Scottish Rite’s Rite Care Valley of Columbia, Inc. presented a check for $15,000 to the Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation to benefit speech therapy services for children at Hannibal Regional Hospital. L-R: Jack Kairy, Scottish Rite; Wendy Harrington, President - Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation; Shelley Bergman, Hannibal Regional Hospital Manager – Speech Therapy; Curtis Burton, M.D., Chairman – Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation; and John Grossmeier, President and CEO –Hannibal Regional Hospital.

Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation received a donation from Scottish Rite that will enable Hannibal Regional Hospital to expand provision of its speech therapy services for young children.

Officials from the Scottish Rite Freemasons Valley of Columbia organization and RiteCare Valley of Columbia Inc., the philanthropic organization of the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia, presented the $15,000 donation to Wendy Harrington, President and CEO of Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation and John C. Grossmeier, President and CEO of Hannibal Regional Hospital on Friday, November 12.

“Hannibal Regional Hospital appreciates the support of the Scottish Rite as they join our team in furthering the commitment to serve children with communication disorders,” commented Mr. Grossmeier. “These funds will allow us to provide services to children who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to receive care.”

Additional Hannibal Regional Hospital team members attending the presentation included Bob Crawford, Group Director – Rehabilitation Services; Suzanne Koehler, Vice President - Clinical Services; and Shelley Bergman, Manager - Speech Therapy.

“This gift will have a direct impact on the success these young children will have as they continue to grow and develop,” stated Ms. Harrington. “We are grateful groups like the Scottish Rite can offer such donations which fulfill a common mission of importance to both organizations.”

The funds will be designated for speech therapy for children ages 0-6, especially concentrating on the underserved population. Program participants will be selected on the basis of financial and clinical criteria.

“This program will allow us to help children whose families may have had a gap in insurance coverage and who are not covered by other speech therapy assistance programs,” explained Mr. Crawford.

Scottish Rite members participating in the gift presentation include Jack Kairy, President of the Board of Rite Care Valley of Columbia, Inc.; Duane Dimmitt, Chairman Of the Board; Jim Haddox, Executive Secretary Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia; Michael Shulse, Board member; Michael O’Cheltree, Board member; and Bobby Wheeler, Member Orient of Illinois, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

RiteCare is an outgrowth of a commitment by Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States and started in the 1950s to assist children with speech and language disorders. Today there are 178 RiteCare clinics, centers and special programs operating or planned across the country.

Mr. Kairy stated “We are pleased to have the opportunity to build this partnership with Hannibal Regional Hospital. This is the kind of collaboration that allows us to reach the goal of helping children with special needs.”

For more information on speech therapy or other rehabilitative programs at Hannibal Regional Hospital, call 573-248-5355.