Remembering Dr. Anthony Van Grouw, Jr.

Anthony Van Grouw Jr., MD, passed away on December 5, 2024. Dr. Van Grouw served an integral role in our organization’s history and graced us with his decades-long commitment to our mission and vision. We are so thankful for the way the Lord used him, as a man with a steadfast commitment to our Christian and Reformed traditions, exceptional ethical standards, and deep compassion for his family and community.

Dr. Van Grouw’s board service stretched an amazing 36 years, from 1976 to 2012, including nine years as board chair, after which he was named chair emeritus. He also served as a member of our medical staff until his retirement, when he received emeritus status.

As a board member and board chair, Dr. Van Grouw significantly affected the expansion of Christian Health’s reach in our community, including the addition of important new services, such as our short-term rehabilitation program. We are so thankful for his many years of dedicated service, his faithful leadership, and his steadfast admirable devotion to the Lord, which all furthered our ability to heal, nurture, and inspire so many.

“During Dr. Van Grouw’s board tenure, Christian Health’s scope and outreach grew in many directions,” said Douglas Struyk, CPA, LNHA, Christian Health CEO Emeritus. “That growth wasn’t just in size, but perhaps more importantly within the commitment to our culture and values. For him, it was always central to remain true to the guiding Christian principles upon which we were founded.”

Dedication to Christian Health and our mission is woven into Dr. Van Grouw’s family history – his father, Anthony Van Grouw, Sr., served on our board as secretary for an impressive 28 years, his grandfather also served as a trustee, and his grandmother was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary. Dr. Van Grouw’s son, David, also serves now as a dedicated and highly valued leader on our Christian Health Plant Operations and Maintenance team.

The Van Grouw name remains cherished for the future, as well. Van Grouw Road runs through our Wyckoff campus as a constant reminder of the family’s impact. And in 2018, we established the Van Grouw Award for Clinical and Mission Excellence, to recognize deserving individuals who capture the spirit of their legacy in fulfilling our mission and vision.