Nonprofit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit 1250
15 Andre SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Address Service Requested
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jane Renwick
Chairman
Dan Butler
Vice-President
Dianne Slager
Secretary
Pete Zwier
Treasurer
Curt VanSolkema
Member at Large
Steve Bossenbroek
Donna Erickson
Ray Fuller
Melanie Glover
Amanda Osorio
Jim Samuelson
Jeff Stormo
Julio Suarez
Ricardo Tavárez
www.hisgr.org | September 2016
The Way We Were…
September 2016
Staff
Bill Paxton
Laura VanderMolen, DO
Daniel Armstrong, DDS
Kenneth Kraft
Radames Cordova
Sandra Deters, RDH
Monserrat Dykema
Barb Drenth, RN
Thressa Hoekstra
Fred Hoekzema, DDS
Daniel Garcia
Lynette Schreur, RN
Chris Shoemaker, MD
Esther Funez-Castro
Nancy VandenBerg
Rev. Ken Vanderwal
Samantha Velez, RN
Ben Verduin
Ynixce Villagomez
Healing for today.
Hope for tomorrow.
HIS is grateful to our 2016 Golf Sponsors
EAGLE SPONSORS
 Robert Antonini
Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt
 Sodium Dental
2016 Golf Event – Another Successful Year
of Raising Funds for HIS!
Our 13th Annual Golf Event was a success! Over
one hundred twenty participants enjoyed the beautiful course at Thornapple Pointe Golf Club with
friends and colleagues.
We were blessed with a gorgeous day spent on the
course! The morning flight enjoyed a wonderful
lunch and the afternoon flight a delicious dinner
followed by a silent auction. Over $38,100.00 was
raised for the ministry of Health Intervention Services!
We thank you for your continued success of this
important event!


Spectrum Health Medical Group: Concierge Medicine









Common Wealth Commerce Ctr


Holland Litho Printing Services







Burkhart & Chapp Chiropractic
Speedrack Products Group, LTD
BIRDIE SPONSORS
 Anonymous Friend of HIS (3)
Pridgeon & Clay, Inc.
Apex Spring & Stamping Corp.
Fisher & Pekel
Chemical Bank
Meridian Medical
Metro Health Hospital
In 1996
 DVD's are introduced in Japan;
 The number of users on the Internet goes from 1 million to 10 million in 12 months (it
now exceeds 3 billion);
 Ebay and Ask Jeeves begin;
 Dolly the sheep is cloned – the first cloning of a mammal;
 The U.S. stock markets, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, gains at an incredibly
fast pace and ends the year over the 6,000 mark (it’s now over 18,000)
 Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales are divorced;
 Mad Cow Disease hits Britain causing the mass slaughter of cows;
 Bombing on Paris Subway kills 2 and injures 128;
 A bomb is detonated at a U.S. military housing complex in Saudi Arabia;
 30 Black churches in Mississippi are burned to the ground in 18 months;
 The summer Olympics are held in Atlanta where a nail bomb explodes;
 And a small organization called Health Intervention Services (His) received its designation
as a 501(c)(3).
Looking back 20 years I am struck by how dramatically things change – especially related to technology and business. But I’m also struck by how some things stay the same – disrupted relationships, death and destruction, illness and disease.
In this atmosphere of fear, hopelessness, and inequity the idea of HIS was born.
In August of 1995 a group of physicians, nurses, ministers, social workers, and businesspersons
began meeting to map out plans for an evangelical medical mission in Grand Rapids. These 13
men and women, reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of the community, became the founding Board of Directors and they began plans to open a community health center in Burton
Heights. And in 1998 the doors at 15 Andre SE were opened to the community.
Carelinc
VanderPloeg, Bergakker, &
Associates
 B & V Mechanical
PAR SPONSORS
 Tandy Champion
McKesson Medical-Surgical
TEE SPONSORS
 Borgman Ford
K & M Northfield Dodge
Holland Home
Old National Bank
Össur OA & Injury
Rhoades McKee PC
Scott R. Brundage MD
In today’s world anxiety and worry are a natural consequence of the destructiveness we witness.
But as the physician and gospel writer Luke quotes the Great Physician, Jesus: “Do not worry
about your life… Your father knows what you need.”
While much has changed and will change in our community and world, the inspiration for HIS has
not. This medical mission continues to provide healing for today and hope for tomorrow in His
name.
Dental Match Completed!
We are pleased to announce the completion of our Dental
Expansion Match Challenge. Gifts received in July put us
over the top, 10 weeks ahead of the deadline!
We thank God for our supporters who helped bring this
project to a successful conclusion. Including the remodeling ,we received over $600,000 the last three years to increase our dental services.
Now, many more of our neighbors have access to compassionate, quality dental care. What a difference this makes
for Ada (see below) and others who are benefitting from
the more than 3500 dental services we will provide this
year, a nearly 90% increase in three years.
As we are enjoying this wonderful achievement, we are
also mindful of the continuing need for care. The financial
gap between what our patients can afford to pay and the
actual cost of their care continues.
Monday Night Medicine
Football season is upon us once again. That means on Monday evenings fans across the country will be tuning in to the
NFL Monday Night Football game.
On Mondays at HIS, instead of watching football, dedicated
staff and volunteers gather to provide services — as they
have for many years, all year round. The “Monday Night
Clinic” means that people who have difficulty coming in during the day can access health care.
Having worked together for several years, they share a special comradery. These volunteers, along with when they
began service, include: Pete Kuhl MD, 1/04; Dianne Slager
NP, 7/05; Keith VanRhee, interpreter, 3/13; Joyce Kariuki
RN, 1/14; Linda Schlutt RN, 9/12; Johan Lee, scribe, 4/15;
Evans Lodge, scribe, 11/12; and Amy Lang, interpreter, 5/14.
Recently, staff gathered with this special team to say good-
Staff Corner – Welcome Whitney Rhoades!
Whitney is our new Patient Financial Navigator. Previously a volunteer, her new responsibilities include patient registration, financial
and insurance navigation, patient
check out, and assistance with billing. An April graduate from Grand
Valley State University with a B.S.
in Allied Health & Spanish, she
continues her education seeking a
Masters in Health Administration from GVSU Whitney has a passion for eliminating health care barriers,
and improving care for our patients. Her fluency in
Spanish is proving very helpful. Explains Whitney: "Working at HIS has been such a blessing. From
seeing a patient’s smile to praying with them, there is
never a bad day at work. It has been amazing to learn
their stories. HIS is working hard at breaking down
barriers to good health in our community, and it's
great to be a part of that!" We love Whitney’s abilities
and enthusiasm!
1995
1996
1997
1998
2001
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
God has been faithful in providing for our needs; He will
continue to do so. And we hope that you will continue to
support HIS and our dental services.
Ada’s Story: A Smile is Worth...
Ada had stopped smiling. A pastor’s wife for 30 years, she
serves in a local ministry to those coming out of jail. Previous bad experiences with a dentist and her finances kept
her from getting care. Then last year an HIS patient in her
church told her about us. She was surprised to find a
peaceful, welcoming atmosphere and courteous gentle
care here. She says “I am smiling again and ... I now brush
my teeth with joy everyday! I thank God for HIS!”
What is a smile worth?
Health Intervention Services - Est. 1996 Highlights of Our First 20 Years
2013
2014
2015
In August an ad hoc committee of physicians, nurses, ministers, social workers, business persons began to
make plans for an evangelical-medical mission in Grand Rapids with a focus on providing healthcare for women.
The committee became the founding Board of Directors of HIS and began process to open a community health
facility in Burton Heights. Mark Blocher was hired as Executive Director. The purchase of the 11,000 sq. ft. former
AFL-CIO building at 15 Andre St SE was made possible by a gift from Rich and Helen DeVos.
Design Plus Architects, Droge Construction & Bouma Corp. led the building renovation effort with the help of
many volunteers. James Williamson was hired as Executive Director. Clinical services were performed in churches
In September the clinic was opened to the public. A Grand Opening was held on October 3. Dr. Tandy Champion
served as a volunteer Medical Director
Dr. Laura Vander Molen becomes Medical Director.
Annual Luncheon
Sylvia Daining becomes Executive Director.
First Golf Outing, several new services offered; began partnership with Spectrum for lab work
Vision services began with all volunteer staff.
First dental patient seen by Dr. John VanderKolk in
July
First ArtFeast fundraising event. Lynne Kuhl hired as
Volunteer Coordinator.
Dental Expansion Project begins led by Craig Archi
tects & Pinnacle Construction.
Electronic Medical Records System implemented.
Sylvia Daining retires as President, Bill Paxton is her suc
ceesor. Daniel Armstrong appointed Dental Director
HIS celebrates it’s 20th year of service!
bye to Dr. Pete Kuhl and his wife Lynne. Pete is leaving his
practice to move to Chicago to work with his son at
Lawndale Christian Health Center and have more time with
grandkids.
2016
Laura VanderMolen, MD shares: “Pete and Lynne have had
key roles with HIS for many years. Lynne was our volunteer
coordinator and Pete has been seeing patients twice a
month on Monday nights for almost 13 years. Their skills
and consistent, compassionate spirit will be greatly missed
at HIS.”
Why I Support HIS
HIS Expands Service and (Streams of) Hope
Starting in September, Dr. Chris Shoemaker and Clinical Coordinator Lynette Schreur are providing medical care services at
the Streams of Hope location.
SoH is a Christian community service organization located on
60th Street near Division. Paul Holtrop, Executive Director at
SoH, told the HIS Board, "Adding medical services is another
way that Streams of Hope can promote a healthier community. We are excited and thankful that HIS is willing to share
affordable, quality medical care with our neighbors."
Bill Paxton explained that “Streams of Hope is serving an economically challenged population in need of health care in their
neighborhood. This is a great opportunity for us.” Dr. Shoemaker confirmed why we are doing this when he said,
“Partnering with Streams of Hope to demonstrate Christ’s love
in another area of Grand Rapids is very exciting.”
What a way to celebrate 20 years of service!
“I have been involved with Christian medical missions for almost
fifty years. Beginning with my
first trip to Pakistan in 1968, I’ve
been on 26 trips to nine different
countries. In 2007 at the suggestion of Lynne Kuhl, I began working at HIS. I was pleased to find the same Christian spirit, dedication of the staff, and holistic approach in caring for the patients that is found in the best clinics overseas. I also become involved as a board member for
the past six years, helping with our fund raising efforts,
and as an active donor. I have seen firsthand the effects
of poverty on health. That is why the mission of HIS to
provide access to quality, compassionate health and
dental care is so important to me. The Board, staff, volunteers, and patients are thankful for the support that
allows HIS to carry on this good work.”
Dr. Raymond Fuller
Stewardship Matters
It appears that the tragic death of the musician Prince
will continue to be in the courts for quite some time.
Reportedly, he did not have a will, so a plan for his estate will be provided by the state and federal government through the courts with a significant portion to
be taken in taxes.
While we may not have Prince’s wealth, we should
care wisely and well for all that God has entrusted to
us. HIS strongly encourages everyone to have a will.
Your own plan, developed with wise counsel, will be
far better than the one the government will provide.
We have partners who can assist you, such as the Barnabas Foundation and the National Christian Foundation of West Michigan.
We encourage you to not put off caring for these important matters.
Contact Ken Kraft at (616) 475-8446 x107 or
[email protected] for more information.