Herbert and Karla Linkner - A Journey of Giving

In 2017, Herbert and Karla Linkner, inspired by the care Karla received at Trinity Health Ann Arbor, made a philanthropic gift to support the hospital’s infectious disease program. What began as a personal expression of gratitude blossomed into a true partnership.

“Karla slipped on the ice and cut her elbow,” Herb recalled of that first encounter. “We thought it was just a minor cut, but it turned out to be a gas-emitting infection that was very serious and threatened her arm and her life.” 

“We were extremely impressed by the collaboration of the team of 21 doctors who grasped the seriousness of the situation and immediately worked for a whole week until the infection was finally eliminated. We were very fortunate and thankful for this amazing team of doctors,” he continued. “This prompted our first donation to Trinity Health Ann Arbor.”

Another Exceptional Care Experience in 2019 

Just two years later, Herb became a cardiovascular patient at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. Following a trip to Iceland, Herb, a fit and very active person who had run 3-5 miles every single day for over 60 years, developed a limiting shoulder tightness. 

“We planned to see and hike to the top of every waterfall in Iceland,” he said. “But while we were hiking, I could not go my usual fast speed.” 

Once home, Karla made an appointment for Herb with Brian Bluhm, MD, Herb’s primary care doctor, which resulted in an immediate transfer to the emergency department (ED) at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. The team moved quickly to perform cardiac tests. Following many tests over the course of the next two days, with each test being immediately analyzed, significant blockages were found. Andrew Pruitt, MD, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, took the lead in Herb’s care plan and performed surgery early the next morning. 

After a very successful surgery, Herb meticulously followed Trinity Health Ann Arbor’s cardiac rehabilitation program that balanced exercise, Pritikin healthy eating, and yoga for stress management. The Linkners were again inspired to give back, this time to support cardiovascular services.

“We always ate healthy, but we made adjustments after my heart surgery from what I learned in cardiac rehab. We saw how important it is to be educated and follow good nutrition,” Herb explained. “Trinity Health Ann Arbor has an excellent Pritikin healthy eating and cooking program.”

Helping Others in Need 

Karla said, “We like to donate to programs that helped us, but we also to like to support programs that do not benefit us directly but help others in need.” That spirit inspired their next gift of a new hoop house to The Farm at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. 

“We have seen how vital healthy eating is to overall health,” said Herb. “Plus, we see what picky eaters children, and many adults, can be. So, we like that The Farm provides education to both kids and adults, provides food for those with food insecurities, and includes accessible paths and raised garden beds so there aren’t any barriers. These are so important for rehabilitation and restoring hope for those with disabilities and for veterans with PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]. We wanted to support all those.”

Strong Ties to Trinity and its Mission 

Early in 2024, the Linkners had another emergency care experience that got them thinking about patients’ families. 

“When you’re waiting with a family member, you need to remember to get your rest and take care of yourself, too,” said Karla. “Because you’ll need to have the energy to care for them at home and help them recover.”

This experience and realization inspired the gift of 21 new reclining chairs for the ED at Trinity Health Ann Arbor to help make emergency visits a little less traumatic and a little more comfortable for all. Reflecting on their giving over the years, Karla said, “When we first donated to the hospital, it was to thank our doctors and caregivers, we were just so grateful, but it also is important to us to feel like we have done something to help other people.” 

Herb added, “Trinity reaches out to and is interested in the well-being of the community – and we like that. We are impressed with Trinity Health as a whole. They offer so much for patients and staff and are an asset to the community. We feel fortunate to be able to contribute to many of Trinity’s programs.”

Herb Linkner, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and engineer, passed away on September 18, 2024, leaving a legacy of generosity, creativity, and dedication.