Kevin and Lorie Haarberg
Wonderful, friendly, supportive, caring, family. These are just a few of the words Kevin and Lorie Haarberg use to describe the community of Woodland. Residents for over 35 years, the Haarbergs have contributed hands-on service and given generously to improve Woodland Healthcare.
A financial advisor, Kevin was inspired to join the Woodland Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees in 2012, saying, “I had heard from my clients about the great care and lifesaving events provided by the hospital and clinics.” After serving as Board Chair from 2017—2019, he recently volunteered to serve in this important leadership role for a second term. As the current Chair, Kevin is energized and focused, helping guide the Foundation’s exciting vision for the future.
“I’m a big believer in leading by example—so I am rolling up my sleeves and working to further Woodland Healthcare Foundation’s mission and vision to invest in technology and bring in more advanced equipment to serve patients.” He adds, “We’re so fortunate to have this phenomenal facility right in our backyard. It’s more than a community hospital—it’s family.”
Lorie demonstrates her commitment to community through her volunteerism with the Woodland Healthcare Auxiliary, to which she has donated her time, energy, and steadfast support for 35 years, including 12 years serving on the Board and four as President. In addition to Auxiliary volunteers operating the hospital Gift Shop and Information Desk, they assist patients and their families in several departments, participate in fundraising activities, and support the mission of Woodland Memorial Hospital in many other ways.
“I love to help,” says Lorie. “The Auxiliary runs the No One Dies Alone Program where a group of us take shifts and stay with patients as they pass. I’m honored to be a part of that.” Lorie also spends a great deal of her volunteer time in the Emergency Department, sharing, “Lending comfort and support—especially to family members—helps during a stressful and uncertain time.”
Over the past three decades, the Haarbergs have generously donated to a breadth of Woodland Healthcare Foundation initiatives, including those for the Oncology Department, Imaging & Surgical Services, Family Birth Center, Emergency Department, and many more. “We give to where the greatest needs are, and where we think our gift will have the most impact and make a meaningful difference.”
Their connection to Woodland Healthcare is not only through volunteerism, service and philanthropy—Kevin is a very grateful patient. “Seven years ago, I spent 16 days in Woodland Memorial Hospital because of an illness. That really opened my eyes to the spectacular people working there and the dedicated and world-class care they deliver.”
More recently, Kevin suffered a massive heart attack, and credits the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) for saving his life. “I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with unbelievable pain in my shoulder and took some ibuprofen. Later that morning, at the advice of staff at my office, I went to the ED. As they treated me, I asked, ‘Are you checking to see if I had a heart attack?’ The doctor replied, ‘Mr. Haarberg, you are having a heart attack.’”Kevin continues, “I walked in the ED at 7:00 a.m., was in an ambulance by 7:45, and on the operating table at 9:30 at Mercy General Hospital for specialized surgery. Undoubtedly, the Woodland ED team kept me alive.”
The Haarbergs feel deeply grateful for high-quality local care that is part of the overall, larger Dignity Health network, which allowed Kevin to access specialized cardiac care so quickly.
Lorie shares her gratitude, “All of the nurses were wonderful—they were so quick, so caring, so genuine.”
Kevin is now participating in cardiac rehabilitation at Woodland Memorial Hospital, and describes it as a phenomenal program, and jokes, “I’ve done enough personal research to know how amazing Woodland Healthcare is. Now, I’m going to avoid having more medical episodes.”
Kevin underscores the importance of philanthropy in maintaining Woodland Healthcare’s margin of excellence, saying, “We need the community’s generous help. As a non-profit, the hospital and clinics can’t fund it all. Providing new programs, equipment and technology has a very real and meaningful impact for people in our community.”
Reflecting on the Woodland community, Kevin says, “The amount of care that people demonstrated when I had my heart attack was humbling. Everybody says they’re a community. But Woodland practices being a community.”
Lorie and Kevin, through your outstanding service and steadfast generosity, you are improving the health of people in our community. We are indebted to you and deeply grateful for your humankindness!