Floyd County
Medical Center
Preserving Rural Cancer Care for Generations to Come
Floyd County Medical Center
Preserving Rural Cancer Care for Generations to Come
The Pivotal Moment
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A years-long legal battle threatened a transformational charitable gift that would preserve local cancer care access for rural Iowa families
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BrownWinick helped Floyd County Medical Center defend the donor’s wishes through trial and ultimately before the Iowa Supreme Court
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The victory secured nearly $12 million to fund the future Stille Cancer Center, allowing more rural patients to receive cancer treatment closer to home
The Challenge
For more than five years, a legal battle over one Iowa farmer’s final wishes carried implications far beyond the courtroom.
At stake was the future of cancer care access for rural Iowans.
Floyd County Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital serving Charles City and surrounding communities, engaged BrownWinick in 2020 to help defend a transformational charitable gift left by longtime area farmer Herman Stille.
What followed was years of complex litigation. Mayo Clinic challenged whether the hospital could fulfill the conditions outlined in Stille’s will, arguing the estate should transfer elsewhere.
After trial proceedings and an appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court, the court ultimately ruled in favor of Floyd County Medical Center in May 2026, securing nearly $12 million to fund the future Stille Cancer Center.
The Impact
- Treatment and infusion spaces
- Onsite pharmacy services
- Family support areas
- Expanded patient resources
BrownWinick's Role
BrownWinick helped guide Floyd County Medical Center through trial proceedings and ultimately defended the outcome before the Iowa Supreme Court.
The result reflects the firm’s ability to navigate complex, high-stakes matters while helping mission-driven organizations protect their futures.
“This case was never just about litigation. It was about protecting access to care for rural Iowa families and honoring a donor’s vision for his community.”
— Jen Lindberg, Member Attorney, BrownWinick
The Bigger Picture
BrownWinick attorneys helped guide the hospital through trial proceedings and ultimately defended the outcome before the Iowa Supreme Court. The result reflects the firm’s ability to navigate complex, emotionally significant disputes while helping mission-driven organizations protect their futures.
The case also underscores a broader truth about rural healthcare: access matters. And in this instance, a legal victory became a catalyst for long-term community impact.