Stories
St. John’s Health Foundation’s mission is to secure philanthropic support to advance the mission and strategic objectives of St. John’s Health, including patient-centered care, clinical excellence, and community wellness.
Julie Guttormson
"In 2006, Julie Guttormson had lived in Jackson barely a year when she suffered a stroke. The stroke was caused from three blood clots, each located in different major veins of the brain. "
—Founder of Rock the Ride and Owner of Revolution Indoor Cycling
Hope and Joy (Lou Wade)
"They represent the hope for St. John’s and the joy gifting will bring!"
—Grateful Patient and Donor
Izzy Visosky
"I got the idea to send a note to Duck Brand asking them if they could lend me Duck tape to make flower pens. So all the money I make from selling the pens goes to kids with Cancer."
—Community Donor
Mitch Klebel
"I give to St. John's Health Foundation because no one can plan for unexpected hardships, supporting each other builds a better community."
—St. John's Medical Center Assistant Systems Administrator
Amy Ringholz
"I feel like my pieces always end up where they are meant to be."
—Jackson Hole Artist
Keegan Pfeil-JH Community Mask Project
"Through this community-wide mask campaign, I hope we will be able to protect not only the health care providers in Jackson and the surrounding areas, but our community as a whole. "
—Keegan Pfeil, JH Community Mask Project, Founder, RN at St. John's Health and Teton County Search and Rescue
Polly and Dick Vaughan
"The treatment that she received in all probability saved her life."
—Grateful Patient and Donor
Addie Donnan
"Everyone of every age, from newborns to grandmothers need proper health care."
—Former St. John's Health Foundation Chairwoman
Lorin Daigle
"This is the kind of incentive that makes me excited to be able to come back as a nurse one day at St. John's."
—St. John's Health Foundation Scholarship Recipient & Nursing Student
Meredith Hein
"By giving to the I Care campaign I am helping to make a positive impact that is able to enrich the lives of my coworkers, their families and members of this amazing community."
—St. John's Medical Center Obstetrics RN
Phil Leeds
"Lots of things happen on a national level, but funding goes to research, this goes to cover the need locally."
—Founder of Run & Ride for the Cure
Bridget Jenkins
"I could not do this without your help, my appreciation for what you do is over the top!"
—Bridget Jenkins-St. John's Health Foundation Scholarship Recipient & SJMC Certified Laboratory Assistant
"In 2006, Julie Guttormson had lived in Jackson barely a year when she suffered a stroke. The stroke was caused from three blood clots, each located in different major veins of the brain. "
In 2006, Julie Guttormson had lived in Jackson barely a year when she suffered a stroke. The stroke was caused from three blood clots, each located in different major veins of the brain. She had been a vibrant, active 31-year-old soaking in everything her new home offered. Skiing, running, and cycling were the go-to activities as she enjoyed her career in hospitality sales and teaching group fitness classes that she discovered a love for at age 17. Learning she had experienced a stroke was a shock, but knew she was extremely lucky to walk away healthy and with no side effects. To say the year that followed was “life changing” was an understatement. Julie turned her passion for sharing fitness into a career and crossed numerous finish lines, including Ironman Coeur d’Alene.
With the support of her husband and two small children, Julie opened the doors of Revolution Indoor Cycling in March, 2012. This year not only marks Revolution’s 5th anniversary, but 11 years since her stroke. As a young professional, Julie experienced first-hand the cost incurred from suffering a serious health complication in Jackson, requiring a transfer to Salt Lake City. From this experience, Revolution Indoor Cycling and St. John’s Health Foundation have teamed up to create “Rock The Ride“, an event to help local stroke and cardiac patients in financial need, plus aid in prevention.
Revolution Indoor Cycling prides itself on offering classes for the masses, an opportunity for all ages and fitness levels to thrive. It is with this same principle “Rock The Ride” was born. Stroke and cardiac issues can happen at any age. Through creating an event team, sponsorship and simple donation, your support will help patients blindsided by the cost of this experience and potential recovery. And to thrive.
Photos by: Katy Gray Photography
Tell Us Why You Give
"They represent the hope for St. John’s and the joy gifting will bring!"
Birthdays are special occasions to celebrate. For years I made scrumptious chocolate cakes for my sons and subsequently, for my granddaughters, as well as many friends. It turned out I was making 9 cakes from scratch and sending to my family Fed Ex annually. Since I moved to Jackson I have entertained friends with parties and flowers and dinners for their birthday. One day I decided to send them all the recipe, as I was recovering from surgery at St. John’s Health.
I know how much it means to be thought of on a birthday, for I have been the recipient of many happy occasions.
How could I show my gratitude for all that I have received through St. John’s, for surgeries, for chemo, for oncology, and most recent for knee replacement success. Yes, I spoke up more than once to SPET for their part in helping St. John’s at Town Council and letters to the editor. I even submitted my name for the board.
St. John’s Health has recently been honored for excellence. A Capital Campaign is underway to re-construct the Living Center. Memory Care and rehab for those recovering from surgery will be included.
I have personally received outstanding care at St. John’s from surgery for cancer and chemo at Oncology and knee replacement and after wards, rehab.
I was trying to think of a way to honor a family member or friend on their birthday. At the same time I was wondering a way to donate to St. John’s. It clicked to put the two together by honoring someone with a donation to the hospital on their birthday.
When I was going through chemo a few years back a friend gave me a puppy that became HOPE. When I recovered a year later I got JOY.
They represent the hope for St. John’s and the joy gifting will bring!
Tell Us Why You Give
"I got the idea to send a note to Duck Brand asking them if they could lend me Duck tape to make flower pens. So all the money I make from selling the pens goes to kids with Cancer."
Dear St. John’s Health Foundation,
Hello! My name is Izzy Visosky. All this money goes to your hospital for kids with Cancer. I got the idea to send a note to Duck Brand asking them if they could lend me Duck tape to make flower pens. So all the money I make from selling the pens goes to kids with Cancer. Then 2 weeks later I got a box with Duck tape! I hope kids with Cancer like the money.
Love,
Izzy
Tell Us Why You Give
"I give to St. John's Health Foundation because no one can plan for unexpected hardships, supporting each other builds a better community."
Tell Us Why You Give
"I feel like my pieces always end up where they are meant to be."
Inside the new St. John’s Health Oncology department, excitement is apparent everywhere.
A plain yellow wall of one of the treatment bays in the oncology department is about to be transformed into the most memorable wall in the hospital. Every little detail must be right. The hand sanitizer on the wall is even removed to insure the space is perfect.
Why?
An original Amy Ringholz masterpiece is in the process of finding its permanent home.
Amy Ringholz just finished her solo show Catch Your Heart On Fire at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. She has been working tirelessly for over a year to complete it. The show was a massive success with 19 of her paintings sold. The piece being hung today, in the Oncology Pavilion, is a 72″ x 60″ ink and oil crayon drawing, with a bit of spray paint detailing, and it happens to be the center piece of the entire show.
It is breathtaking.
An anonymous donor with a very strong passion for art, and a personal experience with the oncology department, donated the funds to the St. John’s Health Foundation to purchase this work. The donor felt a connection to the piece and its message and found the location where it belongs.
Once in place when the piece has been straightened just right the group takes a step back to experience the full effect. The room is blown away. The massive phoenix captures the room and takes control of everything around it. The mesmerizing patterns and designs make it difficult to look away. Several people feel goose bumps rising on their arms. The piece is perfect, made for this space.
Amy Ringholz understands the impact her work can have on others. She says, “Art is healing. Where hospitals can be cold, art has its own presence and good energy.” Not only does the work fill the room with light and wonder, but the message of the painting emanates through the space as well.
Titled Catch Fire, Rise Again, the piece speaks of overcoming odds and challenges. It is about happiness, celebration and excitement.
There is not a better place this painting could have ended up.
"Catch Fire, Rise Again"
Ringholz in her studio
Tell Us Why You Give
"In this remote area, St. John's Health is a beacon."
Every year, four checks arrive at St. John’s Health Foundation accompanied by a beautiful handwritten card.
Richard Pieper sends all four in honor of his late wife, Katherine, with each delivered on a meaningful day. The first arrives in honor of Katherine’s birthday, the second honors the couple’s wedding anniversary, the third memorializes her passing, and the final gift comes at Christmas.
Through Richard’s generosity, stemming from his love for his wife and his appreciation for having a top-notch hospital in a small community, the Katherine Pieper Memorial Fund supports the purchase of medical equipment and other hospital needs.
“In this remote area, St. John’s Health is a beacon. The capability of this hospital — for people from all over the world to have access to quality healthcare — is unique. You can depend on it for medical care and expertise.”
Tell Us Why You Give
"Through this community-wide mask campaign, I hope we will be able to protect not only the health care providers in Jackson and the surrounding areas, but our community as a whole. "
I moved to Jackson, Wyoming from Washington State in 2002, to follow my passion for the mountains and snowboarding. I had originally planned on being here for only one winter but like most, quickly fell in love with everything Jackson has to offer.
In 2006, I graduated from nursing school and have worked at St. John’s Health ever since! You will currently find me working in the emergency room where I have been for six years.
In 2015, I was fortunate enough to be invited to join Teton County Search and Rescue. SAR is a perfect blend of my passion for adventure, the outdoors and my devotion to medicine and helping others.
I have seen first hand, working in the emergency room, during this Covid-19 pandemic the importance of proper personal protective gear and, most importantly, masks. With a global shortage of masks, I wanted to bring our amazing community together to help. Through this community-wide mask campaign, I hope we will be able to protect not only the health care providers in Jackson and the surrounding areas, but our community as a whole. In order to keep our community safe, it is imperative we protect the health of our front line workers. Please join us in this project!
Tell Us Why You Give
"The treatment that she received in all probability saved her life."
This is a letter of appreciation for the care that my wife received in the Emergency Room and thereafter in the Intensive Care Unit…The treatment that she received in all probability saved her life.”
While traveling with her husband, Dick, Polly Vaughan was faced with a medical emergency. They came to the Emergency Room at St. John’s where she was quickly diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. In Dick’s words, “It came upon her suddenly and with no prior indication of such a problem.” The Vaughans reported that every member of the staff, “performed with a high degree of professionalism and attentiveness that clearly showed that they cared for her as a person and not just as another patient.”
In appreciation for this care, the Vaughans made a generous gift of $100,000 to the St. John’s Health Foundation to support upgrades in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Primary Care Unit. Prior to their gift, a team at SJH had already identified the key clinical priorities: the purchase of 120 large volume infusion pumps.
These pumps are small, stackable units that allow nursing staff to provide IV fluids, nutrients, and medication efficiently to patients throughout the hospital. Before their gift, departments transferred pumps between units—a common occurrence in hospitals of this size. Now, each patient room will have their own pump. They integrate easily with the electronic medical records system and include enhanced safety features further ensuring that patients at St. John’s get the best clinical care possible.
Foundation President John Goettler said, “The new IV Pumps will impact almost all inpatients at St. John’s. Our deepest gratitude goes out to the Vaughans for their generosity in recognizing the exceptional care that St. John’s provides our community and for their support in our continued improvement.”
Tell Us Why You Give
"Everyone of every age, from newborns to grandmothers need proper health care."
It is hard to imagine what Jackson would have looked like 78 years ago, and yet Addie Donnan is a woman who can remember. She has had a connection to Teton Valley since she was 12 years old. Addie remembers the long train ride from Chicago, getting picked up in Rock Springs and finally arriving at her uncle’s dude ranch in Jackson to clean and work the ranch during summer. Though she loved working at the ranch, she did have alternative motives. Addie really just liked to ride the horses more than anything.
Years later with her husband Ted, Addie visited Jackson on a vacation, and at last, they moved to the valley permanently.
Because Addie was on the board of the Children’s Hospital in Columbus Ohio, and because of her fundraising experience in Dayton Ohio, she was no stranger to the health care world. Once she and Ted moved to town, Addie quickly became involved with St. John’s Health. She remembers the old hospital, and moving all the equipment to the then-new structure. Though it was only across the street, Addie remembers the difficulty the snow and rain made the task, and also the hilarity of the situation.
When the need for a Foundation at St. John’s Health was apparent, Addie took the challenge of starting one head on by being the Foundation’s first chairwoman. She worked hard as the first chair to spread the word about the Foundation around the town. Fundraising is one of the main goals of the of the St. John’s Health Foundation, so Addie played a big part of that piece as well.
Though Addie’s time as the chairwoman of the Foundation is over, she still likes to stay involved. Addie says, “It is so important to keep up with the growth [of Jackson]”, and that is why she is as dedicated as she is to St. John’s Health and St. John’s Health Foundation. Addie recognizes that everyone of every age, from newborns to grandmothers need proper health care.
“The goal is not keeping patients from death, but giving them a good life”, she told me. And that is exactly what Addie has helped St. John’s Health achieve.
As time goes by Addie finds a proper hospital vital to maintaining a good way of life for herself. She also said that they took excellent care of her late husband, Ted. The tender love and care that he received was unbeatable.
Addie is confident that her friends and family can get good care here in Jackson and when she talks about the medical staff she says that she feels her loved ones are “secure in their hands”.
Addie and Ted Donnan
Lisa Rullman, John Goettler and Addie Donnan
Tell Us Why You Give
"This is the kind of incentive that makes me excited to be able to come back as a nurse one day at St. John's."
How long have you worked at St. John’s and in what department?
I have been at St. John’s for 5 years I think. I did a year in PCU and 4 at the living center.
What are you studying in school?
I am studying to be a nurse.
What does the scholarship program mean to you?
The scholarship program is a way for me to try and get through school with minimal debt. This means that I can concentrate on learning instead of stressing about how I am going to pay for all of this. I am also thankful to be able to stay in this beautiful area and not have to move my family around to achieve my goals. I am not sure I would be as motivated to pursue my education otherwise. Most of all it means that I am blessed to work for a company that cares about their employees and wants to see them reach their full potential. This is the kind of incentive that makes me excited to be able to come back as a nurse one day at St. John’s.
Tell Us Why You Give
"By giving to the I Care campaign I am helping to make a positive impact that is able to enrich the lives of my coworkers, their families and members of this amazing community."
My community is important to me and I want to see it flourish. By giving to the I Care campaign I am helping to make a positive impact that is able to enrich the lives of my coworkers, their families and members of this amazing community.
Tell Us Why You Give
"Lots of things happen on a national level, but funding goes to research, this goes to cover the need locally."
Be it the breathtaking views, the fishing, the climbing, the hiking, the skiing, the biking, the chance to get away, or the chance to find something new, Jackson appeals to us all for many different reasons. For Phil Leeds, co-owner of Skinny Skis, it was climbing and skiing that initially pulled him to Jackson during his summers in college. However, he chose to make Jackson his permanent home in 1977 for a different reason. “It really was the people that were the drawing card”. He felt the welcoming community and the wonderful residents was what made this town special, and he wanted to surround himself in that atmosphere. Skinny Skis began the annual Run & Ride around 20-25 years ago as three early season duathlons to promote staying active in the community. It was the perfect way to kick off the spring and just have a fun time. Come hell or high water the race was held, creating an exciting and unpredictable factor to the event.
After a few years, Kate McLaren, a local message therapist approached Phil. She had donated much of her time and services to the Oncology Department at St. John’s Health, and she understood the need of those affected by cancer. Her idea was this; make the Run & Ride a fundraiser and donate all the proceeds to the Cancer Patient Support Fund at St. John’s Health Foundation. Phil loved the idea and jumped on board immediately.
In 1999 the 1st annual Run & Ride for the Cure took place. With 150 people participating every year, from elite athletes to small children, this event really is fun for everyone. The race is a 5k run then a 15k cycling course, available for competive men and women’s teams, as well as a shorter kid’s class and fun class. It is the perfect way to bring the entire community together, help keep the town of Jackson active, and spread cancer awareness.
Since the Run & Ride for the Cure began it has contributed $191,000 to The Chemo Patient Fund to aid cancer patients financially. By helping to pay for medications, medical bills, lodging, therapy, even gas cards this fund can relieve the unimaginable stress these people feel, and allow them to begin the long healing process. Phil understands the effect he is having all around the community, “Lots of things happen on a national level, but funding goes to research, this goes to cover the need locally”.
With the Run & Ride he is able to get local businesses to take part in sponsoring the race and support many people in the community that are fighting for their lives. He recalls a story that reminds him why he puts on this event: A few years ago Kate Mclaren, one of the founding sponsors, was at a party with Carol Poole (Oncology Nurse). She came up to Kate and asked, “May I tell you how your fund helped someone today?” She then told Kate about a 20 year old young man who had testicular cancer and needed chemotherapy five days a week. It was really harsh treatment that came with horrendous nausea. He and his mother were from out of town and were camping up in Curtis Campground during the treatment, due to a lack of housing. Carol approached them with the idea that Oncology could use the Chemo Patient Fund to pay for rooms at the Hitching Post, across from the hospital. The mom burst into tears as they accepted the offer.
Phil feels honored to be able to put on this race for the community and do everything he can to raise money for the Chemo Patient Support Fund. Because of the wonderful cause, and all that the Run & Ride for the Cure stands for, Phil has no intention of slowing down, and envisions this race continuing for years to come.
Annual kids' race
Run & Ride for the Cure 2016
Tell Us Why You Give
"I could not do this without your help, my appreciation for what you do is over the top!"
Thank you again for making it possible for me to continue my education at Weber State. This, my second semester is going quickly but successfully! I currently am taking two classes, Anatomy & Physiology II and Laboratory Practices. Both classes are challenging but I love it.
I could not do this without your help, my appreciation for what you do is over the top!
Thank you!