Bob and Mary Ritz have been passionate about supporting healthcare and the community for decades, viewing charitable giving not just as an act but as a reflection of one's deepest values and how those values align with areas of need. Quietly, they like to help others in whatever form that may be. Their profound belief in the mission of MercyOne inspires not only their personal generosity but also their leadership in encouraging others to join the "crusade of charitable giving." For Bob and Mary, philanthropy is rooted in the relationships they feel strongly about – schools, church, MercyOne, and other causes, particularly mental health and youth.
When asked about the value of philanthropy in a leadership role, Bob Ritz, MercyOne President and CEO, emphasizes that the spirit of giving is inherent, not just transactional: "Philanthropy, in my mind, is something you have within you." I think philanthropy is a way of showing what you care about in life. As someone who’s in a leadership role, part of our responsibility is to be a symbol of what we want others to follow. It’s not the dollars but the spirit of wanting to give to help others which is what philanthropy is for me."
Bob sees the work of healthcare professionals—colleagues, doctors, and volunteers—as an inherent form of philanthropy, as they dedicate their lives to helping others. He strives to embody that same commitment as a leader in finding quiet ways to help others.
The Ritz’s decision to give back is deeply rooted in a personal conviction and their professional connection to healthcare. “We always like to give back to areas that are important to us,” said Mary. “We give to a need because we get far more in return knowing our small gift helped someone.”
Their support is comprehensive, reflecting a broad passion for helping others across various crucial services. They have dedicated their resources to multiple areas at MercyOne, including the Richard Deming Cancer Center, MercyOne House of Mercy, and Mercy College of Health Sciences. “We have a great passion for helping others, we try to help when we can,” shared Bob and Mary. “The only reward we want is to help others.”
The ultimate impact Bob and Mary hope their philanthropy will have is to inspire a collective commitment among the entire MercyOne community. They look to the Sisters of Mercy, the founders of the organization whose lives were dedicated to selfless service, as their foundational inspiration. “I hope that other members of MercyOne’s leadership team and our MercyOne community want to do their part too, whatever they can and feel strongly about. Giving takes on different forms – money, time, support, etc.” Bob said.
They hope to encourage every individual—from leaders to team members—to embrace the joy and purpose of giving this holiday season. Bob believes the reason to give is simple and fundamental: "Because it’s the right thing to do. To me, that’s what philanthropy is all about. It’s not about the dollars, it’s not about making the last gift. It’s because inside each individual who gives, it makes them feel like they are doing something to help someone in need. Christmas is a great time of year to give if you can, to help others have a better Christmas.”
Visit https://www.mercyone.org/desmoinesfoundation/give to make a gift today.
