Pella and Knoxville Hospitals Recognize $100,000 Donation from Leighton State Bank

The contribution will help fund a new radiation oncology center serving south central Iowa.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 7:29pm

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Pella Regional Health Center and Knoxville Hospital & Clinics have recognized Leighton State Bank for their $100,000 donation to the Bridging the Gap Campaign. The funds will help construct a new $14.3 million radiation oncology center that will improve cancer care access for residents in the region.

Why it matters

The new radiation center will bring essential cancer treatment services closer to home for patients in Marion County and surrounding communities, reducing the need for travel to distant facilities. The collaboration between the two hospitals demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare access in south central Iowa.

The details

The 7,800-square-foot radiation oncology center will house advanced diagnostic and treatment technology, including a linear accelerator for precise radiation therapy and a PET/CT scanner for cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Leighton State Bank, a locally-based community bank, saw the project as a natural way to support the communities it serves.

  • The radiation center is expected to be completed in early 2027.
  • The Bridging the Gap Campaign is currently underway to raise funds for the project.

The players

Pella Regional Health Center

A healthcare provider serving Pella, Iowa and the surrounding region.

Knoxville Hospital & Clinics

A healthcare provider serving Knoxville, Iowa and the surrounding region.

Leighton State Bank

A locally-based community bank serving Knoxville, Pella, and the surrounding area in south central Iowa.

Katrina Nelson

Director of Public Relations & Foundation at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics.

Steve Fopma

President & CEO of Leighton State Bank.

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What they’re saying

“This gift is more than a financial contribution – it's a commitment of hope for the future of cancer care in south central Iowa. We are deeply thankful to Leighton State Bank for their trust and support in our mission to provide access to essential radiation therapy for our patients and their families close to home.”

— Katrina Nelson, Director of Public Relations & Foundation, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics

“It is inspiring to see the collaboration between two communities and two hospitals working to provide a convenient venue for treating a disease that has impacted nearly everyone in some way. As a locally based community bank serving Knoxville, Pella, and the surrounding area, support for this collaborative effort is a natural extension of what we do daily to advance our communities – we are honored and enthused to support this effort.”

— Steve Fopma, President & CEO, Leighton State Bank

“Leighton State Bank's support of this project means a great deal to us. Serving multiple locations in Marion County, it is clear that Leighton State Bank is a true community bank. They see the blessings and benefits that this project will bring to their own customers, employees and families and were genuinely eager to do what they could to help bring this great project to fruition. We cannot say thank you enough.”

— Jenny Hesseltine, Pella Regional Health Center Foundation Coordinator

What’s next

The South Central Iowa Radiation Center is projected to cost $14.3 million, with the majority of funding to be raised through the Bridging the Gap Campaign led by the hospital foundations of Pella Regional Health Center and Knoxville Hospital & Clinics.

The takeaway

This collaboration between two healthcare providers in south central Iowa demonstrates a commitment to improving cancer care access and bringing essential services closer to home for patients in the region. The support from a local community bank like Leighton State Bank highlights the importance of community partnerships in advancing critical healthcare initiatives.