Instruments of Mercy

2025 Instruments of Mercy Awardees

Gilead Circle

Recognizing benefactors who have transformed MercyOne Central Iowa through lifetime giving reaching $500,000 or more.

Dr. Dale and Marie Andres
Dr. Matt and Terri Andres

The Andres family has a history of giving back that spans three generations and has made a transformative impact on our community. Their family’s support can be seen in nearly every area within MercyOne, including the Richard Deming Cancer Center, House of Mercy, Mercy College of Health Sciences, and more. Their generosity has touched countless lives and families at both MercyOne Central Iowa and MercyOne North Iowa.

Dr. Dale Andres started working for MercyOne North Iowa in 1989. In 2005, Dale came to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center as the Chief of Pathology and then added the role of Chief Medical Officer in 2008 until his retirement from MercyOne in 2014.

Today, Dr. Matt Andres continues in his father’s footsteps as the Chief of Pathology at MercyOne. Matt is proud to carry on his father’s legacy, leading a team that is inspired to give back to the medical facilities they serve throughout MercyOne, impacting rural and regional areas as well as Des Moines.

The roots of the family’s philanthropy run deep. Dale and his wife, Marie, believe that learning to give back starts with the family you grew up in. Dale and Marie modeled the importance of generosity and volunteerism. Marie volunteered to lead the Crystal Ball fundraiser in Mason City and served on the MercyOne Des Moines Auxiliary Board. She and Dale also served as co-chairs of the 2014 MercyOne House of Mercy Game Show Gala.  

Matt and Terri continue that philosophy with their own children. So much so, that their son, Connor, decided to host a lemonade stand to benefit MercyOne Children’s Hospital. Their generosity spans three generations, a legacy of giving that continues to inspire us all. To learn more about the Andres Family and the meaningful impact of their philanthropy, we invite you to view their full story in this video.

Joyce and Terry Lillis

We honor two individuals whose unwavering dedication has significantly shaped the future of health care in our community: Joyce and Terry Lillis. When they first moved to Des Moines, Joyce began her journey as a nurse at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, all while pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing from Drake University. Her passion for patient care led her to a variety of roles, culminating in her leadership as the director of Mercy Home Care, where she ensured a high quality of care was maintained by over one hundred health care professionals.

Driven by an understanding of the vital role an education from Mercy College of Health Sciences plays, Joyce and Terry established the Joyce E. Lillis Endowed Nursing Scholarship in 2016 to support aspiring nurses. This act of generosity brought Joyce to join the Mercy College of Health Sciences Board of Directors, where her leadership and vision have been invaluable. Joyce currently serves as Board Chair. Terry served on MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center’s Board from 2015 to 2024, dedicated to fulfilling MercyOne’s mission.  

Their commitment to student success reached new heights as founding members of the 1899 Society at Mercy College of Health Sciences, a giving circle recognizing donors at the $25,000 and above level. The immense success of the 1899 Society ultimately led to the launch of the Legacy of Faith Campaign for the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing thanks to their lead gift of $2.5 million. Beyond their passion for Mercy College, Joyce and Terry have been generous in their support of the Richard Deming Cancer Center and the Comfort Health Center for Women. We celebrate Joyce and Terry Lillis, whose legacy will empower generations of compassionate nurses for years to come. To learn more about Joyce and Terry Lillis and the meaningful impact of their philanthropy, we invite you to view their full story in this video.

Caritas Award

Recognizing a volunteer who embodies the term “Caritas,” meaning charity and love of humankind.

Kelly Bucher

Kelly Bucher’s generosity is a heartfelt reflection of her character and a lifelong philosophy of giving back, represented by the Caritas award. Guided by the simple lesson to “do what you can to help others,” Kelly’s compassionate spirit was shaped from a young age. This belief in making a tangible difference led her to MercyOne Des Moines Foundation, where she has been a valued Board Member since 2018 and served as Board Chair in 2021.

Her commitment to the most vulnerable in our community is driven by a deep appreciation for the work done at MercyOne and its affiliates. Her generosity has touched nearly every aspect of MercyOne; the Ronald McDonald House, the Richard Deming Cancer Center, Mercy College, the Simulation Lab Campaign, House of Mercy, and more. House of Mercy holds a special place in her heart, as she believes true impact comes from helping someone simply get through their day. Her affinity for House of Mercy led Kelly and her husband, James, to serve as co-chairs for the 2025 MercyOne House of Mercy Game Show Gala raising more than $457,000.

Kelly and her family understand that not everyone’s journey is the same. Their goal is to make life easier for those on a more difficult path. Her compassionate heart is a legacy she models for her three young daughters, teaching them to appreciate what they have and to always share what they are able. For Kelly, it’s about paying it forward and ensuring that everyone feels supported. Her passion for helping others is a powerful force for good in our community. To learn more about Kelly Bucher and the meaningful impact of her philanthropy, we invite you to view her full story in this video.

Legacy Award

Recognizing a supporter whose generosity has had a meaningful impact on MercyOne and inspires others.

The John and Barbara Graham Family

For more than 45 years, the Graham family has been a cornerstone of support for MercyOne Central Iowa, blending business acumen with heartfelt philanthropy. John Graham, founder of The Graham Group and Graham Construction, and his wife, Barbara, instilled the value of giving back within their businesses and their children. The family and their businesses have championed numerous initiatives that have shaped the future of health care at MercyOne Central Iowa.

John Graham joined the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Board in the early 1980s at the request of Sister Patricia Clare Sullivan. From there, The Graham Group played a pivotal role in the development of key historic MercyOne facilities, including the original MercyOne Health Plaza, the MercyOne Clive Health Plaza and many more. The Graham Group and Graham Construction have touched nearly every wall of MercyOne Des Moines to this day.  

Through personal contributions and leadership, the Grahams have supported transformative projects such as the renovation of MercyOne Children’s Hospital, the Sullivan Center at Mercy College, the Comfort Health Center for Women, and the Richard Deming Cancer Center. Most recently their legacy carries on with the support of the current Legacy of Faith Capital Campaign for the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing.  

John and Barbara’s values were rooted in hard work, honesty, and gratitude. These values carry through and are instilled in their daughters and their business to this day. The Graham family’s enduring commitment to MercyOne reflects a deep belief in building a healthier, more compassionate future for all. To learn more about the John and Barbara Graham Family and the meaningful impact of their philanthropy, we invite you to view their full story in this video.

Corporate Parner Award

Recognizing a generous organization for outstanding collaboration and strategic contributions in support MercyOne

Community Choice Credit Union

Community Choice Credit Union's partnership with MercyOne Central Iowa spans more than 15 years, a relationship that began when Des Moines Mercy Credit Union joined with Community Choice in 2006.

This long-standing bond goes far beyond a simple affiliation. In 2010, Community Choice partnered with MercyOne Des Moines Foundation to expand the Employee Relief Fund, providing a vital safety net for colleagues facing hardship. This led to the creation of the Remarkable Mercy Experience Fund in 2018, launched with a generous $50,000 gift from Community Choice. This fund ensures that our nurses have the resources they need to care for patients, without spending their own money on essential items.  

Their dedication to our nurses is evident in their generous sponsorship of MercyOne Central Iowa Nurses Week, a weeklong celebration for nurses. Community Choice also supports future health care workers at Mercy College by providing coffee carts during the school year for students.

Community Choice has also provided vital support to House of Mercy for many years. They were the Presenting Sponsor of the Game Show Gala from 2022 to 2024 and were instrumental to the success of the record breaking 2023 Game Show Gala, raising over $526,000 for House of Mercy.

The partnership between MercyOne and Community Choice Credit Union fosters a mission of helping those most vulnerable and creating positive experiences for our community. We honor Community Choice Credit Union, whose support enriches the lives of our colleagues and those we serve every single day.  To learn more about Community Choice Credit Union and the meaningful impact of their philanthropy, we invite you to view their full story in this video.