Building a Healthier Tomorrow: Capital Campaign
The Madison Regional Health Foundation was established to support the mission of Madison Regional Health System—to provide exceptional health and wellness services to the Madison area.
We are proud to launch our Capital Campaign: Building a Healthier Tomorrow. This campaign is focused on securing the resources needed today to ensure a healthier tomorrow for our community. Funds raised will support the purchase of advanced medical equipment, the development of new health programs, recruitment of skilled professionals, scholarships for future healthcare providers, and the continued growth of our endowment. A strong endowment ensures we can meet both current and future healthcare needs right here at home.
As healthcare continues to evolve with new innovations in diagnosis and treatment, Madison’s growing and diverse population requires flexible, forward-thinking care. The Madison Regional Health Foundation is committed to supporting these advancements through strategic investments—ensuring our health system remains responsive, resilient, and locally focused.
Every donation stays within our community and directly supports the people we serve. Your gift helps us fulfill our vision of meeting the ever-changing healthcare needs of Madison and the surrounding areas.
We invite you to become part of this vital campaign and join our incredible community of donors. If you have questions, would like to learn more, or want to schedule a tour or meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or email.
Together, let’s build a healthier tomorrow.
Stephen Klekas
Madison Regional Health Foundation
Executive Director
stephen.klekas@madisonhospital.com
605-256-8817
Established in 2013, the Madison Regional Health Foundation aspires to provide resources to assist the Madison Regional Health System and advocate for local healthcare philanthropy. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are 100% tax deductible. While striving to reach our goals, Madison Regional Health Foundation helps identify and meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of the communities we serve, for the present and future years to come. The Madison Regional Health Foundation utilizes donations to improve medical care at MRHS through equipment upgrades, enhancements to patient care, scholarships, medical staff recruitment, and capital improvements. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors. The Foundation Board is made up of volunteers who live in the Madison community.
Mission
The Madison Regional Health Foundation exists to support the Madison Regional Health System and the healthcare needs of the greater Madison community. The Foundation will seek donations and raise funds for capital improvements, enhancements to patient care, technology upgrades, and otherwise fulfill Madison Regional Health System’s commitment to provide quality healthcare close to home.
Vision
The Madison Regional Health Foundation aspires to provide resources to assist the Madison Regional Health System in identifying and meeting the ever-changing health care needs of the communities we serve for the present and future years to come.
Goals
Madison Regional Health Foundation’s primary goals are to inspire philanthropy and raise funds that will ensure the Madison community has quality healthcare close to home.
Our goals are to grow our endowment to $5 million, double our yearly donors, and extend our services to neighboring communities.
Board of Directors
- Jeff Bloom, President, Lake County International
- Randy Carper, Vice-President, Carper Ag
- Dr. Ashley Crabtree, Secretary/Treasurer, Madison Vision Clinic
- Darrel Simon, Retired
- Tammy Miller, Retired
- Marlin Brozik, Retired
- Teresa Mallett, MRHS CEO
- Ed Fiegen, First Bank & Trust
- Ann Hyland, Heartland Energy
- Rachel Schardin, Lewis Pharmacy
- Josh Anderson, Dakota State University
- Jon Waldman, SBS CyberSecurity
Stephen Klekas
Madison Regional Health Foundation
605-256-8817
Stephen.Klekas@madisonhospital.com
Doris Garwood Pharmacy Scholarships
The Doris Garwood Pharmacy Scholarship is a $1000 scholarship awarded to a pharmacy student from the Madison, South Dakota area (whose hometown/high school is within a 30-mile radius of Madison). The student needs to have completed at least two years of college and be accepted to or enrolled in a pharmacy program. The scholarship was set up by Wendell Garwood to honor the memory of his wife, Doris, who passed away in 1988. Originally presented through the Madison Hospital Auxiliary, this scholarship has been awarded annually since 1989 and has helped many pharmacy students complete their education.
Madison Regional Health Foundation Awards 2026-2027 Doris Garwood Pharmacy Scholarship
Marlin Brozik; and Darrel Simon
Madison, S.D., 08.13.2026 – The Madison Regional Health Foundation is pleased to announce that Austin Reuter of Crooks, South Dakota, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026-2027 Doris Garwood Pharmacy Scholarship. Chosen by the Madison Regional Health Foundation Scholarship Committee of Chair Marlin Brozik, Rachel Schardin, and Darrel Simon, Reuter will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support his education as he begins the Pharmacy program at South Dakota State University.
Reuter recently earned acceptance into the SDSU Pharmacy Program and will complete the four-year professional program. His interest in pharmacy developed through the influence of family members and friends in the profession, but it was his firsthand experience working in a pharmacy that confirmed his career path.
“After working in a pharmacy and interacting with patients, I realized how rewarding the profession could be,” said Reuter. “Being able to help people every day made me want to pursue pharmacy as a career.”
At South Dakota State University, Reuter is actively involved in the Students Collaboration for the Advancement and Promotion of Pharmacy (SCAPP) and participates in intramural sports. He says one of the things he enjoys most about SDSU is the supportive environment.
“The people and connections I’ve made have been great, and the professors are always willing to help students succeed,” he said.
Reuter currently works at Lewis Pharmacy in Sioux Falls, where he continues to gain valuable experience while pursuing his education. Following graduation, he hopes to continue his career with Lewis Pharmacy, preferably in the Sioux Falls area.
Receiving the Doris Garwood Pharmacy Scholarship will help ease the financial burden of pharmacy school and allow him to focus on his studies.
“This scholarship will help relieve financial stress and make it easier to focus on school,” said Reuter. “I’m very grateful to be selected and appreciate the support from the Madison Regional Health Foundation.”
The Doris Garwood Pharmacy Scholarship is a $1,000 annual scholarship awarded to a student who graduated from a high school within a 30-mile radius of Madison, South Dakota, has completed at least two years of college, and is accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited pharmacy program.
The scholarship was established by Wendell Garwood in memory of his wife, Doris Garwood, who passed away in 1988. Originally administered by the Madison Hospital Auxiliary, the scholarship has been awarded annually since 1989, helping aspiring pharmacists pursue their education and serve communities through quality healthcare. Today, the Madison Regional Health Foundation is honored to continue this lasting legacy by investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals.
To apply, students need to:
Complete the application form (PDF).
Write and submit a short essay regarding your education plans and career goals. Address how this scholarship would help you achieve your plans and goals.
Submit a current unofficial transcript.
The deadline for application is June 30. Applications can be mailed to:
Madison Regional Health Foundation
323 SW 10th St.
Madison, SD 57042
or emailed to scholarship@madisonhospital.com.
Questions? Please contact Stephen Klekas, Foundation Director, at 605-256-8817 or Stephen.Klekas@madisonhospital.com.
Upcoming Fundraising Events
For more information, click the button below!
The Gala
The Madison Regional Health Foundation’s annual event, The Gala, has served as the primary fundraiser for the Foundation for the past eight years. The 2025 event will be held on Friday, December 5th at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse.
Please click below for information about the 2025 event.
Donate to our Foundation
It is our Foundation’s job to inspire philanthropy – connecting and partnering with people like you who want to ensure that our community has quality healthcare close to home, and who are willing to support this cause. Thank you for believing that our mission of supporting access to quality healthcare close to home is important and worthy of your support. Every gift, large and small, makes a difference right here at our facility for people we care for, all thanks to selfless people, like you.
Building a Healthier Tomorrow: Capital Campaign
The Madison Regional Health Foundation was established to support the mission of Madison Regional Health System—to provide exceptional health and wellness services to the Madison area.
We are proud to launch our Capital Campaign: Building a Healthier Tomorrow. This campaign is focused on securing the resources needed today to ensure a healthier tomorrow for our community. Funds raised will support the purchase of advanced medical equipment, the development of new health programs, recruitment of skilled professionals, scholarships for future healthcare providers, and the continued growth of our endowment. A strong endowment ensures we can meet both current and future healthcare needs right here at home.
As healthcare continues to evolve with new innovations in diagnosis and treatment, Madison’s growing and diverse population requires flexible, forward-thinking care. The Madison Regional Health Foundation is committed to supporting these advancements through strategic investments—ensuring our health system remains responsive, resilient, and locally focused.
Every donation stays within our community and directly supports the people we serve. Your gift helps us fulfill our vision of meeting the ever-changing healthcare needs of Madison and the surrounding areas.
We invite you to become part of this vital campaign and join our incredible community of donors. If you have questions, would like to learn more, or want to schedule a tour or meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or email.
Together, let’s build a healthier tomorrow.
Stephen Klekas
Madison Regional Health Foundation
Executive Director
stephen.klekas@madisonhospital.com
605-256-8817
Legacy Donors
Legacy Donors are those who have donated $10,000 or more to the MRHF in the past 10 years. Madison Regional Health Foundation is grateful to the following donors for their unbelievable support.
Annual Giving
Annual Giving recognizes donors who have donated $500 or more to the MRHF in the past year. Madison Regional Health Foundation is grateful to the following donors for their unbelievable support.