Lawrence Memorial Hospital employee Lew Nolan receives an Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award during the LMH Endowment Association annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Maceli's. He is pictured with outgoing LMHEA board president Jeff Morrison, left, and incoming president Dr. Carla Phipps. by Karrey Britt
Lawrence Memorial Hospital leaders thanked individuals and businesses Thursday evening for their support by giving time and money during 2011.
“We had an excellent year in so many ways,” LMH President and CEO Gene Meyer said. “It was another year of construction, renovation and activity.”
He spoke to about 200 people during the annual LMH Endowment Association meeting at Maceli’s, 1031 N.H. in downtown Lawrence.
Meyer said LMH opened the Eudora Medical Plaza in April and recently finished renovating the hospital’s kitchen and dining area, but for him, the highlight in 2011 was celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Oncology Center in September.
“It was one of the most heart-warming and meaningful things that we could have ever done, and the neat part is that the Endowment Association is woven through every segment of the success that we’ve had with the oncology unit,” he said.
Meyer said the community has supported the Oncology Center through fundraisers big and small. He mentioned former Kansas University basketball standout Mario Chalmers who donated $25,000 to open a specialty shop for cancer patients. He also talked about patient Jamie Pursley, whose dying wish was to renovate the infusion rooms. After she died in March, her friends helped raise $130,000 to make her wish come true.
“Because of the generosity of our community and those who gave, we have a bright future,” he said.
In 2011, the Endowment Association transferred $2.2 million to the hospital, and that helped pay for equipment, services, medical education and research.
Here are some other ways the community supported LMH last year:
• 360 — golfers participated in the H.P. “Penny” Jones Golf Tournament on Sept. 9, raising $188,871.
• 750 — people attended the Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer dance, raising $71,283.
• 780 — LMH employees gave $60,000 through the Employee Giving Campaign.
• 222 — people participated in a “Small Town Big Cause” 5K run/walk last summer, raising $14,800. The event was held in Baldwin City, Tonganoxie and Eudora.
LMHEA also received its largest gift in history — $1.2 million — from a charitable remainder trust established by the late Karl and Una Kreider.
Kathy Clausing-Willis, LMH vice president and chief development officer, looked across the room and said, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. LMH wouldn’t be the outstanding hospital it is today without your support.”
Two individuals, two businesses and one LMH employee were honored with the coveted Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award. They were:
• Beverly Smith Billings, a former LMHEA board of directors president and member. She helped co-chair the LMH $8 million capital campaign and was instrumental in establishing the Bob Billings Cardiac Evaluation Center at LMH.
• Dianna Nelson, who volunteers 400 hours a year at the hospital. She trains new volunteers, helps organize the Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer dance and volunteers in Mario’s Closet, a specialty shop for cancer patients.
• Lew Nolan, who has volunteered at LMH for 20 years. A few years ago, he decided to apply for a job and now works in the LMH admissions department during the week and then volunteers on Saturdays, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
• Byrnes Pharmacy of Eudora and Criticare Home Health Services of Lawrence, for their support through donation of money and services.
Beverly Smith Billings, center, receives an Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award during the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Maceli's. She is pictured with outgoing LMHEA board president Jeff Morrison, left, and incoming president Dr. Carla Phipps. by Karrey Britt
Dianna Nelson, center, receives an Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award during the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Maceli's. She is pictured with outgoing LMHEA board president Jeff Morrison, left, and incoming president Dr. Carla Phipps. by Karrey Britt
Lori Heasty, owner of Criticare Home Health Services, receives an Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award during the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Maceli's. She is pictured with outgoing LMHEA board president Jeff Morrison, left, and incoming president Dr. Carla Phipps. by Karrey Britt
Pics of those at the event:
From left are Bob Bechtel, Rita Haugh and Margaret Gordon, all of Lawrence. by Karrey Britt
Longtime Lawrence residents Norman and Norma Leary attend Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association's annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Maceli's. by Karrey Britt
From left are Audrey Bishop, Garrett and Humbelina Harper and Faith Nilhas. by Karrey Britt
From left are: Peach and Ted Madl, Steve Edmonds and Marion Springer, all of Lawrence. by Karrey Britt
From left are Jon King, Dr. Marc Scarbrough and Dr. Traci Cuevas.
Sue Hill, left, and Lucy Smith, of Lawrence, were among about 200 people who attended LMHEA's annual meeting. by Karrey Britt
From left are Carl and Suzie Craig, Proctor Crow and Joleen Bechtel, all of Lawrence. They attended Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association's annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Maceli's. by Karrey Britt
Comments
mommatocharlie (anonymous) says…
Congratulations to Lew Nolan and Dianna Nelson. I am privileged to know these two wonderful caring people. LMHEA couldn't have made better choices!