Box Butte Health Foundation Director Brooke Shelmadine growing programs
Box Butte Health Foundation Director Brooke Shelmadine
Box Butte Health Foundation (BBHF) Director Brooke Shelmadine has been instrumental in growing BBHF in a number of ways since coming on board at Box Butte General Hospital in August of 2011. “We’ve really grown our programming and diversified our fundraising,” she said.
One of the first things she and the board did was to establish an endowment as a fundraising tool for BBHF. “We established the endowment in partnership with the Nebraska Community Foundation as part of a challenge grant from Mr. Dennis Berens,” Ms. Shelmadine said. “As part of our endowment programming, we solicit estate planning gifts. Some of the vehicles that donors have used are gifts of life insurance and a charitable remainder trust. With a life insurance gift, someone designates the foundation as the beneficiary of their life insurance policy. With a charitable remainder trust, the property is donated to the foundation, but the donor continues to receive income while they are living.”
Another program she is working on is the silent phase of the BBHF Capital Campaign to raise money for the renovation and expansion of The Rehab & Wellness Center. “We’ve been working on the silent phase for several months now and have more solicitations to make before we will transition to the public phase of the campaign,” she said. “So far we’ve received positive responses in our lead gift solicitations and grant requests. We hope for more good news in the months ahead. I’m very excited about our progress. The campaign has been a big part of my job these past two years.” The Capital Campaign goal is to raise a total of $1.4 million.
Ms. Shelmadine has a law degree, and as such she also provides consultations about employee law when necessary. “When the need arises, I help with contract review or the development of policy and procedures.”
A major part of her duties at BBGH includes alternative dispute resolution. “When you have an organization as large as Box Butte General Hospital, conflict does occur. Conflict, when handled carefully, is actually a positive and necessary part of an organization’s growth,” Ms. Shelmadine said. “I’m trained in mediation and love helping employees deal positively with conflict. Alternative dispute resolution works hand in hand with our Human Resources Department and our Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) program.”
She is one of several TeamSTEPPS Master trainers who train new employees each quarter on how to use the TeamSTEPPS tools. “We also act as coaches when needed. It’s not uncommon to have someone come into my office and say, ‘Here’s the problem I’m having. How do I resolve it?’ And I’ll give suggestions on what TeamSTEPPS tool would be best in resolving that issue.”
BBHF has also become the umbrella agency for the popular Jane’s Closet organization as well as CFO Bridget Miller’s Imagination Library program.
Besides being an integral part of the BBGH community, Ms. Shelmadine is also active outside the organization. “My husband and I are also the AHS Booster Club presidents,” she said. “We enjoy helping raise funds for school activity needs.”
Ms. Shelmadine and her husband Tim have four children: An AHS Senior, a sophomore, a three year old and a six month old. Tim sells crop insurance for Gregory’s Insurance.
Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
