Thanks to the support of many people and foundations in this community, quality health care is just a short drive away. MidMichigan Health features organizations that deliver a range of regional services to area residents, including hospital care, urgent care, at-home care and specialty services.

To date, Gerstacker Foundation grants total nearly $3 million, with the majority of it funding the construction of the Harlow Building in the 1970s. This represented the Foundation’s largest single charity at the time and helped the small community hospital grow into a major medical center.

With growth also came the importance of offering the latest in medical technology for patient care. Recent funding enabled MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland to purchase the Gamma Knife. This advanced, non-invasive procedure is used in the treatment of tumors and other brain abnormalities.

Grants have supported many other activities, including those of MidMichigan Home Care. Monies have helped fund technology support systems, such as laptop computers, to meet growing needs. People served by MidMichigan Medical Centers in Clare, Gladwin and Gratiot have also benefitted from grants by the Gerstacker Foundation with support directed toward new surgical suites, a rehabilitation center, a patient care tower and an emergency department.

In keeping with its commitment to the elderly, the Gerstacker Foundation has funded innovative elderly care programs, and various projects at two nursing homes – MidMichigan Gladwin Pines and MidMichigan Stratford Village. Recent support for Stratford will include the addition of another courtyard, which will serve as a wander garden in the lawn space outside the memory care neighborhood. This will make the outdoors more accessible for residents to enjoy in a safe and caring environment.

“I don’t even know where to begin to adequately express our gratitude to the foresight of the Gerstacker Foundation for their steadfast commitment to helping us meet the health care needs of our region,” said Richard M. Reynolds, president of MidMichigan Health. “Our patients are the focus of everything that we do, and thanks to the support of the Gerstacker Foundation we are able to make a difference in the communities we serve.”