Tim Carlson Gives Back to Brookings Health System Foundation

  • February 19, 2018

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Left to right: Tim's father (Mel Carlson), Tim's mother, Tim

February is American Heart Month designated to remind Americans about the importance of their heart health and raise awareness about heart disease.

Last February, Canadian Pacific (CP) asked its employees to share their heart stories for a chance to be featured on CP Station and receive a $2,500 donation made by CP on their behalf to the heart charity of their choice. The top four stories were chosen with a total of $10,000 donated by CP.  

“CP Has Heart” is a community investment program that focuses on generating greater awareness about the importance of heart health. Its mission is to improve heart health of men, women and children in communities across North America. Since 2014, CP has helped raise more than $12 million for prevention programs, medical equipment and research.

Tim Carlson, Brookings native and project manager at CP, has been with the company for over 27 years.  He shared his personal heart story and was selected as a finalist of this competition. He named Brookings Health System Foundation as his charity of choice and recipient of CP’s $2,500 charitable donation for heart month.

“The doctors and nurses at Brookings Hospital did such an exceptional job taking care of my mom, I didn’t think I had any other place to donate the money except back to Brookings.”

Carlson’s mom was in the nursing home attached to Brookings Hospital before passing away from cancer. But, it was actually his dad who inspired him to share his story.

“The year was 1990. I called my dad that evening as he was scheduled for a stress test, which monitors heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing while walking on a treadmill, at the hospital the next day. He told me not to worry and he’d call me the next day. I never got that call. He had a heart attack and died on the treadmill taking the stress test.”

Carlson currently resides in Madison Lake, MN but still has close connections with Brookings Health System; some of which include the birthplace of his son, his sister-in-law, Lynn Carlson, works there as a pharmacist  and Dr. Ellsworth continues to be his primary care provider making Brookings Health System close to his heart.

“I still consider Brookings home.  Brookings Health System is a great place for your health care needs.”   

Brookings Health System Foundation was formed to support Brookings Health System through philanthropic programs including financial assistance for those in need, support for on-going staff education, and upgrades to facilities, equipment and technology. For more information, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/Foundation.

About Brookings Health System Foundation

The mission of Brookings Health System Foundation is “Inspiring people to support Brookings Health System through philanthropy, recognizing the vital role of local healthcare in sustaining quality of life in our community.” Gifts to the Foundation support charity health care for those less fortunate, health and wellness education, facility, equipment, and technology upgrades and other needs as they arise at Brookings Health System. For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation or how you may contribute, please contact Foundation Director Sara Schneider at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, a 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, Arlington Medical Center and White Medical Clinic. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.