The Spirit of Excellence team is made up of employees from many different hospital departments. We are dedicated to promoting harmony and fun at Fillmore County Hospital. We also promote the spirit of giving and generosity by volunteering in our communities and by our philanthropy.


•   Together with Heritage Crossings – donated 1200 pounds of food to Blue Valley
•   Donated $90.00 to Fillmore County Military Support Group
•   Donated $94.00 to Fillmore County Teammates
•   Donated $90.00 to the Young Leaders of Fillmore County
•   Donated $165.00 to the WWII Monuments by Milligan
•   Donated $131.00 to the Strang Community Center
•   Donated $90.00 to the Exeter Pool for a pool wheelchair
•   Participated in Shickley and Fillmore Central Homecoming Parades
•   Participated in Red Ribbon Day at Fillmore Central Elementary
•   Relay for Life team raised $9295.60 for Fillmore County Relay for Life


Pictured (from L-R): Paul Utemark, Beth Schweitzer, Shari Michl, Lisa Hopken, Kim Gewecke, Suzann Lovell, Melea Walters,
Karen Jantzi, Tessa Hayse, Irene Bartels, Val Poppert, Ann Vodicka, Ron Fleecs, Nadine Ochsner, Marty Peppard


The 2009 team, the Tumor Tacklers, consisted of 18 members, with Val Poppert and Kim Gewecke serving as the team captains. Each team member was given a challenge to raise $100. Several members surpassed that amount, with Kim and Val both raising $425.

It has taken the hospital a long time to get active with the ACS, with 2009 being our second year of participation. In 2 years, the Tumor Tacklers have raised $10,000 and have set their goals pretty high for 2010.

Some of the fundraisers that have helped them are Denim Days (Employees pay a set fee and are allowed to wear blue jeans), a bracelet raffle (Bracelet made and donated by Melea Walters), and their biggest fundraiser was the bake sale and basket auction, which will be held again on April 2, 2010.

Val and Kim have already started attending meetings and are excited about next years fundraisers and relay!