stuart Fertilizer. Kim has two daughters, Heather and Hannah. 
 
When asked why she chose to be involved in the largest fundraiser for the West Holt Medical Services Foundation she said, " This medical facility has been there for my family and I - (as I was born here and so was my daughter Heather - Thanks to Dr. Serbousek and Dr. Randall) and this type of contribution is my way of saying thank you to the West Holt Medical Services."

Enjoy the fast pace hilarious dialogue in this entertaining and memorable comedy at the 2^nd Annual Comedy Theater hosted by the West Holt Medical Services Foundation.

Media Release 1/11/2012

Meet DeeDee Malone, cast member of Don’t Tell Mother

ATKINSON —  Deedee Malone is still hopeful and willing to give everything she’s got to get a man and will settle for anyone. On the day her best friend and neighbor, Cinnamon Schmidt, witnesses a bank robbery, Cinnamon and Deedee are forced to think quickly as mistaken identities, oysters on the ceiling and an attacking vacuum cleaner threatens to ruin the evening.

You can see this madcap chaos that creates an unforgettable evening for everyone at the 2^nd Annual Comedy Theater presented by the West Holt Medical Services Foundation (WHMS).

Deedee Malone is played by Mikaela Abner and joins a cast of eight in the fasted paced farse Don’t Tell Mother. Abner starred in "See How they Run" as Penelope Toop in the first annual WHMS Foundation comedy theater last year. In high school Abner performed in various theater productions and one acts. She is married to Bryan Abner and has two children, Sierra & Garrison Hansen, along with two stepchildren Zane & Addie Abner.  Abner has recently opened a new bookkeeping service for various businesses in our community.  When asked why she chose to be involved in the largest fundraiser for the West Holt Medical Services Foundation she said, “I wanted to support my local hospital and give back to our community in a positive way.”

To see DeeDee Malone in action, you can choose to attend three different performances.

Dinner Comedy Theater

Saturday, February 11

Dinner starts at 6:00 pm; performance follows

Ticket Cost: $35 includes dinner, dessert & performance

Comedy Theater

Friday, February 10 Performance starts at 7:00 PM or

Sunday, February 12 Performance starts at 2:00 PM

Ticket cost includes performance & chocolate indulgence dessert

Ticket Cost: Free Will Offering

 Advanced Ticket Sales Only are available at these banks:  Great Western & Tri-County in Atkinson; Bank First in O’Neill; Tri-County in Stuart; Chambers State Bank; Spencer State Bank; Butte State Bank; First National in Ainsworth; Farmers State Bank in Ewing and Pinnacle Bank in Verdigre

You may also call the Foundation office to order your tickets at 402-925-2811 ext. 3701 or foundation@westholtmed.org

Make this your Valentine gift to your sweet♥

Media Release 1/4/2012

Comedy theater is coming to town in February

ATKINSON —  West Holt Medical Services Foundation Director, Monique Johnson says, “Save the date, a comedy theater is coming to town!”  The play “Don’t Tell Mother!” directed by our very own Lorraine Lieswald, former traveling clown, and Co-Director Dennis Ryan.

Joining Lieswald and Ryan for the barrel of laughs are cast members:  Mikaela Abner, Macie Ennen, Mike Fredrick, Jaci Harmon, Janet Kliment, Alan Poessnecker, Ben Schumacker, Kim Tielke and his first time on stage in Atkinson monster vacuum cleaner.

“Don’t Tell Mother!” had its world premiere at the Horizon Theatre in Burbank, California, on May 29, 1984, under the auspices of Character Actors Repertory Theatre Productions.

On the evening that timid librarian Cinnamon Schmidt and her mother are to entertain her fiancé Hobart and his mother at a serene family dinner, Cinnamon comes home in shock because she has witnessed a bank robbery and is the only one who can identify the crook. She confides her terror to chum Deedee Malone, not daring to tell her mother, and then federal agent, Joe Shimko, arrives having gotten a tip that the robber, Orville Maddox, is en route to bump off the witness. Joe thinks Deedee is Cinnamon and vice versa, Orville is mistaken for the caterer and for Hobart, mother is confused with the cleaning lady, and poor Cinnamon is thought to be her own mother. Hobart arrives, posies in hand, just in time to be arrested! The real star is a monster vacuum cleaner that attacks anyone within range. The final moments, with all the good guys trussed up and strung together while the lights go out and the vacuum cleaner goes on, are among the funniest ever on a stage. The pace is rapid fire, the dialogue hilarious, and the laughter non stop.

Performances will be held at the West Holt High School Lecture Hall in Atkinson.  Enjoy the comedy play along with a Chocolate Indulgent dessert on February 10 at 7:00 pm (free will donation) and a matinee and a Chocolate Indulgent dessert on February 12 at 2:00 pm (free will donation). A Chocolate Indulgent dinner theater will be held on February 11 @ 6:00 pm (tickets $35).  Make the dinner theater your Valentine’s Day gift to your sweetheart. Tickets for all performances are available at the Great Western Bank in Atkinson and the Tri-County Banks in Atkinson and Stuart, at the Foundation office at 313 West Pearl Street in Atkinson (pharmacy building) or from Foundation Board members: Shannon Dvorak, Lisa Fix, Miles Garwood, Wayne Owens, Lois Poessnecker and Brad Rowan. For more information call the Foundation at 402-925-2811, ext. 3701.

Save the Date! Don’t miss the largest fundraiser for the West Holt Medical Services Foundation. 

West Holt Medical Services Foundation scholarship application deadlines Nov. 15 and April 15 each year

ATKINSON —  In 1988 West Holt Medical Services Foundation awarded it’s first five scholarships to Patty Gokie, Scott Steinhauser, Peggy Tejral, Jan McGrath and Tracy Straka.  The Foundation continues to offer $200 scholarships to assist individuals of any age in North Central Nebraska that is interested in pursuing a degree or certificate in a medical field.  Individuals who have already received a scholarship from the Foundation are invited to apply again. 

Primary consideration will be given to individuals that have expressed interest in obtaining employment in their chosen medical field in North Central Nebraska. You may view the Scholarship Guidelines by clinking this link Guidelines.

Applications are accepted by the Foundation at any time.  Applications may be picked up from area high school counselors and can be downloaded by clicking this link Scholarship Application or you may call the Foundation office at 925-2811, ext. 3701 and have one mailed to you.

Scholarships can be used for:
The Foundation provides funds which make scholarships, grants, fellowship and/or loans available to those people seeking to expand their medical knowledge and training. Aspiring medical students, interns, resident physicians, doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and any medical staff benefit from our services now and in the years to come. 

Monique Johnson named Director for the West Holt Medical Services Foundation

ATKINSON —  Monique Johnson has joined the staff of the West Holt Medical Services Foundation as the Foundation Director.

She will work with the Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff in leading the Foundation’s dedication to maintaining and improving healthcare for the citizens of North Central Nebraska. The Foundation was formed not only to preserve a high quality of medical services but to develop educational related health programs in our community.

Johnson is the daughter of Norris and Marge Johnson.  Her years growing up in Atkinson have given her a deep understanding of the quality of life that the area has to offer.  She knows first hand through her experience as a patient of the West Holt Medical Services (WHMS) that WHMS provides well-rounded family healthcare with respect and understanding for the physical and emotional needs of the North Central Nebraska communities. 

She has nine plus years in nonprofit leadership and resource development. Johnson looks forward to utilizing her experience as a nonprofit leader in resource development and the great love she has for her hometown to lead the community to assist WHMS in the upgrading of our hospital equipment and services, the recruiting and training of medical staff, professionals and support staff and help provide WHMS future financial stability.

In 2009, we embarked upon a community partnership to ensure the continued success of our rural healthcare. 

Through these continued efforts, we hope to secure our healthcare for generations to come!

Click here to learn more about the foundation and future projects.

The Foundation is seeking 9.5K to 1.3M dollars in immediate, pledged, and deferred gifts.  Donations received will assist WHMS in the upgrading of our hospital equipment and services, the recruiting and training of medical professionals and support staff and help provide WHMS future financial stability.  The Foundation intends to reach this goal with the help of local individuals, businesses and foundations.  As an important member of the "WHMS Family", you play a vital role in assuring the success in this effort.

Tax Exempt
West Holt Medical Services Foundation is a tax-exempt Foundation.  Donations are deductable on both State and Federal taxes.  Speak to your tax professional about how to maximize tax breaks from these donations!

Gifts or bequests can be made in various ways:

• Gifts of cash

• Gifts of appreciated property

• Gifts of life insurance

• Gifts by Will or Trust

• Gifts from financial accounts

• Gifts from retirement plans

• Gifts that provide income

Download a pledge card here.

OR

Contact the Foundation Director

Monique Johnson

Phone: (402) 925-2811, ext. 3701

West Holt Medical Services Foundation
PO Box 214, Atkinson, NE 68713 ~ (402) 925-2811, ext. 3700