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Washington Evening Journal
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HCHC Dialysis Unit receives memorial gift
Founding physician’s family makes donation in his memory
MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Health Center’s Southeastern Renal Dialysis Unit received a memorial gift in honor of founding physician Harold “Pete” Rankin.
Rankin’s wife Janis and their three daughters, Dr. Lynn Rankin, Cynthia Rauschert, and Laura Bickle, donated to Southeastern Renal Dialysis and the HCHC Foundation in his honor.
According to the news release, Rankin fostered a team spirit for dialysis care and treasured the relationships with patients and staff. Many lives changed thanks to his efforts.
The beloved Harold “Pete” Rankin passed away on Aug. 4, 2022, but many will remembered him as a pioneer in this specialty and a driving force in the Mt. Pleasant community.
Pete left a significant impact on the Mt. Pleasant community, and this memorial gift will continue that impact.
The donation made by Harold Rankin’s family will benefit the Dialysis Center and the needs of the HCHC foundation.
Southeastern Renal Dialysis also will continue a Festival of Lights display thanks to this generosity in honor this noteworthy doctor’s honor.
According to a news release from the Dialysis Clinic, while Southeastern Renal Dialysis began as a corporation in April of 1997, Pete Rankin made significant contribution to its creation well before then.
With the help of local Rotarians championing a community fund drive, the beginnings of this clinic go all the way back to 1969.
The Rotarians raised enough funds to purchase a dialysis machine to help a local teenage boy receive therapy in Mt. Pleasant.
As the founding physician, Rankin served as the Medical Director of this center for 22 years.
He spent a number of years involved with the Kidney Foundation, serving as President of the National Kidney Foundation of Iowa from 1979-1981.
In 2003, the Kidney Foundation bestowed Rankin with the honor of Medical Advisory Board Person of the Year.
From that one dialysis machine in 1969, Southeastern Renal Dialysis now serves 5 communities and nearly 200 patients.
Before, local patients used to travel hundreds of miles to reach a facility that was able to provide dialysis services.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
Harold “Pete” Rankin’s wife Jan Rankin (left), presents a gift in his memory to Southeastern Renal Dialysis Administrator Mary Liechty (right). (Photo Submitted)
