Local Family to Sponsor Employee Wellness Space at Floyd County Medical Center
Brady and Emily Garden of Charles City have announced that they will sponsor the addition of an employee wellbeing space inside Floyd County Medical Center’s (FCMC) new three-story clinic.
The Lilly Garden Wellness Area – named in honor of the couple’s daughter, Lillian “Lilly” Garden – will serve as a quiet, peaceful refuge for all FCMC team members.
The inspiration behind the wellness space goes back to October 11, 2024, the day of Lilly’s birth at FCMC. However, what should have been a moment of joy suddenly became a frightening ordeal when baby Lilly was born unresponsive and not breathing.
The birth center team – led by Janean Wedeking, jumped swiftly into action, with more than 30 team members responding. After Lilly was stabilized, she was transported by helicopter to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for continued care. Today, Lilly is thriving with no residual health issues.
Emily Garden says, “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the team who saved her. Lilly’s birth wasn’t what we envisioned, but it was the best outcome for the situation. I can’t imagine having a better medical team than we did that day.”
As Lily approaches her first birthday, and to let all the FCMC team members who cared for Lilly know that the Garden family would always remember them, the Gardens made the announcement of the new wellbeing space on September 29th.
Emily Garden says, “We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Lilly’s first year of life than by thanking and honoring the people who made it possible.
The wellness area will open and be available for FCMC staff when the new clinic debuts in the spring/summer of 2026.
***Read more about the Garden’s experience with the press release below from FCMC:
Local Family to Sponsor an Employee Wellness Space at FCMC
Brady and Emily Garden of Charles City have announced that they will sponsor the addition of an employee wellbeing space inside Floyd County Medical Center’s (FCMC) burgeoning three-story clinic.
Located on the bottom floor of the new facility, the Lilly Garden Wellness Area – named in honor of the couple’s daughter, Lillian “Lilly” Garden – will serve as a quiet, peaceful refuge for all FCMC team members. Soothing colors and artwork, comfortable furniture, an alcove for snacks and beverages, and an outside mural will create an environment that promotes selfcare and wellbeing for
staff.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Lilly’s first year of life than by thanking and honoring the people who made it possible,” Emily shared.
The inspiration behind the wellness space goes back to October 11, 2024, the day of Lilly’s birth at FCMC. As new parents, Brady and Emily were eagerly looking forward to meeting their first child.
However, what should have been a moment of joy suddenly became a frightening ordeal when baby Lilly was born unresponsive and not breathing.
Despite this unexpected and surreal development, the birth center team – led by Janean Wedeking, DO, IBCLC, NABBLM-C – jumped swiftly into action. They called for a code blue, alerting all available healthcare staff to assist. More than 30 team members responded and were ready to help however they could. While the majority of staff focused on stabilizing Lilly, Danielle Wadsworth, ARNP, CNM comforted the young couple, anxious about their newborn daughter.
“I will never forget when Danielle came into the room,” Emily recalled. “While everybody was taking care of Lilly, Danielle remained calm, reassuring Brady and I that everything was
going to be ok.”
After Lilly was stabilized, she was transported by helicopter to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for continued care.
Today, Lilly is thriving with no residual health issues. Her parents describe her as a sweetheart who loves to giggle and crawl (often very fast).
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the team who saved her,” Emily said. “Lilly’s birth wasn’t what we envisioned, but it was the best outcome for the situation. I can’t imagine having a better medical team than we did that day.”
Now as Lilly approaches her first birthday, Brady and Emily wanted to do something special to let all the FCMC team members who cared for Lilly know that the Garden family would always remember them. On Monday, September 29, 2025, the Gardens surprised Dr. Wedeking and Danielle – as well as Judi Halbach, ARNP, CNM who cared for Emily during her pregnancy – with the new space under construction.
“We appreciate the work of the FCMC staff so much. That’s why we decided to donate the funds to create a safe haven for them,” Emily explained. “During difficult or hectic days at
the hospital, they can come to this room and find some peace.”
Dawnett Willis, MBA, FACHE, chief executive officer at FCMC, has been working with Brady and Emily to bring their vision for the wellness space to life.
“We are so grateful to the Gardens for their generosity and support of our team members,” she said. “Healthcare is both a demanding and immensely rewarding vocation. Lilly’s story is a
beautiful testimony of that fact. The Lilly Garden Wellness Area will enable our staff to receive the selfcare they need to better serve our patients. FCMC is thrilled to have this
space in honor of Lilly and the team members who cared for her.”
The wellness area will open and be available for FCMC staff to use when the new clinic debuts in the spring/summer of 2026.
Brady and Emily are excited that the wellness area will tell the story of their daughter to the staff at FCMC for generations to come.
