Annual Awards Luncheon attracts full house of 700-plus attendees

Lauren Silverman (l to r), Eugene Robinson and Tucker Carlson

The DFW Hospital Council’s (DFWHC) 68th Annual Awards Luncheon on Tuesday attracted a full house of 700-plus attendees to the Arlington Convention Center. The event, themed “Up for Debate: The Presidential Elections” was highlighted by the appearance of Tucker Carlson of FOX News and Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post discussing the upcoming presidential elections. Lauren Silverman of KERA News moderated the discussion.

Joel Allison, president/CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health who will be stepping down in 2017, was given a standing ovation during his tribute introduced by Steven Newton of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, Scott Peek of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney and Cindy Schamp of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Irving.

Additional honorees included Margaret Jordan of Dallas Medical Resource with the Distinguished Health Service Award; Clint Abernathy of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance as Young Healthcare Executive of the Year; and Levi Davis of Methodist Health System with the Kerney Laday, Sr. Trustee of the Year Award. Lillie Biggins, president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, served as Master of Ceremonies.

The Dallas Street Choir, a singing group made up of the homeless and disadvantaged, performed the National Anthem to open the program. Michael Darrouzet of the Dallas County Medical Society and Brian Swift of the Tarrant County Medical Society provided the invocation and benediction.

“Every year we are honored to be able to provide an opportunity to applaud these great friends of North Texas healthcare,” said W. Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “Each of these recipients have played a crucial role in contributing to the quality of our region’s healthcare. Their work is worthy of historic acknowledgement and the Annual Awards Luncheon is our way to celebrate their careers.”

VIP guests included former DFWHC President/CEO John Gavras; Betty Farnsworth, wife of James Farnsworth who was the 1957 DFWHC Chair; Mike Mayes, 1984 DFWHC Chair; John Carver, 1993 DFWHC Chair; Clinton Howard, a 1993 recipient of the Distinguished Health Service Award; Doug Hawthorne, a 1997 recipient of the Boone Powell, Sr. Award; George Farr, a 2001 recipient of the Boone Powell, Sr. Award; Tarrant County Judge Glenn Whitley; Ruby Blum representing Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins; Leigh Collins representing Senator Konni Burton; Matt Garcia representing Congressman Pete Sessions; Ted Shaw, President/CEO of the Texas Hospital Association; and Tucker Bonner of the American Hospital Association.

Hall Render served as the event’s Platinum Sponsor. Additional sponsors included Ray and Nancy Ann Hunt, CampbellWilson and Denitech. All photographs by Jerry McClure.