Hospital association gives its highest honor to LMH president
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
The Kansas Hospital Association has announced it is giving the Charles S. Billings Award to Gene Meyer, president and CEO of Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
The Billings Award, named after the association’s first president, recognizes distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the field of health care in Kansas.
Gene Meyer is president and chief executive officer of Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Meyer is the 37th recipient of the award, and he will receive it on Sept. 10 at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Wichita.
Meyer, who took over the leadership position at LMH in 1997, announced on Aug. 19 that he would be retiring from the hospital in May 2016. During his tenure at LMH, he has overseen patient visits grow from 85,000 in 1997 to more than 211,000 in 2014. The hospital has expanded its services and significantly increased its endowment.
“Gene's service to his hospital, his community, the state and the Kansas Hospital Association show how very deserving he is of this award,” said Tom Bell, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association, in a press release.
The LMH Board of Trustees has begun the process of searching for Meyer’s successor.
KHA Announcement
President's Perspective - Congratulations Gene Meyer,
Recipient of the 2015 KHA Billings Award
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It's my pleasure to announce that this year's recipient of the Charles S. Billings Award is Gene Meyer, president and CEO of Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The Charles S. Billings Award was created in 1971 to recognize distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the field of health care in Kansas. We reserve this award for those who have truly shown their commitment, leadership and dedication to that noble pursuit. Gene has certainly demonstrated these qualities during his devoted health care career.
Gene Meyer, whose 35 years of health care experience belies his youthful looks, has been in a leadership role serving Kansas hospitals for 20 years. Before joining Lawrence Memorial Hospital as president and CEO in 1997, he served as senior executive officer for Saint Luke's South in suburban Kansas City and was responsible for the planning, construction and medical staff development of the $65 million, 75-bed hospital.
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After joining LMH, Gene led expansion efforts of patient care services and facilities to better meet the community's health care needs. Under Gene's leadership, total patient visits have grown from nearly 85,000 in 1997 to more than 211,000 last year. Gene has steered LMH as it has expanded services and broadened its regional presence. With the support of the community, Gene's tenure has seen the LMH Endowment Association grow its endowment funds from $1.9 to $11 million as it has transferred more than $23 million to LMH. In addition to being named to numerous "top hospital" lists, LMH has an outstanding A1 credit rating with Moody's Investors Service, they are among the country's smallest hospitals in terms of net revenue with this credit rating.
Gene has served in almost every imaginable position for the Kansas Hospital Association. Here are just a few:
- Kansas Hospital Association Board of Directors 2001-2007, chair in 2006
- KHA Board of Directors, American Hospital Association delegate, 2008-2010
- Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation Board of Directors, 2000-2002
- KHA Governance Committee, chairperson, 2006
- KHA Audit Committee, 2008-2010
- KHA Strategic Planning Committee, 2010-2011
- KHA/Kansas Medical Society Leadership Task Force, chairperson, 2007-2008
- KHA Task Force on Limited Service Facilities, 2007-2008
- KHA/KMS Quality Work Group, 2008
- Kansas Health Care Collaborative Steering Committee, 2008
Gene's service to his hospital, his community, the state and KHA show how very deserving he is of this award. We congratulate him for his selection, and we are grateful for his involvement and support over the years. I invite you all to attend the KHA Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 10, when we will officially present Gene with the Billings Award. Thanks Gene and Congratulations!
--Tom Bell
