Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond Reciprocates Generosity with Ambulance Donation

Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond EMS recently acquired a new ambulance thanks to the generosity of Marjorie Gruis and her extended family.  In 2018, the Marjorie Gruis Estate donated $500,000 to the Belmond Community Hospital Foundation for the purchase of two new ambulances.  The first of those ambulances was delivered in December 2021, while the second one arrived in May of this year.

Patient safety and comfort were priorities in the design of this ambulance.  Some of the enhanced features include a rear liquid suspension system for smoother transports; twice the oxygen carrying capacity for patients in need of high-flow oxygen on long transports; and improved accommodations for ancillary equipment such as ventilators and baby monitors.

Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond EMS was inspired by the generosity of the Gruis family.  When it came time to retire an ambulance to make room for the new one, the decision was made to donate that unit to the City of Dows.  The Dows community is currently served by Clarion and Franklin County EMS, which can result in long wait times for emergency care.  The City of Dows is in the process of establishing a first responder service to provide emergency medical care to residents of the community until a transporting ambulance service arrives on scene.  Having a full-size ambulance will give them a suitable, secure space to provide that care.

“Over the years, ISH - Belmond EMS has been blessed by the generosity of others. Donating this ambulance to the City of Dows was an opportunity to extend some of that same generosity while supporting the efforts to build a stronger EMS presence throughout Wright County,” shared Monica Halverson, Ambulance Leader.

DuWayne Abel, with 28+ years of service, getting ready to take the new ambulance for a test drive.*

Paul Rokke, with 33+ years of service, inspecting the patient compartment interior.*

*Paul & DuWayne were instrumental in the design of this ambulance and the vendor selection for its construction.

Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond EMS representatives L to R: Monica Halverson and Troy Grimes handing over old 99-121 to Nathan Stuck, Billy Stuck and David Stein, representatives from the future Dows First Responder service.