Major gift enables creation of new Heart Center at Mercy

Hospital leaders describe estate gift as “transformational”

Mercy Medical Center today announced one of the largest single gifts in the hospital’s 121-year history. The donation was given to Mercy by the estate of the late Jewel and Jim Plumb of Cedar Rapids.

Jim, or “Jimmy” as he was known to many, passed away in 2004, and his wife, Jewel, passed in August 2019. Hospital leaders said their gift would support the development of Mercy’s new Heart Center, which was celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony today at its future site – the corner of 9th St. and 8th Ave. SE, directly across the street from Mercy’s Lundy Pavilion.

“This gift is transformational,” said Mercy President and CEO, Tim Charles. “It enables Mercy to start the next chapter in our heart program by advancing the level of heart care available in our community. I think Jewel and Jim would be happy to see the influence their generosity is having on our community and the benefits it will provide to its citizens.” 

“We are truly grateful for the Plumb’s generous gift; it is a milestone in Mercy’s history and builds upon the tremendous momentum of our heart program. Their commitment stems from being grateful patients and is truly remarkable,” said Lorrie Erusha, president of the Mercy Medical Center Foundation.

Jim’s dad, James F. Plumb, Sr., was the vice president and chief financial officer of Iowa Manufacturing and Iowa Steel from the time Howard Hall acquired them. James took Jim to the company on the weekends when Jim was four years old, and Jim actually started doing some work for the company at age 13. Jim became a graphic designer at Iowa Manufacturing and used his meticulous artistic skills to build the models of Iowa Manufacturing equipment, some of which are now housed at Brucemore. Jewel Plumb was more outgoing and loved to entertain guests in their Cedar Rapids home after they moved here in 1952. The family’s long-time attorney and close friend, Darrel Morf, spoke about the Plumbs at today’s ceremony, saying the couple was unassuming and quiet in their giving. They had an affinity for Mercy Medical Center because of the excellent care they both received there later in life.