Corporate Corner
Security Bank & Trust Co.
Meet Your Local Bank
What inspired you to give to Ridgeview Foundation and why is supporting local health care important to you or your organization?
Security Bank & Trust Company has always operated on a simple idea: when our communities are strong, we are strong. Ridgeview is the kind of institution that strength runs through. The people who walk into Ridgeview are our customers, our neighbors, and our own families. A community bank that doesn’t show up for the institutions taking care of those people isn’t really doing the job. We are proud to be a long-term partner of the Ridgeview Foundation through many gifts of our and our team's time, treasure, and talent.
Share a meaningful moment you've had with Ridgeview.
Being part of the communities Ridgeview serves, we’ve experienced so many meaningful moments over the years. We’ve had employees sitting in ER rooms, welcoming new babies, supporting loved ones through surgeries, and walking through difficult diagnoses and cancer treatments. In both the joyful moments and the really hard ones, Ridgeview has been there for our people.
One of our employees shared, “My best friend had both of her babies at Ridgeview, and every time I’ve visited, we end up talking about what an incredible experience it was. There’s just something about the labor and delivery department; it feels so calm and peaceful, which makes those moments with loved ones even more special. Hearing about her experience has even helped me decide to have my own baby at Ridgeview.”
These aren’t distant stories; they’re our coworkers, our customers, our neighbors, and our families. It’s where we go when we need help, when we’re growing our families, and when we’re working to heal and move forward. Seeing that level of care and support up close is what makes this so personal to us and why continuing to support Ridgeview matters.
Why is it important to keep health care close to home?
Most hospitals in this country are now owned by systems headquartered somewhere else. Ridgeview is one of the rare independent regional health systems left in Minnesota that is locally governed, locally accountable, and locally rooted. This kind of independence is harder to keep than it is to lose. When it’s gone, the decisions about your community’s care get made by people who’ve never set foot in it. Keeping Ridgeview strong is keeping those decisions local. That’s the cause and that’s why we keep showing up.
South Valley Anesthesiologists, PA
Meet Dr. Cody Honl, Director of Anesthesia
Why is supporting local health care important to South Valley Anesthesiologist, PA?
Our team of Anesthesiologists have been heavily involved with Ridgeview Hospital and Ridgeview Foundation for many years. Our goal as a group has always been to give back locally to improve the organization within which we work, and the community we serve. We have seen the continued growth of the community around us and know that our charitable contributions can help our hospital grow with the community.
Why is it important to keep health care close to home?
Our Anesthesiologists are always looking to stay up to date and advance our practice as time progresses. Along with that, our hospital system is constantly looking to advance. It has been very important to us to see our hospital advance and contributions to the Ridgeview Foundation have helped us to see those changes occur at a faster pace. Every year we get to see our donations go to changes within the hospital that are helping Ridgeview to stay on the leading edge of health care. It has been amazing to see our small hospital grow and advance through time.
iSpace Environments
Meet Dustin Benz, President of iSpace Environments
Why is supporting local health care important to iSpace?
At iSPACE Environments, we strongly believe that our Partnership over the years aligns with our company’s core values. Ridgeview’s commitment to caring for people close to home deeply aligns with our values as an organization rooted in the communities we serve. Supporting Ridgeview Foundation is a way for us to invest not just in health care, but in the wellbeing of families, employees, and neighbors who rely on Ridgeview every day. When local health systems thrive, communities thrive — and that’s something we’re proud to support.
Share a meaningful moment you've had with Ridgeview.
What continues to affirm our commitment is the people. Through my involvement with the board and participation in Ridgeview Foundation events, I’ve seen firsthand the passion, collaboration, and genuine care that goes into advancing Ridgeview’s mission. The shared dedication among staff, physicians, volunteers, and supporters to continuously improve care for the community reinforces that this is an organization making a real and lasting impact. Additionally, the Ridgeview Foundation staff is so welcoming and amazing to work side by side with- you make it fun- and most importantly very rewarding to be part of something that truly makes a difference. Being an active participant in many of your events means the world to me personally.
Why is it important to keep health care close to home?
Local health care matters because it touches everyone at some point in their lives. Supporting Ridgeview means ensuring that high‑quality, compassionate care remains accessible today and for generations to come. Keeping “here” healthy isn’t just about treatment — it’s about prevention, innovation, and community connection. We’re honored to play a small role in helping Ridgeview continue that important work.
Lakeview Clinic, Ltd.
Meet Medical Director of Operations, Dr. Tara McMichael & Medical Doctor, Spencer Ferrell
Why is supporting local health care important to Lakeview Clinic?
Lakeview has been a long-time supporter of Ridgeview Foundation because supporting local health care is deeply important to us as both medical providers and members of the communities we serve. Lakeview physicians regularly work with Ridgeview in a variety of roles including conducting patient rounds, utilizing the operating rooms for surgeries, delivering babies at the Ridgeview Birthing Center & NICU, and serving on a variety of medical committees. Having access to this advanced level of care within our community makes an incredible difference for families during some of their most critical moments.
We are truly thankful to have Ridgeview in our communities. The Foundation’s important work helps ensure that top-tier care will remain accessible for years to come, and we are honored to play a part in supporting that mission.
—Dr. McMichael
Share a meaningful moment you've had with Ridgeview.
Dr. Spencer Ferrell, who recently joined Lakeview Clinic’s OB/GYN team, shared glowing feedback about the exceptional care at Ridgeview which reinforces our decision to support the foundation.
"I am so impressed with the mission for patient care by the staff in my early start in Waconia. When I moved to Minnesota in late fall and began performing deliveries and surgeries I was struck by the "Minnesota-nice" and personable approach in the community. From environmental services, support staff, nursing, and physicians I notice the attention each person gives to one another and patients. As we pass in the hallway, I see each person greeting one another and making the shared space welcoming for patients. The warm kindness given to patients, especially in the delivery room, embodies the emphasis on patient care. I think this philosophy is essential to good medicine and it is clear Ridgeview makes it a priority."
—Dr. Ferrell
Why is it important to keep health care close to home?
We believe everyone deserves easy access to high quality health care. Having robust health care systems right within our communities has always been a priority that Lakeview shares with Ridgeview. It is a key reason we’ve continued to support the foundation all these years.
—Dr. McMichael
Melchert Hubert Sjodin, PLLP
Ridgeview Legal Counsel
Meet Mike Melchert, Attorney, and his wife, Pam
Mike, tell us about your work with Ridgeview.
I have provided legal services to Ridgeview for more than 30 years. During that time, I have worked closely with Ridgeview as it expanded from a single hospital in Waconia to a regional health care system that now includes three hospitals and multiple clinics. In addition to my legal work for Ridgeview, I have also had the pleasure of assisting Ridgeview Foundation. My wife, Pam, has supported the Foundation by providing committee work and hands-on help at the annual Ridgeview Golf Event in Waconia.
Why is supporting local health care important to you and Pam?
Through my work with health care organizations, I have seen medical services pulled away from many communities. Having high-quality care available close to home is both a convenience and, at times, lifesaving. Ridgeview has long prioritized maintaining its independent status and keeping health care services local for the communities it serves. That commitment is especially meaningful to Pam and me. Our home is in Waconia, our daughters were born at Ridgeview less than two miles away, and we continue to rely on Ridgeview’s broad range of local services. In fact, we have never needed to travel outside of Ridgeview’s service area to receive health care – a true blessing!
For most people, the Ridgeview experience centers on the care they receive. I would also like to recognize the business side of the organization. Behind the scenes, both Ridgeview and Ridgeview Foundation are supported by talented, dedicated professionals who ensure that operations run smoothly and that Ridgeview is well-positioned for the future. Both Pam and I are confident that Ridgeview will continue to provide exceptional local health care for many years to come.
