The name of health care

COEUR d'ALENE - Lidwin "Lidwina" Dirne and Dick Smart would hate that there are now two signs bearing their names at Heritage Health.

During their time in Kootenai County it was never about them and always about the patients.

But it's because of their humility and dedication to providing compassionate health care to those in need that Heritage Health is what it is today, Heritage CEO Michael Baker said.

On Tuesday night, Baker and many others honored Dirne and Smart at the facility by dedicating wings of the building to them. According to Baker, it is through the efforts of individuals like Dirne and Smart that Heritage Health is able to provide access to health care to those in the county who either do not have insurance or cannot afford it.

Dirne, originally from the Netherlands, moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1971 to serve as director of religious education for the Catholic schools. Driven by her faith and commitment to the community, Dirne founded a community health center in 1985 where, according to Heritage Health, "no one would ever be denied the care and compassion they needed."

Since that day in 1985, what began as the Dirne Community Health Center grew and transformed into Heritage Health.

"Lidwin left her mark on thousands and thousands of lives," Baker said. "We are so fortunate to have had her in our lives and to be able to dedicate the facility in her name."

Smart was a longtime friend of Dirne and, as the need for dental services grew in the community, Dirne began referring more and more patients to Smart. When Heritage Health opened its own dental department in 2006, Smart was there to volunteer his services.

For years, according to Heritage Health, Smart dedicated his time, and sense of humor, to countless patients in need of affordable dental care.

"He was an amazing guy who would show up time and time again," Baker said. "It was more than just a dental visit for him. The patients really felt the compassion and a real connection with him."

Both Dirne and Smart have their photographs and brief biographies displayed in the medical and dental wings. For Baker, those photographs are a constant reminder of the foundation that made Heritage Health possible.

"I love that we have a place where we can reflect on the amazing people that brought us where we are today," Baker said. "We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to know these people and their memory will continue to live on."

During the dedication ceremony, several volunteers were also honored for their dedication and commitment to Heritage Health. Dave Valencia, who sits on the Heritage Health board of directors, gave out some of the awards. He said he is humbled by the compassion, warmth and humor those volunteers show patients on a daily basis.

"We all have one thing in common: our will to give to others," Valencia said. "We value your time and commitment to volunteer for this organization and for that we thank you."

Every year, Heritage Health presents a "Healthcare from the Heart" award to a volunteer who embodies the motto of Heritage Health. This year, Kathi Abate was the recipient of the award. In addition to donating her time as an ultrasound technician, Baker said, Abate was instrumental in the Convoy of Hope event, which provided everything from food to health screenings to those in the county in need.

"She injected another dose of hope into our community," Baker said of Abate. "We are blessed to have her with us."