Birgit Klohs recalls July 1996 with the vibrant imagery one holds for their favorite memories. She was in her office at The Right Place, her professional home since 1987, an organization dedicated to retaining, creating, and attracting businesses and investment to West Michigan.
The workday was interrupted by a call from board member David Van Andel, who had news to share: His family was opening a new biomedical research facility in Michigan, and it would call Grand Rapids home.
“In that moment I knew a new industry was about to ignite,” Klohs said. “We had a lot of work ahead of us, but this was a tremendous opportunity for economic development and to diversify the region’s business base.”
Thirty years later, the once-nascent Van Andel Institute sits at the core of a continuously growing Medical Mile — Grand Rapids’ hub of medicine, research and education. Klohs is immensely proud of the Institute’s success, with particular fondness for the effort and passion required to build it.
In the early days, nearly everyone who heard about VAI said it could not work. The doubters were relentless: There was no medical school and no scientific community. At this point, not even a building existed. And Grand Rapids? That’s flyover country.
“It felt like everyone, and I mean everyone, thought the Institute and our hopes for the region were crazy dreams,” Klohs said. “Of course, that didn’t stop Jay and Betty Van Andel: They were from Grand Rapids, they believed in the region and they were set on making things happen right here.
This was a familiar refrain to Klohs. While leading The Right Place, she heard similar doubts about West Michigan. Economic development and bringing fresh talent to the region was a challenge, but that’s what made it worthwhile.
“We had to punch above our weight, get people’s attention,” Klohs said.
The persistence paid off. Once people got to Grand Rapids, they began to share in the positive vision for the region’s future. Scientists heard what was happening, and the opportunities at VAI drew world-class professionals to the community. A new business sector was being developed in the city.
Klohs retired from The Right Place in 2021, after 33 years of building on the vision for economic development created by Jay Van Andel and the first Board of the Right Place. During her time, the organization collaborated with state, local and business leaders to create more than $5 billion in economic investment in the region and generate more than 47,000 jobs. She believes more growth is possible, supporting and donating to various opportunities and organizations throughout the region, including VAI.
“There is immense global talent that comes to Grand Rapids, now to the Institute and the other institutions on the Medical Mile,” Klohs said. “We are no longer flyover territory.”
Klohs is constantly looking for ways to give back. As a longtime supporter of the Institute, she sees her gifts in support of biomedical research and science education as an investment in the future. She is particularly keen on Alzheimer’s research at the Institute. Her mom suffered from the illness for over ten years. She’s recently began giving through her IRA and encourages everyone to support VAI and other causes in Grand Rapids to continue elevating the city.
“This is a great place to live,” Klohs said. “We love it here. All the things we enjoy doing are right here, and I continue to do everything I can to make sure people know how wonderful this city truly is.”
Support VAI through your IRA
Did you know that gifting your IRA minimum distribution allows you to donate the full amount, tax-free?
People 70 1/2 or older may gift directly from their IRA to VAI without having to pay income tax on the money.
“It’s really a simple way to donate, and I see it as an investment in the future of better health,” Klohs said.
To learn more, please contact Philanthropy Director Kate Frillmann at 616.234.5515 or [email protected].