About the Foundation

Our Foundation Mission

The Mary Greeley Foundation supports the mission of Mary Greeley Medical Center through philanthropy and engagement.

Our Medical Center Mission

To advance health through specialized care and personal touch.

An Inspiring Act of Generosity 

Captain Wallace Greeley built the hospital in memory of his beloved wife Mary and gave it to the City of Ames. Since opening in 1916, Mary Greeley Medical Center has provided generations of central Iowans with accessible, high quality health care.

The hospital has grown with the region. This growth has been made possible by the generosity of donors who have followed Captain Greeley’s moving example.

Gifts to the Mary Greeley Foundation improve lives and communities. They impact all aspects of our patient care. They fund opportunities for hospital staff to advance their skills. They support programs that encourage healthy lifestyles. They support the medical center’s mission to take care of the whole patient.

Captain Greeley’s dream was that the hospital named for his wife would provide help and hope for people for many, many years. Gifts to Mary Greeley Medical Center help ensure that dream continues to be a reality.

Foundation Board of Directors

Board members pictured are - Back row: Brian Dieter, John Russell, Austin Woodin, Dan Sargent, Warren Madden, Michael Kitchell 
Front row: Marian Olive, Suzy Shierholz, Sarah Buck, Ellen Rasmussen, JaNelle Anderson
Not Pictured: L. Shane Hopkins, Tom Johnson, DVM, Neal Loes, Randi Peters, Melissa Rowan

2018-2019 Foundation Annual Report

View the Annual Report

Foundation Staff

Melissa McGarry, Foundation Executive Director
Email: mcgarry@mgmc.com
515-239-2180

Melissa McGarry has served as the Executive Director of the Mary Greeley Foundation since June 2008. In addition to providing leadership for the Mary Greeley Foundation, she oversees the Mary Greeley Auxiliary, Volunteer Services, the Gift Shop, Older Adult Services (Prime Time Alive) and the Art Program. She has nearly 25 years of fundraising and marketing experience, most recently with the Iowa State Center and the ISU Foundation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Iowa. She is a member of the Association of Healthcare Professionals, Foundation Professionals of Iowa Hospitals, Rotary Club of Ames and the Story County Alliance for Philanthropy. She currently serves on the Rotary Club of Ames board and is a mentor for the Iowa State University Non-Profit Protégé Program.

Kelly Bergquist, Executive & Development Assistant
Email: Bergquist@MGMC.COM
515-239-2147

Kelly Bergquist joined the Mary Greeley Foundation team in March 2020 and serves as the Executive and Development Assistant. Before her work at Mary Greeley, Bergquist spent 14 years in the direct-selling industry. Prior to that, she was part of the Development team at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Bartlesville, OK.

Rita Gilbertson, Senior Development and Planned Giving Officer
Email: gilbertson@mgmc.com
515-239-2421

Rita Gilbertson joined the staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center in December 2016 as a Senior Development and Planned Giving Officer. She has nearly 25 years of fundraising experience in higher education and healthcare, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Waldorf University, Forest City, IA and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Gilbertson is a member of the Association of Healthcare Professionals, the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council and the Rotary Club of Ames.

Mercedes McCay-Read, Database and Research Specialist
Email: mccayread@mgmc.com
515-239-2066

Mercedes McCay-Read has been with the Mary Greeley Foundation since November 2014 and is the Database and Research Specialist. She earned her Professional Certification in Raiser’s Edge in December 2016. Prior to taking on this role in August 2016, she was the Executive Assistant for the Foundation. Before her work at Mary Greeley, McCay-Read spent 15 years in the construction industry. She graduated from Arizona State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in business.

Angie Weeks, Annual Giving Coordinator
Email: weeks@mgmc.com
515-239-2420

Angie Weeks joined the Mary Greeley Foundation team as the Annual Giving Coordinator in August 2017. Before joining the foundation she worked six years as the Event and Sales Coordinator at the Iowa State Center. Weeks received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business from William Penn University. She is a current member of Heartland Meeting Planners International (MPI) and volunteers with the Ballard Education Foundation in Huxley as the events co-chair.