HURON — Dakotaland Federal Credit Union (DFCU) recently presented a $10,000 contribution to the Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC) Foundation for the expansion of dialysis services in Huron. 

The donation was made in memory of former DFCU board member, Paul Aylward. 

Aylward previously served on the HRMC board of directors during his tenure as mayor of Huron and was a proponent of expanding and sustaining the accessibility of quality medical care in the community. Upon facing medical challenges, Aylward personally experienced the need for dialysis during the winter of 2022, however, the unit at HRMC was at capacity, requiring him to travel three times per week for his 3.5 hour dialysis treatments.

When the current HRMC board of directors made the determination to expand dialysis services in Huron with a $2.45 million relocation and renovation in November of 2022, Aylward made a commitment to help. He joined a special capital campaign committee of the HRMC Foundation to raise funds to support the expansion, on which he served until his death in January of 2023.

The HRMC dialysis expansion is on track to open to patients soon and is located at 142 Third Street SE. The new location will provide more convenient access for dialysis patients, who receive treatment three times per week. The renovated unit has been expanded to twelve treatment chairs, up from seven in the current unit, increasing the capacity for providing the service locally.

“The board made this contribution in memory of Paul to support this important service in our community and in appreciation of Paul’s dedication to Dakotaland as a board member,” says Ryan Goehner, CPA, president and CEO for DFCU. DFCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative and full service financial institution, governed by a seven-member board of directors.

If you are interested in supporting the HRMC Foundation’s dialysis capital campaign, please contact HRMC Foundation executive director, Levi Kary at 605-353-6319 or [email protected].