Delivering on a Promise
The Delivering on a Promise campaign supports the renovation and expansion of our Childbirth Center. The goal is to kick off the project as soon as possible however, additional donations are essential to provide further support. As of July 1, 2024, the campaign donation total is at $2,209,000. A successful campaign will ensure adequate funds to initiate the project.
The Walter & Evelyn Braun Childbirth Center
The generous $1 million donation received from the Walter and Evelyn (Severt) Braun Family in July 2023 was a catalyst for a growing need to renovate and expand Mercer Health’s Childbirth Center. The Brauns raised their 11 children in Coldwater – Bill, Mary, Ann, Dan, John, Tony, Peg, Roger, Ken, Susan and Mike.
Pictured standing, from left to right is Lisa Klenke, CEO at Mercer Health; Danielle Dues, Childbirth Center Manager at Mercer Health; Tony Braun; Mary (Braun) Kirkman; John Kirkman; Mike Braun; Susan (Braun) Fennig and Linda Finke, Director of Inpatient Services at Mercer Health. Seated is Bill Braun and Ann (Braun) Wolf.
This project ensures:
- Safer space for cesarean procedures, particularly in emergent situations
- Additional space for increasing births
- Enhanced nursery allowing for dedicated space for unique situations
- Continuation of local, compassionate, quality childbirth services
Why is a renovation and expansion of the Childbirth Center needed?
The cesarean suite for the Childbirth Center remains in the original Surgery Center on the 2nd floor of the East Wing. It did not move to the new Surgery Center as regulation requires it to be on the same floor as the Childbirth Center. By expanding into the space adjacent to the Childbirth Center, we will create a new cesarean suite within the Childbirth Center. This allows for:
- Faster transfers from the Childbirth Center to the cesarean suite in emergent situations
- Elimination of patients being transported through public spaces into the cesarean suite
- Overall cohesiveness for staffing coordination and patient/family comfort
Births at Mercer Health have steadily increased over the past 10 years, highlighting the importance of a quality birthing center for families in our community. When families choose to stay or return, our community benefits as a whole.
Your Support Matters
Having local healthcare is something we often take for granted, but for many, it is nearly a luxury. Over a dozen birthing centers in Ohio closed in 2023, including one very close to home in Van Wert. Alarmingly, 54% of rural hospitals in Ohio do not have OB services. These closures are largely due to the financial challenges healthcare systems face, as reimbursement for care continues to decrease while the cost of care increases.
In short, childbirth centers close to help the bottom line of these organizations, leaving their communities with a void in services. Mercer Health is blessed to have the support of the local community, which understands the importance of local, quality healthcare and is willing to support the organization. This support ensures that local, quality healthcare continues, thus preserving our way of life—strong schools, strong industry, and strong families—in our community.
Donate NowRecognizing Our Generous Donors
The MED Foundation and Mercer Health would like to recognize the following donors for their generous support to the Walter and Evelyn Braun Childbirth Center. Your contributions have made a significant impact on our community and the lives of many families. A limited amount of additional naming opportunities are available. If you are interested in supporting the Walter and Evelyn Braun Childbirth Center and securing a naming opportunity, please contact us for more information.
Building on a Promise Donors
Childbirth Center $1,000,000
Walter & Evelyn Braun Family
Mural Photo Wall $150,000
The Peoples Bank Co.
Infant Exam Room $75,000
St. Henry Tile Co.
Obstetrician Room $50,000
Cooper Farms
Patient Exam Room $50,000
Jack & JoAnn Hartings
Patient Triage Room $50,000
Crown Equipment
Private Patient Suite 1 $50,000
VJ & Marilyn Westerheide
Private Patient Suite 2 $50,000
Mike & Kay Pax Family
Building on a Promise Donors
Private Patient Suite 3 $50,000
The St. Henry Bank
Private Patient Suite 4 $50,000
Steve & Marlene Pax Family
Private Patient Suite 5 $50,000
Robert & Connie Homan Family
Private Patient Suite 6 $50,000
Citizens National Bank
Private Patient Suite 7 $50,000
Celina Insurance Group
Nurses Station/Family Welcome $35,000
Steve & Diane Lefeld Family
Nurses Station (South) $35,000
Dr. Preetha Amaran
Visitor Nutrition $25,000
Volunteer Association of Mercer Health
Additional Generous Donors
$20,000-$10,000 Donors
Kerry & Shelly Bruns
Chickasaw Machine
Osgood State Bank
Preferred Insurance Center
$10,000 - $5,000
Dr. Megan and Blaise Core
Dr. Jayanth and Lakshmi Gutta
$5,000 and Below
Ted and Diana Bertke
Robert and Jean Dues
Ken and Patti Gelhaus
Dave and Pam Hicks
RB Advertising
Mark and Kathy Speelman
Michael and Heather Vujea
Jack and Mary Lou Wenning Family
Naming Opportunities Available
Nursery $500,000
Childbirth Center Surgery Suite $300,000
Childbirth Center Donor Wall $100,000
Infant Nutrition Room $50,000
Private Patient Suite 8 $50,000
Private Patient Suite 9 $50,000
Private Patient Suite 10 $50,000
Nurses Station (North) $35,000
Jack & Lexi Hemmelgarn
“Thank you to everyone in the OB department for taking such good care of us. We knew we were in good hands! Thank you for answering any and all questions and making sure we were doing well and taken care of. Otto was very lucky to have such a wonderful staff making sure he was doing well our whole stay. A BIG thanks to all the on call team for keeping me calm and having the unplanned cesarean section go smoothly. We were very lucky to have all of you!”
Josh & Kelly Werling
“Thank you all so much for making Tessa’s birth such a great experience. Even as a third time mom, there are still new challenges with a newborn and your knowledge, caring, compassion, and professionalism was so appreciated. You are all truly angels on earth!”
Chase & Kiah Bruns
“Going into your first pregnancy and birth is intimidating because you don’t know what to expect, but I couldn’t have had a more positive experience. During my pregnancy, I always felt so welcome at every appointment. My entire birth stay from the time I checked in, to having my baby, to walking out, every single health care provider I interacted with treated me and my baby so well. Thank you to all of the staff, especially the nurses, in the Mercer Health OB department who made my first pregnancy and delivery go so smooth. We are so lucky to have Mercer Health!”
Connor & Leah Rammel
“Each nurse had their own special way of making me feel cared for during my hospital stay. I have nothing but love for Mercer Health OB. The expertise and professionalism I encountered during my stay certainly didn’t go unnoticed! I thank all the doctors, nurses, cafeteria staff and janitorial staff that took care of me and my baby boy. It truly was a wonderful experience and I pray I’ll get to experience it again someday!”
“Three years ago while the OB nurses at Mercer Health were prepping me for my scheduled caesarean delivery with Dr. Seward, I remember my husband and I feeling nothing but excitement, and some anxious butterflies that were easily calmed down by the people caring for me. We knew that we were in excellent hands with Dr. Seward and couldn’t wait to meet our baby! The process of admissions, surgery prep and delivery all went as smooth as possible and within a short time we heard our baby cry and Dr. Seward announce that we had a baby boy! Our tiny but mighty, 6lb Russell Jude was here and we couldn’t wait to hold him! We remember the excitement shared with us in the surgical room and the nurses saying “how cute is he!” I remember them bringing me back to my hospital room after the delivery, and holding my baby while the friendly faces of nurses were in and out to check on both of us.
It was a time of comfort and joy! Dr. Seward was in a couple days after Russell was born doing his rounds and checking on me, and I remember telling him I wasn’t even sure I just delivered a baby because I felt that good and could barely feel my incision site! I remember him smiling back and agreeing to my next comment of “my doctor is just that good!” Everything was looking good with me, and I was discharged to go home, but Russell had other plans. With being born early at just 36 weeks, due to my preeclampsia, Russell struggled with maintaining his blood sugar levels. So, we remained in the hospital with our baby for the next couple of days. Even though I had been discharged, the staff made sure I was still tended too and went out of their way to make me feel comforted, all while taking the best care of our baby!
The nurses and Dr. Jungblut, Russell’s pediatrician at the time, were incredibly professional and explained everything to us in detail. It sure helped ease our fears! Finally, after about a weeks stay in the hospital, Russell’s levels stayed stable and he was discharged to go home! We were thrilled! I remember a nightshift nurse coming into my room the night before we were to go home, and she talked to me as if she’d known me my entire life. Each nurse had their own special way of making me feel cared for during my hospital stay. I have nothing but love for Mercer Health OB. The expertise and professionalism I encountered during my stay certainly didn’t go unnoticed! I thank all the doctors, nurses, cafeteria staff and janitorial staff that took care of me and my baby boy. It truly was a wonderful experience and I pray I’ll get to experience it again someday!”
Sean, Jessie, Carsen, Maddie & Finn
“I cannot thank the Childbirth Center and surgery department enough for making sure my little boy and I received the best care possible. What we thought was going to be a normal afternoon turned into a pretty scary one. Thank you for rushing to get baby Finn into the world and able to breathe. Every single person in the room and aftercare deserves to be recognized because we definitely felt the community they are. They put passion into their care and never let you feel like a burden. We are extremely grateful for all of you. You are all amazing!”
A special shout out to Natalie for getting me through labor. She’s an absolute gem of a nurse! She never let me go without knowing what was happening and gave me pep talks to keep pushing through the pain and even let me hold her hands when needed. Another shout out for Kendra the anesthesiologist for talking baby Finn’s father and me through every single step she was doing during the epidural and the emergency c-section. You put our minds at ease during the unknown. We are extremely grateful for all of you. Thank you, Dr. Seward, (also the nurses at his office), the Childbirth Center, Kendra, and the surgery team. You are all amazing!”
Cory & Samantha Klenke
“We cannot say enough good things about the OB department at Mercer Health Hospital. We have had the privilege of giving birth to five beautiful children under their care, and the experience has been amazing every single time! The entire team made us feel welcome, comfortable, and confident that we were in the best possible hands. They always took the time to listen, answer all of our questions, and provide personalized care. They also ensured that we always understood what to expect every step of the way, making sure that the birthing process went as smoothly as possible. Words cannot truly express our immense gratitude to the incredible OB team at Mercer Health. They have played such an important role in helping to grow our family and making some of the most joyous, memorable moments of our lives. Our family will be forever thankful for the exceptional care they have provided over the years.”
The nursing staff made us feel welcome, comfortable, and confident that we were in the best possible hands. Their bedside manner, expertise, and compassion put our anxieties at ease. Doctor Rosado along with the labor and delivery nurses are phenomenal – knowledgeable, skilled, and genuinely caring. They always took the time to listen, answer all of our questions, and provide personalized care. They also ensured that we always understood what to expect every step of the way, making sure that the birthing process went as smoothly as possible.
The nursery staff doted over each of our newborns, ensuring they were healthy, happy, and receiving the absolute best start to life. It was a relief to know that our babies were being so well cared for. Words cannot truly express our immense gratitude to the incredible OB team at Mercer Health Hospital. They have played such an important role in helping to grow our family and make some of the most joyous, memorable moments of our lives. Our family will be forever thankful for the exceptional care they have provided over the years. THANK YOU!”
Luke & Emily Homan
“Eleven years ago, Luke and I married, and shortly after found out we were going to start our family. We decided we wanted to deliver at Mercer Health because of the location and short distance from our house. After delivering our first child we knew we made the right decision. The staff at Mercer Health are all very professional and kind during some of the most important and vulnerable moments of my life. They always go above and beyond to make sure my deliveries are as comfortable as possible. After having our sixth child in July, the staff in the Mercer Health labor and delivery department feel more like family than hospital staff! To the entire staff at Mercer Health, thank you for everything!”
Your support is appreciated.
To discuss a possible donation or to learn more, contact Deb Hemmelgarn, Director of the MED Foundation and Volunteer Services at 419-678-5679 or dhemmelgarn@mercer-health.com.
The Medical, Educational and Development Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions to the MED Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Learn more about the MED Foundation here.
Deb Hemmelgarn, Director of the MED Foundation and Volunteer Services
Phone: 419-678-5679
Email: dhemmelgarn@mercer-health.com