Message: I never imagined what the future held
Published at 8:30pm Tuesday, January 2, 2024
From 2004 to 2008, I spent day and night in Albert Lea managing the first (successful) capital campaign for Albert Lea Medical Center (ALMC). It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. First, gain employee interest and cooperation when a recent survey showed severely low morale. But the majority of them joined our efforts and made generous contributions.
Second, I formed a D.C. Campaign Council of many respected community members. I soon learned that there were ambiguous feelings for Mayo Clinic and that the love for Naeve Hospital ran very deep.
I have been fundraising politically for many years, but this was my first capital campaign with a goal of $4.5 million. It was also the first year the community met ALMC's new CEO who assured me that “we'll figure it out together.” And we did it.
My years at Albert Lea created many close friendships that I value and maintain to this day. Just looking at the beautiful medical center that our efforts have produced makes me very happy. However, this seems to be just a shadow of what I left in 2008, and it is very difficult for me to understand it. As a former state senator, I have traveled the challenging path of rural health care for many years and am keenly aware of the problems this path presents. But it's hard to reconcile investing millions in a facility and then not fully utilizing it to its full potential.
I'm in love with Albert Lee and visit often, and when I do, I'm always afraid I'll bump into those loyal supporters who took my call for donations and gave so generously! I hope they never feel like I misled them because I had complete faith in upgrading their beautiful medical center and could never have imagined what the future held.
Betty Soukup
Retired Iowa State Senator
Clear lake
