Marjorie Owen Kirchner Estate Donates $100,000 to UMH Capital Campaign

Uvalde Memorial Hospital (UMH) received a $100,000 gift and specific bequest from the Marjorie Owen Kirchner Estate. The donation will be designated to the $5.2-million Better Health Begins Here capital campaign for equipment, technology and art for the new hospital slated for completion in early 2022.

“Mrs. Kirchner was a kind and thoughtful woman and this bequest is a tangible legacy from her and her late husband that we are grateful to receive,” said Sheri Rutledge, UMH development specialist.

The elements of the campaign include: 

  • A new Nurse Call System with up-to-date facility-wide interactive communication equipment and technology offered by Jeron Nurse Call Gateway Integration HCI with Beckwith;
  • A new Patient Monitoring system will provide seamless and immediate hospital-wide communication and will also integrate with Electronic White Boards to provide up-to-date information. This system will also include call systems for shower, toilet, bed, crib, and wall;
  • A Cableless Fetal Monitoring system will allow continuous tracking of up-to-the-minute information on the health of the expectant mothers and their babies and will drastically improve and enhance workflow and strengthen the best possible birth care;
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner;
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) Scanner;
  • Art for Healing and Wellbeing: A hospital-wide art initiative for patients, families, and staff to help reduce stress and loneliness, improve health and healing, and create compassionate care spaces filled with inspiration and peace. A fountain and garden area at the entrance of the new hospital is also included in the initiative.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kirchner always appreciated the care their family received at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Both wanted to contribute to its mission of providing first class care to the community,” said Debbie McDonald, executrix for the estate. “Mrs. Kirchner grew up on a ranch outside of Pumpville, Texas with her sister, Mary O. Manry. In those days social opportunities were limited to church and school, typical of country living in that day and age. In the later years, socializing and supporting community endeavors of various types became standard with the sisters and both have supported this community in various ways. Our community is very lucky to have citizens that share their gifts with this community.”

“We deeply appreciate receiving this gift to support our hospital and our future,” said Thomas Nordwick, UMH chief executive officer. “The Kirchner family will live on in the memories of our staff and the residents of the communities we serve.”

Uvalde Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) community hospital and donations to the Better Health Begins Here campaign are tax deductible. For more information contact Sheri Rutledge, development specialist, at 830-278-6251 ext. 1616. Donations may be mailed to UMH, 1025 Garner Field Road, Uvalde, Texas 78801.