LMH Endowment Announces 2018 Elizabeth Watkins Award Recipients
The Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award. The Watkins Award is named for Elizabeth Miller Watkins, one of Lawrence's most significant philanthropists. It honors those who, like Watkins, have provided extraordinary support to LMH.
“The strength of our community hospital is due in large part to the generous support of donors,” said Rebecca Smith, executive director of LMH Endowment. “Through the annual Watkins Award program, we honor the legacy of Elizabeth Watkins and celebrate the philanthropists who ensure LMH can continue its role as a partner in lifelong health. We are honored to recognize our 2018 recipients for their commitment to our family, friends and neighbors who rely on LMH and its clinics.”
Watkins Award winners will be recognized at the LMH Endowment Association’s Annual Meeting, scheduled for at 4:30 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at Maceli’s Banquet Hall, 1031 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS. The event is open to the public; RSVP by Feb. 16 to Amy Addington.
2018 Watkins Award Winners: Individuals
William H. Coil
Bill Coil volunteered at LMH for 11 years, watching all the while as the hospital made incredible improvements. “I saw administrators build this place into what it needs to be,” he says. Coil has repeatedly demonstrated his confidence in LMH by generously supporting the new skilled nursing and acute rehab units, and as a member of the hospital’s Circle of Life Planned Giving Society. Coil taught biologic sciences for 32 years and retired from KU. He enjoys travel, photography and gardening. He and his wife, Suzanne, who passed away in 2009, had three children, Larry, Jim, and Millicent, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dana and Sue Anderson
Again and again, Dana and Sue Anderson have extended themselves to invest in institutions they see making a positive difference. The University of Kansas, as well as Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza and Lawrence Memorial Hospital are local entities that have been changed for the better by the hard work, positive influence and generosity of the Andersons. The couple has been involved in many major projects at KU and Dana’s longtime firm, Macerich, was a partner in the purchase of the Plaza in 2016. At LMH the Andersons have supported the hospital’s capital campaign, the fourth-floor renovation, the new Heart Cath Lab and the new LMH West project. Dana and Sue have four children, Jerry, Dana Jr., Jenee and Justin.
Bill and Carolie Hougland
Bill Hougland was a two-time gold medal Olympian, a member of the Kansas Jayhawks' 1952 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship team coached by Phog Allen, and a 1952 First Round Draft Pick for the Minnesota Lakers. He began his career at Phillips Petroleum Company, moving to Wichita in 1961 to spend 30 years with Koch Industries. The Houglands were married 65 years before Bill’s death in March, 2017, and have been exceptionally supportive of the Endowment Association’s annual appeal, the hospital’s capital campaign and the renovation of the skilled nursing and acute rehab units on the fourth floor. Bill was a golfer, a hunter and a fly fisherman. He and Carolie had six children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
2018 Watkins Award Winners: Businesses
Capitol Federal Foundation
The Capitol Federal Foundation is well known for providing support to organizations that provide important social services, especially in the Kansas communities where Capitol Federal has a business presence. They have long supported Lawrence Memorial Hospital in a variety of ways, including through generous event sponsorships. Most recently, the Capitol Federal Foundation made a significant investment in the renovation of the hospital’s skilled nursing and acute rehab units on the fourth floor.
The Sunderland Foundation
The Sunderland Foundation is recognized throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area for their emphasis on philanthropy, and the quiet support they provide to a wide variety of non-profits. They have been tremendously supportive of Lawrence Memorial Hospital over the years. Most recently, they provided significant support for the fourth-floor renovation, the new Cardiac Catheterization Lab, and for the new Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit in the Emergency Department.
LMH Auxiliary
The LMH Auxiliary has provided volunteer support to the hospital since 1957. The Auxiliary funds scholarships, operates the hospital gift shop and Mario's Closet, and raises money to purchase needed hospital equipment. Most recently the Auxiliary pledged $250,000 to the heart catheterization lab. “There is a history here of people who want to contribute to this organization with time and talent,” says Allyson Leland, LMH director of volunteer services. “It speaks well of LMH physicians and staff that volunteers become donors. I have been here 27 years and have seen dedication and pride among our volunteers. It is quite inspiring.”
2018 Watkins Award Winners – Employees
Cory Wapp
As a Financial Counselor in LMH Patient Financial Services who assists patients through the LMH Financial Assistance program or in setting up payment plans, Cory Wapp is proud of the work he and the H.E.R. O. (Hearts of Employees Reaching Out) team have accomplished through annual employee campaigns, providing assistance to fellow associates and patients and establishing the H.E.R.O. team scholarship. The gratitude Cory sees in patients when they are told that the hospital can provide them financial assistance is inspiring, he says. He’s thankful LMH can provide patients and employees with the quality healthcare they deserve.
Marla Potter
Marla Potter says it’s an honor to help patients and their families and throughout her six years at Lawrence General Surgery as Clinic Support Specialist, she has done just that. Marla serves as a co-chair of the H.E.R.O (Hearts of Employee’s Reaching Out) team, leading the Employee Annual Giving campaign and raising more than $80,000 each year for the Employee Care Fund, Help and Healing fund and Employee Education fund. Marla makes a point to share her knowledge and experience with other employees and clinics, making certain people in need are aware of these funds. Marla loves spending time with her husband, three children, and five grandchildren and enjoys camping and spending time on the water as well.
