​June 1, 2017 - MARYSVILLE, OH   Honda of America Mfg., Inc. today announced a $1.8 million total charitable donation to three local community hospitals.  The commitment includes $600,000 each to Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney and Memorial Hospital of Union County in Marysville.   Mary Rutan Hospital will utilize this award in support of the new 74,200 square foot Mary Rutan Health Center, to be located in the heart of Logan County.  The facility will house the community’s first fully integrated, one stop Urgent Care facility.  The new Health Center will also be the home of expanded rehabilitation services, including the addition of a temperature controlled therapy pool, new sports medicine facility and corporate health services. A third floor will be constructed to allow future organizational growth to meet the health and wellness needs of the community.    The new facility will allow Mary Rutan Hospital to address the unmet need in services and improved access to care for the residents of Logan County.   In addition, the physical location selected for the new Health Center enhances future economic development opportunities for Logan County. Honda has supported Mary Rutan Hospital for more than 25 years with past projects including major gifts for the emergency department renovation and expansion. “Mary Rutan Hospital is sincerely grateful for the generous support provided by Honda of America, Mfg., Inc. We are honored and thankful for the continued support and commitment to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve shown by Honda and its associates, said Mandy Goble, President and CEO of Mary Rutan Hospital.  This lead gift of $600,000 provided by Honda of America Mfg., Inc. will make a lasting impression on our community for many years to come.  Their commitment demonstrates the support that is essential to bring continued ecomomic growth to our community.”  Memorial Health will utilize this award toward its Memorial 2020 project, a $50 million expansion and renovation project at its main campus, scheduled for ground breaking later this year.  Planned to transform the way care is delivered, the Memorial 2020 project involves construction of new inpatient and outpatient pavilions, giving the community the comfort, convenience, and privacy they deserve. While no tax dollars will be used to fund the project, support from the community is essential.

 “We can no longer meet the needs and expectations of modern healthcare patients while delivering services in a facility designed in 1950,” remarks Chip Hubbs, Memorial Health President/CEO. “We have grown and increased sophistication such that facility upgrades are necessary to serve the region. We honor our friends at Honda for their generous contribution which will help us provide our patients with the experience and efficiency that a modernization and renovation project will provide.”  Honda has supported Memorial Health for over 30 years with past projects including support for its obstetrics unit and emergency department. “By supporting programs and efforts our associates are passionate about, Honda strives to make a positive impact in communities where our associates live,” said Executive Director of the Honda of America Foundation, Bobbie Trittschuh.  “Our goal is that for generations to come these donations enhance the quality of life in the three counties where our plants are located.” Honda’s philanthropy program has been a catalyst for positive change throughout the region. Through grants, sponsorships, deeds and actions, Honda strives to lift up those in need, advance the importance of education and safeguard the world we live in for future generations. Since 1979 when Honda’s Ohio operations began, Honda of America has contributed more than $58 million in charitable support to fund community-based projects in our Ohio communities.  Combined with associate donations and in-kind donations of products or services, Honda’s charitable impact in Ohio now exceeds $96 million.