The grant is funded primarily by a donation of over $70,000 from the estate of Randall S. Scott and supplemented by the Endowment. It is named in honor of Randall, who specified that the money be for the benefit of the LC Medical Center. Linking that benefit and directly assisting local veterans and their families with out-of-pocket healthcare expenses was considered a natural fit by the Endowment Board in developing the fund idea.
Mike Harrington, Lake City Veterans Service Officer, said, “Randall Scott was a man of many talents and was loved in our community. We were all better off for knowing him. His final gift to us was to share with his Veteran friends and families. Thank you, R.S.!!”
Randall Scott and Lake City
Randall S. Scott, US Marine and Vietnam War veteran, had a keen eye for photography and music and a lifelong love of Lake City, as told in his story in the May 2, 2025 SILVER WORLD. He spent most of his life in Colorado and lived in Lake City during three periods starting in 1971. In 2024, Randall’s health began to decline due to Parkinson’s Disease. He later passed peacefully in 2025 at the San Luis Valley Veterans’ Home.
Randall served in the US Marine Corps 1967-1969 including service aboard the USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam War. For his service, he was awarded meritorious medals for Naval Accommodation, National Defense, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Caring People Inspired Desire to Give Back
Following his father’s death from Parkinsons, shortly after 2000, Scott also showed increasing signs of the progressive neurodegenerative disorder. As the symptoms worsened, local friends and caregivers included local residents Jesse and Beth Kendall and Josh and Amber Votruba.
As Randall’s need for care increased, then Lake City Veterans Service Officer Erin Cavit spent countless hours successfully advocating for him with the Veterans Administration (VA) for the medical care and benefits he deserved and needed.
He was grateful for all the help and attention from his friends, neighbors, and the Lake City Area Medical Center, which inspired his donation and the foundation for this grant.
Fund Beneficiaries and Benefits
Lake City veterans, spouses/partners, and dependent children may qualify for assistance under the grant program. Out-of-pocket expenses covered for veterans will include lab fees, one dental exam per year, and two dental cleanings per year. Spouses and dependent children living in the household will be eligible for insurance co-pays, one wellness exam per year, one dental exam per year, and two dental cleanings per year.
Beneficiaries must be Lake City residents or own property in Lake City. Dependent children attending a college or university away from home are covered. Qualified surviving spouses/partners may continue benefits not covered under other VA programs.
Expenses not covered under the grant are those eligible for coverage by the Veterans Administration, insurance, or other programs. Also not included are insurance deductibles, travel costs, and services not provided by the Lake City Area Medical Center or Dental Clinic.
Bernie Krystyniak, Endowment Board President, said, “When Beth Kendall came to us with the donation from Randall’s estate, the idea to use the money in a way to assist local veterans with healthcare not covered by other programs seemed a great way to honor Randall’s wish. It creates a legacy that gives back to Lake City and veterans for years to come.”
Fund Administration
The grant will be administered by the Lake Fork Health Service District, and services provided by the Lake City Area Medical Center and Dental Clinic. Appointments can be made with the clinic at 970.944.2331. Future coverage of out-of-pocket EMS and Lake City public health programs is also under consideration.
Veterans Look to Lake City Area Medical Center for Care
The Medical Center is pursuing standing designation as a qualified urgent care clinic for the VA. Until that designation is made, veterans may routinely obtain VA approval by phone for VA-covered services at the Lake City Area Medical Center. Additional information on that process is available from Mike Harrington, the Lake City Veterans Service Officer.
At the time of service at the medical center, veterans will be expected to provide sufficient identification of US military service. Also needed to qualify for grant benefits is evidence of Lake City residency, such as a government-issued photo ID or passport, or documentation that they own property within the boundaries of the Lake Fork Health Service District. The Health District includes the Lake City area but not all of Hinsdale County.
The LCMC Endowment Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) established in 1996 with the Mission of supporting quality health care delivery in Lake City through supported organizations Lake Fork Health Service District, Silver Thread Public Health District, and Hinsdale County EMS. More information can be found on their website at www.LCMCEndowmentFund.org.