Gordy and Dr. Rita Simon have been married nearly 50 years and have spent much of that time appreciating the quality of life they found in the Chippewa Valley, where they raised their children, Phillip and Kira.

The couple moved to the area after Rita completed her family practice residency in St. Paul. Gordy had been working for 3M and moved his business finance, research, and development work to 3M's Menomonie location.

Dr. Simon set up her new, full-spectrum family practice with Family Health Associates and was the first female physician in the area. This attracted many women from Chippewa Falls and the surrounding area to her obstetrics services in particular, punctuating the indispensable need for access to health care in a rural setting.

Rita had privileges at St. Joseph's Hospital for 15 years and served in various roles such as president of the medical staff, chairperson of the family practice department, and co-medical director of the hospice program. After becoming the associate director of the former Community Health Partnership, Inc. in Eau Claire, Rita maintained ties to the hospital, serving on the leadership council.

"We were devastated by the announcement of the HSHS closings," said Rita. "It's not only a loss of desperately needed health services, but a loss of a culture and the mission. They took everybody regardless of ability to pay. They took care of people like Jesus would take care of them."

Early on, the Simons had established a fund with the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, contributing to it for decades. Their fund was being used for new projects, such as a mobile mammogram unit to create more availability for breast screenings for women. They were relieved to know their fund can continue to support local health care projects through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, and remain active in advocating for access to quality health care in Wisconsin.

"It's important to us that the money can be utilized by people making reasonable decisions about where it goes," said Gordy. "There is so much need."