VA ANN ARBOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HOLDS DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR FISHER HOUSE
PRESS RELEASE
September 23, 2022
Ann Arbor , MI — VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) on Friday held the dedication ceremony for the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House. The Fisher House was dedicated to America’s service men and women and their loved ones.
The Fisher House provides bedrooms, kitchen, dining and family rooms, laundry and outdoor patio space to Veterans and their families who are receiving extended care at VAAAHS. Since opening in June 2020, the 16-suite, 13,000+ sq.-ft. ‘comfort home’ has housed over 6,000 individual guests from more than 11 different states, saving Veteran and Military families over $1.2 million in lodging costs.
VAAAHS Medical Center Director Ginny Creasman was joined by U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell and Fisher House Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher at the Dedication. Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McCloughan also made remarks and presented a plaque from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
"The Fisher House has exceeded all our expectations since it’s opening,” said Dr. Creasman. “The convenience, healing atmosphere, and proximity to the medical center allows us to meet the needs of our Veterans and caregivers by reducing the overall stress and burden an extended stay at a hospital may bring. It is our honor to be able to provide this ‘home away from home’ while Veterans receive health care with us.”
“Fisher House Foundation is honored to bring this first house to Michigan,” said Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation Ken Fisher. “This house, in Ann Arbor, has already shown how critical the need is for our military and veteran community. We are grateful to such a supportive community that helped to make this Fisher House possible.”
“Many patients receiving care at the VA are far away from their homes, and we know that the support of loved ones can be the best medicine. I have been working for Ann Arbor and Detroit to have Fisher House since the day I walked into Congress. This fulfills a long-held dream and a lot of hard work by so many, and now we have one down and one to go,” said U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell. “Fisher House makes a difference for countless families and patients during some of the most difficult times in their lives, and I will continue to serve as a champion in Congress for their important work.”
The Ann Arbor Fisher House was the first to be opened in the state of Michigan. Planning and development of a second Fisher House near the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit is currently underway. Local fundraising efforts to support the construction and operations of both Fisher Houses are organized by Fisher House Michigan.
“Michiganders are pouring their hearts into this mission. We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of donors from all 83 Michigan counties,” said Fisher House Michigan President Mark Palmucci. “Each family staying in this ‘brick-and-mortar support system’ heals along with their Veteran. We can’t wait to expand access to this invaluable resource for more Veteran families with a Fisher House in Detroit.”
Fisher House Foundation proudly recognizes the generosity of the following contributors for their extraordinary support of our military and veteran families: Fisher House Michigan; Anonymous; Masco Corporation; the MacLeod Family; the Weiser Family; American Legion Department of Michigan Family; Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation; CAPT Victor & Mrs. Carol Palmucci, USN (Ret); In memory of Scott Freestone & Ron Arenas; Specialist Matthew T. Drake, US Army, Iraq; Steven Tallman; CPT Arthur J. Holst; Patton's 3rd Army, 1943-1946; Erwin Prieskorn American Legion Post 46; First Nation Group; Kerri Childress; Mark Palmucci & Beryl Needham; Members of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor; Members of UAW Local 900; Old National Bank; Richard & Jean Schmidt; Robert W. (Fletch) Fletcher; Spartan Capital Veterans Family Support Fund; Stutzmann-Moore Wealth Management; the Trinity Charitable Fund; University of Michigan - Michigan Medicine; Vehicles for Veterans; Vietnam Veterans of Michigan; and the many gifts of a grateful nation.
