Donor Stories

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Long-time volunteer exemplifies a passion

For Jo Bailey, St. Joseph's Hospital is a special place. Many members of her family were born here, including her husband and all seven of her children. It’s this personal connection and the hospital’s more than 150-year commitment to the community that prompted Bailey to begin volunteering with the auxiliary about 20 years ago.

“As my children grew older, I had more time for the community, and one way to become involved was to help raise money to ensure the continuation of quality care at the hospital,” Bailey says. “As a volunteer, I get such a good feeling knowing I am helping a great organization.”

Over the years, St. Joseph’s has experienced many changes, but one of its bedrock characteristics has remained the same – its foundation in faith. “I think one of the hospital’s greatest attributes is that it is the
only Catholic hospital in the Twin Cities,” Bailey says. “Patients can feel the difference in the care they receive at St. Joseph’s. And becoming part of HealthEast did not change that. HealthEast’s mission supports
the compassionate care St. Joseph’s has always provided.”

Bailey has a nursing background and recognizes quality care when she sees it. “St. Joseph’s has high standards for itself, and its long history has made it one of the leaders in setting benchmarks for patient care.”

Looking to the future

With the hospital expanding and renovating its facilities, Bailey and her husband are committed to providing
monetary support in addition to her volunteer hours. “Institutions like St. Joseph’s need donations in order to take their excellence a step further,” she says.“And St. Joseph’s is a good steward of its funds. The community can see the results of its support every day in the work of the hospital – healing people and saving lives.”

For Bailey, supporting the hospital is not only about the care it can provide today; it’s about tomorrow as well. “When people donate their time and money to the hospital, they are creating a legacy for their children and grandchildren,” she says. “I urge community members to give back to the hospital for its years of service to St. Paul and to ensure the continuation of great care for many years to come.”

After heart-warming care, one couple chooses to give back

Laura Kolar and her husband, Steve Kolar, MD a HealthEast executive and internal medicine physician, have long felt a special attachment to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

“St. Joe’s has been a place where we have experienced some of the happiest and saddest times in our lives,” Laura says. “Our first granddaughter was born there, which was a happy, happy time. And my
father died there. So we feel very close to the place and the staff.”

Steve concurs: “We think St. Joe’s is a special place. The employees are involved in a way I’ve never seen. The hospital is personal for them. It’s not a job – it’s almost a way of life. They support each other and the hospital’s mission. It’s a unique form of medical care.”

When Steve needed medical care himself, he didn’t hesitate in choosing St. Joseph’s Hospital. He says the care he received was unbelievable. “And I don’t think it was because I work there,” he reflects. “I think everybody receives the same care: the personal touch, the going the extra mile and the absolute commitment to the patient that the staff exhibits.”

Laura adds, “You just feel so cared for when you’re there.”

Supporting what they believe in

The exceptional care that the Kolars and their family have received at St. Joseph’s, combined with a strong belief in the hospital’s mission, have driven the couple to give more than thanks. Laura serves on the Foundation Board, where she helps raise funds and community awareness for HealthEast’s care initiatives. Their latest passion is the St. Joseph’s capital campaign, which will help fund the construction of a new patient tower. Steve, who leads many quality improvement initiatives throughout the HealthEast Care System
in his professional role, also co-chairs the St. Joseph’s capital campaign.

“I’m excited that the incredible staff will no longer have to deal with the impediments of an old building in the future,” Laura says. “Working in a beautiful new facility will help them do their jobs even better.”

Couple agrees, Giving back feels like the right thing

John “Bud” and Kathleen “Kathy” Rooney of Afton have made several gifts to the HealthEast® Foundation for St. Joseph’s Hospital over the years, most recently to the capital campaign for the major expansion and renovations that are currently underway. Asked how his connection to the hospital began, Bud jokes, “I was born there, and they never let me out!”

Although that’s not true, he and his wife have relied on the hospital repeatedly for expert care. Bud has been hospitalized several times. “I’ve had doctors tell me that they wouldn’t need many patients like me to make a good living,” he teases. He’s had numerous knee surgeries, treatment for prostate cancer and more.
Kathy delivered some of the couple’s seven children at St. Joseph’s, and chose St. Joseph’s again when she needed surgery. Both rave about the hospital, its staff and doctors. “Everything about the hospital is
first-class,” Bud says. “I received great care with excellent service and attention.”

Kathy, who has spent more time there as a visitor than a patient, agrees, and adds,“It’s not just patients who are treated well. They take excellent care of the patients’ families, too.”

Bud has referred several friends who needed care to the hospital, and “now they love it, too!” he says.

Blossoming relationships

Bud is a close friend of Dr. John Fee, whose long medical career and passion for preventive health are honored with the John G. Fee, MD, Education Center at another HealthEast hospital, Woodwinds Health Campus. The two met when Dr. Fee spoke at a Rotary Club meeting Bud attended.

Through his association with Dr. Fee, Bud was recruited to serve on the HealthEast Foundation Board, which he did for several years. That experience gave him a deeper understanding of the hospital’s
workings and needs. And it led to Bud and Kathy feeling the need to give something back to an institution that has served them so well over such a long history.

"St. Joseph’s is such a great place; it deserves our support!” Bud exclaims.