Reba McEntire Renews Commitment to Texoma

McEntire began her association with Texoma Medical Center as a patient after a near fatal tour bus accident.

Commitment Initially Unclear

The story in the Summer 2008 issue of Texoma Living!, which offered the public the first glimpse at the plans and proposed development around the new TMC, suggested that a new Ranch House probably would be built near the hospital, but the ?probably? aspect of the project continued to loom large in the minds of many on both sides of the Red River.

Recently, the Texoma Health Foundation, the organization now responsible for the project announced that, yes indeed, a new Reba?s Ranch House will be built on a tract of land donated by Tom and Peggy Johnson located adjacent to the new hospital. Texoma Living! talked with Michelle Lemming, president and CEO of THF about the plans for the Ranch  House and THF.

?The Texoma Health Foundation is an outgrowth of the sale of TMC in 2007. The Foundation transitioned from a ?supporting foundation? created to raise funds in support of TMC, to a ?community public foundation? with a mission to improve the health of residents in THF?s service area, regardless of provider.,? said Lemming. It is a much broader scope and also includes grant-giving to other non-profits; all of which are new to the Foundation.

In addition, the Reba?s Ranch House was one of the assets received by THF in the sale. As a result, the new House will make a similar transition by expanding services historically supporting only TMC, to a hospitality house available to families of patients in any hospital in THF?s four-county service area. The broadening of services will result in a need for processes and increased communication with new partners.

$2.4 Million Dedicated to Ranch House Project

As with all programs received by THF, the Board took this new obligation seriously. With the responsibility for the property came questions. What resources is it going to take to manage the House indefinitely? Are the services the best use of funds and a priority need in the four counties (Grayson and Fannin in Texas, Bryan and Marshall in Oklahoma)? Is Reba still going to be involved? How much funding will be needed for construction and ongoing management of the House? Will there be funds for the new facility?

The THF devoted almost a year to answering these question to assure the success of the project. In October of 2008, THF concluded that the new House would, in fact, be built and agreed to allocate $2.4 million in new funds in order to make the project a reality.

Where It All Began

In 1985 Dr. Darrius Maggi, asked the singer to come to Denison and to help raise money for TMC. Reba agreed. After a few years, Reba was told of family members sleeping in hallways and waiting rooms in TMC with no place to stay. After more concerts and more fundraising made possible through numerous volunteers and local donors, the Ranch House opened in 1992.

?Through the years, the concerts benefited other projects as well,? said Lemming. ?There was fundraising to establish Reba?s Mobile Mammography Unit and Reba?s Rehab. Both programs are still supported by, and remained with TMC following the sale.?

Through all these changes, Reba could have easily made the decision to step away from the project and the new Foundation. But instead, the consistent message was how deeply Reba truly cared for people in the area and her connection to the first program developed through benefit concerts.

As a result, THF will break ground for the new Ranch House on May 23, with Reba turning over the first spade of earth. Lemming said that in addition, the THF Board created a voting seat on the Foundation. Her COO represents her on the board and has flown in for every meeting. He is a tremendous asset to THF and the connection allows Reba to be aware of and have input in all of THF projects, including the House,? said Lemming.

After the groundbreaking, THF will host a sponsor reception and on Sunday, May 25, will host the traditional Reba?s Charity Golf Classic at the Denison Country Club. Both events will support the capital campaign for the House.

The new Ranch House, revealed here for the first time, was designed by the Dallas based architect firm HKS at no charge to the Foundation. The design for the House includes twelve guest rooms with private baths, four more than the current facility, a kitchen, library, and courtyard garden. The kitchen offers space to prepare meals and serve meals provided by area churches. The facility will also house the offices of the Health Foundation. The Ranch House is scheduled to open in early spring of 2010.

Lemming said that THF is looking for additional donations and has set a goal of $1.5 million in donations of construction materials and furnishings for the new House; in addition to a monetary goal of $850,000, of which $198,497 has been raised through the 2007 and 2008 Memorial Day events.

The House would not be here without Reba, along with a long history of support of donors and volunteers. The legacy of the Reba?s Ranch House is a consistent focus and extremely important to THF. The Foundation is honored to be in a position to help continue the dream.