Community members gathered on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Jefferson Community Health & Life to celebrate an important milestone in advancing rural healthcare. The open house and check presentation recognized fundraising efforts to bring the THINK Surgical TMINI® robotic system to the hospital, helping make advanced orthopedic care more accessible to patients in the region.
WATCH | Video of check presentation
Heartland Bank partnered with Jefferson Community Health & Life to support the initiative with a $50,000 matching grant, helping accelerate the hospital’s efforts to invest in innovative surgical technology. The project represents a significant step forward in bringing leading-edge medical care closer to home for rural patients.
READ MORE | Jefferson Community Health & Life and Heartland Bank partner to advance rural healthcare
The event began with a brief check presentation and remarks from JCH&L CEO Holly Wolff, MHA, LNHA, FACHE, and Heartland Bank Vice President and General Counsel Lucas Swartzendruber, JD, CTFA, who both shared their appreciation for the community’s support and commitment to improving healthcare in the region.
"First off, just saying 'thank you' to Heartland Bank," said Wolff. "We've been community partners since we opened in 1963; definitely a long-standing partnership. And I'm very pleased to announce that we did meet our goal of the $50,000."
Attendees also had the opportunity to see the TMINI robotic system up close and learn more about how the technology will support advanced knee replacement surgeries at JCH&L.
"Heartland Bank is very thrilled just to be involved with this process and in the fundraising effort," said Swartzendruber. "This is exactly the type of project we want to be involved in."
"We are the first hospital in the Midwest with the latest technology," remarked Wolff. "We feel like the future of surgery is here at JCH&L."
The celebration highlighted the power of community partnership and the shared commitment to strengthening rural healthcare. With the support of local organizations and the generosity of community members, JCH&L continues to expand access to high-quality medical care close to home.
Heartland Bank Vice President and Fairbury Branch President Mike Gaston said he's proud of his hometown, and is thankful for the opportunity to invest in his community. "Being a native of Fairbury, I definitely recognize the importance of local investment into our healthcare, and Jefferson Community Health & Life obviously provides wonderful services for us here and surrounding communities. It's very important to me that it continues on throughout my lifetime and my family's lifetime."
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