Jolana Montgomery-Matney has served as director of the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation for nearly 23 years. She is preparing to retire, effective April 1st.
During a retirement reception for Montgomery-Matney Tuesday evening at the Courtyard by Marriott Geary County Convention Center, David Lauseng. who was involved in the interview and hiring of Jolana for the job, noted that during her tenure in addition to covering operating expenses she raised and donated $8.9 million dollars. $8.4 million of that total went to Geary Community Hospital and the remainder to other medical related projects in the community.
Lauseng remembered during the hiring process nearly 23 years ago one applicant came forward with the necessary enthusiasm and energy, “and a plan to make this work. Those key ingredients combined with her natural well-honed social skills made her an obvious choice to lead this foundation.
Montgomery-Matney advised those attending the reception to remember the last four letters of the word enthusiasm. “I am sold myself. Those words have been my guide, and they’ve made all of this possible. ” Jolana had one request for the audience. “Over the years you have asked a lot of me. But tonight I ask but one thing of you. Please, promise me…promise me that you will continue the support for this hospital and the healthcare foundation.” Montgomery-Matney received a standing ovation following her remarks.
There were multiple speakers during the reception including Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson, who said looking back at the support by the Foundation for the community, automatic external defibrillators are in all Junction City public buildings. “We have programs, we have equipment to make that difference. And through your drive in the Foundation you’ve allowed our emergency medical technicians, our firefighters to have the tools they need to make that difference. ”
Montgomery-Matney was presented with multiple plaques and honors during the reception. Other speakers included the Chair of the Geary Community Hospital Trustees, Mark Stenstrom; Geary Community Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton; the Vice President of the Central National Bank Trust Department, Duane Blythe; the Chief Nursing Officer at Geary Community Hospital Dawn Engel; USD 475 Director of Innovation, Mary Cay Stauffer; retired doctor and Hospital Trustee, John Kovac and Junction City Manager and Healthcare Foundation Board member Allen Dinkel.
Earlier Tuesday at the monthly Geary Community Hospital Board of Trustees meeting, Montgomery-Matney was honored by the Board and staff, and presented with a plaque recognizing her service for the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation.
