By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
HaysMed President and CEO Eddie Herrman has been on the job just since Oct. 26 and he already knows the generosity and legacy of Hays businessman and philanthropist Don Bickle and his wife, Chris.
Herrman thanked the Bickles for their gift of $1 million to the HaysMed Foundation “Powerful Technology, A Look Inside” campaign during a Friday news conference at the hospital.
“We know there are a lot of changes in our industry. The biggest change we have going forward is really technology,” Herrman said. “In medicine, we’ve always been on the cutting edge when it comes to science. We’ve probably always lagged behind a little when it comes to technology. That’s one of the areas we’re really trying to leverage at this point.”
In recognition of their gift, the HaysMed Bone, Joint & Spine Center will be renamed the “Don and Chris Bickle Bone, Joint & Spine Center.”
Bickle, who was also celebrating his 90th birthday Friday, told the crowd he first would speak “on script,” which drew an appreciative laugh.
“Chris and I are truly honored to be here today. Today we’re helping to fund a CT scanner, but more importantly the gift will support quality specialty healthcare for all our families, friends and neighbors in the region,” Bickle said. “We must all remember that we will only remain excellent if continue to invest in our community now and in the future. We hope our investment in HaysMed will insure this progress in years to come.
“Now, I’m off script,” he continued, which drew another laugh.
Bickle talked about his appreciation and thanks to recently retired HaysMed CEO Dr. John Jeter, telling Herrman “you’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill. But there’s no question in my mind, you’re the man to fill those shoes,” he said while leading the crowd in a round of applause.
Bickle also gave credit to the Hays Commerce Bank for helping guide him in his philanthropic management.
“If I was half as smart as I get credit for, I could be damn dangerous,” Bickle quipped. The crowd laughed again.
“I can tell you there’s no way I could give the amount of money that I’m giving and have in the past, without the help of Commerce Bank.
“But it boils down to this. The Good Lord looks down and he says ‘Dummy, it looks like you need help again.’ And He’s right. I did.”
A primary component of the Powerful Technology Campaign is a CT scanner that captures detailed images of vital organs in a fraction of a second while reducing the radiation dose up to 82 percent from traditional CT scanners. Another initiative of the campaign is replacement of all patient monitors which will integrate with the electronic medical record system. Two catherization labs will also be renovated.
Campaign co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra kicked off the news conference as they announced $2.7 million has been received raised towards the $3 million goal. Recent major gifts included more than $50,000 from HaysMed Associates, $50,000 from the HaysMed Volunteers, and $25,000 from the Cecil and Brenda Crawford Family-Crawford Supply.
The event concluded as a surprise birthday cake, baked by HaysMed food service, was rolled out while the crowd, led by Bickle, sang a happy birthday song to him.