Tracy Pardy to lead Horizon’s Foundation and Fundraising Efforts
(HOWARD, SD) – For the past thirty-nine years, Horizon Health Care, Inc. (Horizon) has been providing high-quality health care to the medically indigent or medically underserved populations of South Dakota. As health care technology and funding needs continue to evolve, Horizon is pleased to announce the formation of the Horizon Health Foundation and the appointment of Tracy Pardy as Foundation Director.
Evolving from a group of concerned citizens in five local communities, Horizon has grown to serve the medical and dental health care needs of South Dakotans by means of 80,000 patient visits throughout its 24 medical and dental clinics. As Horizon has progressed, the Horizon Board of Directors have been reviewing the feasibility of forming a foundation to assist the organization in raising funds that will enhance the mission to “provide personalized, affordable, high-quality primary health care through a rural community-based network in South Dakota.”
The Horizon Health Foundation will be a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that will raise money to support Horizon facilities and patients. “With 53% of Horizon’s total patients with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, we recognize there is a high need for financial assistance in the communities we serve,” said John Mengenhausen, Horizon CEO. “We have been quite successful in past years securing grants from outside sources to assist in everything from purchasing equipment to providing financial support for our patients who are unable to afford healthcare for themselves or their family. However, we feel that now is the time to build a self-sustaining and growing foundation that is focused on the next phase of health care and that will provide additional assistance.”
Growing up in a rural South Dakota community herself, Pardy will oversee all policies, objectives, and initiatives regarding the Horizon Health Foundation to maximize funding and develop goals and strategies for all fundraising campaigns. With over fifteen years of fundraising experience, Horizon will depend on Pardy to bring her leadership and expertise in fundraising and program development to the mix. “We are excited to have Tracy join our team and know that there are a number of opportunities for success and growth in our communities with her on board,” said Mengenhausen. “We realize that the formation of a foundation is not something that will happen overnight, but we do believe that establishing the foundation will help to ensure that health care remains in our rural communities for many years to come.”
Pardy received her degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University and has served as the Foundation Director at Avera Queen of Peace Foundation in Mitchell, SD, for over four years. Prior to that, she was employed at the Dakota State University Foundation in various roles, her most recent being Capital Campaign Director and Development Officer. “I believe in the mission of Horizon Health Care, Inc. and am excited to have the opportunity to serve our patients, neighbors, and friends throughout the rural 26,000 mile footprint,” said Pardy. “I understand how philanthropy can make a difference in people’s lives, as it has personally made a difference in mine when I was a child utilizing Shriner’s Hospital for care. I am looking forward to meeting the people in our communities and discussing the many ways we will together make a difference.”
Pardy resides in Howard, SD, with her husband, Pat Pardy; son, Tucker; and step-children, Nick, Kayla, and Zach.
For over 39 years, Horizon Health Care, Inc. has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and mental health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 83,000 patient visits annually in 24 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River and Woonsocket. For more information please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.