How We Make a Difference

Our donors are vital partners in strengthening the health and well-being of our community. Through your generosity, the Vernon Health Foundation supports:

  • Education for future providers through scholarships for students entering healthcare

  • Professional growth for Vernon Health staff with internal education and continuing-education scholarships

  • Special patient initiatives that provide programs, support, and meaningful enhancements to care

  • Advanced medical technology that brings the latest tools and equipment to Vernon Health’s hospital, clinics, and service lines

Your gift changes lives and makes a lasting impact in our region.

Ways to Give

A gift to the Vernon Health Foundation is an impactful way to make a lasting difference.
There are many meaningful ways to contribute:

By Mail: Vernon Memorial Healthcare Foundation, 507 S. Main Street, Viroqua, WI 54665

By Phone: 608-637-4374

Online: Make a secure donation through our online giving form

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Vernon Health Foundation

The Vernon Health Foundation partners with donors, businesses, and community members to improve the health and wellbeing of our region. Every contribution supports programs, equipment, education, and initiatives that directly benefit patients and families.

Image of films on a field volunteers handing out snacks to a child

Films on the Field: A Night of Community and Connection

This July, the Vernon Health Foundation hosted its third annual Films on the Field outdoor movie event at the Vernon County Fairgrounds. Community members enjoyed free admission, along with complimentary pizza, ice cream, and popcorn as Inside Out lit up the jumbo screen. Throughout the evening, we shared mental health tips and information about local resources to support the people and families we serve and to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness, and 1 in 6 youth ages 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year.

new medicine takeback kiosks in the Viroqua, La Farge, and Soldiers Grove clinic pharmacies

Expanding Access: New Medicine Takeback Kiosks

On October 25, in recognition of National Drug Take Back Day, the Vernon Health Foundation purchased and installed three new medicine takeback kiosks in the Viroqua, La Farge, and Soldiers Grove clinic pharmacies. These kiosks now provide our community with a safe, year-round way to dispose of unused medications—helping protect families and the environment.

Investing in the Future: Healthcare Scholarships

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the Vernon Health Foundation and the Friends of VMH awarded a collective $30,000 in scholarships to local students pursuing careers in healthcare. This support reflects our shared commitment to improving access to care throughout the region by empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

To keep this momentum strong, we are seeking to raise $15,000 to support next year’s scholarship schedule. We are adjusting our timeline to better meet students’ funding needs, and this one-time increase in support will help prevent any gaps in scholarship availability

Across the country, communities are feeling the effects of a growing healthcare workforce shortage. Vernon Health is no exception. This year alone, eight of our trusted healthcare professionals retired—many after decades of dedicated service. As we look ahead, one of the most powerful ways we can help fill this gap is by supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through scholarships.

By investing in healthcare scholarships, we can inspire and equip local students to pursue medical careers, strengthening the future of care right here at home.

When thinking about how to share the power of this work, we realized the story is best told by those who have lived it. On the next page, you’ll meet Abigail, one of our 2024–25 scholarship recipients. Her experience reflects the generational impact that education—and community support—can have in helping students turn dreams into reality.

The Vernon Health Foundation is deeply committed to strengthening rural healthcare. Your generosity to the scholarship fund this year will continue to spark meaningful and lasting change for local students committed to caring for others.

Our goal is to raise $15,000, which will fund a full year of scholarships as we transition to a new application window (January–April) and a more student-friendly payment schedule (August and December). This transition requires a one-time additional award during a single fiscal year, making your support especially important.

With your help, we can continue to uplift local students—many of whom may one day care for us, our families, and our community. Thank you for being part of this vital work.

Our Goal

We are seeking community help to raise $15,000 to support five annual $3,000 scholarships by January 31, 2026.

Why Now

Vernon Health Foundation is adjusting our scholarship application and payment schedule to better accommodate student needs for funding, which means offering more funding in this new fiscal year to prevent any gaps for students.

Who Benefits

Five hardworking local college students pursuing a career in healthcare (and our entire community in the future). One of the five scholarships that we offer supports Vernon Health employees, and one of the five supports Nursing students specifically.

What We Mean by “Local”

Scholarship recipients must be residents of Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, or Vernon counties — or be a current Vernon Health Employee to be eligible.

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What We Do

Patient Care Initiatives

We fund special programs and projects that enhance comfort, improve care experiences, and support patients throughout their health journey.

Education & Scholarships

We invest in future healthcare professionals through scholarships and continuing education that strengthen local access to skilled care.

Community Health & Outreach

We support outreach programs, wellness education, and screenings that promote healthier lives across the communities we serve.

Technology & Equipment

We help bring the latest medical tools and technology to Vernon Health, ensuring patients receive advanced, reliable, and efficient care.

Your gift directly improves lives—today and for generations to come.

How Your Support Makes an Impact

When you give to the Vernon Health Foundation, 100% of every dollar supports programs that enhance care, expand access, and improve the patient experience at Vernon Health.

Recent initiatives include:

  • Reach Out and Read programs at all four Vernon Health clinics

  • Cardiopulmonary Health Maintenance Program support for patients in need

  • Center for Special Children programming

  • Vernon Health Foundation & Friends of Vernon Health Scholarship Program

Your generosity strengthens healthcare close to home.

 

Our Board

The Vernon Health Foundation Board is made up of community members dedicated to strengthening local healthcare through service and philanthropy.

If you’re interested in serving on the Foundation Board, review our Board Member Recruitment Packet or contact the Foundation to learn more about how you can make an impact through service.

  • Phil Strand, Chair

  • Vickie Van Blarcom, Vice-Chair

  • Nick Veglahn, Treasurer

  • Neil Lonergan, Secretary

  • Elizabeth Filter

  • Vicki Banta

  • Justin Miller

  • Jana Pedretti

  • Brian Buening

  • Kristi Deaver

Events & Fundraisers

Each year, the Vernon Health Foundation hosts community events that bring people together in support of local healthcare. These gatherings celebrate generosity, connection, and the impact of giving.

Stay tuned for details about our next Foundation event.