A physician with 35 years of experience in transfusion science medicine and President/CEO of Carter BloodCare since its formation in 1996, the DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) announced today that Dr. Merlyn Sayers has been chosen as the 2015 recipient of the Distinguished Health Service Award. The honor will be presented during DFWHC’s 67th Annual Awards Luncheon, October 29 at Arlington Convention Center.

Dr. Merlyn Sayers

Under Dr. Sayers’ tenure, Carter BloodCare, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become the largest blood bank in Texas supplying 90 percent of the blood products used in the 58-county area around North, Central and East Texas. With a staff of more than 1,000, the organization collects close to 400,000 blood donations a year and is recognized nationally as a center of excellence.

“Dr. Sayers has worked throughout the years to support the health and wellness of our community,” said W. Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “Through Carter BloodCare, he daily supports the activities of treating the sick and helping restore them to healthy and productive lives. He is a deserving recipient of this award and we are looking forward to honoring his career.”

Dr. Sayers has a long history of volunteer work, having previously served as chairman of the Food and Drug Administration Blood Products Committee. He also served on the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Blood Safety, the American Association of Blood Banks Scientific Section Committee, the Scientific Medical and Technical Committee of America’s Blood Centers and the Texas Medical Association Committee on Blood and Tissue Usage.

Born in Reading, Berkshire, England, Dr. Sayers received his medical degree and PhD from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. After immigrating to the U.S., he completed fellowships in hematology, oncology and blood banking and transfusion medicine at the University of Washington. Dr. Sayers is on the faculty of the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where his current research involves community and public health.

DFWHC’s Distinguished Health Service Award has been bestowed annually for 67 years. Since 1948, residents of the Dallas/Fort Worth area have been honored for their dedication and support of healthcare including Dr. Wright Lassiter, Jr. (2014), Senator Florence Shapiro (2013), T. Boone Pickens (2012), Mayor Mike and Rosie Moncrief (2011), Ray and Nancy Ann Hunt (2009), Ross and Margot Perot (2008), Jerry Gilmore (2007), Ruben Esquivel (1992), Tom Vandergriff (1985), J. Erik and Margaret Jonsson (1974) and Joe Dealey (1967).

In addition to Dr. Sayers, DFWHC will also honor the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and the Kerney Laday, Sr. Trustee of the Year during the Oct. 29 luncheon.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham will serve as the luncheon’s keynote speaker. Meacham’s most recent book, “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power,” was a No. 1 bestseller. He received the Pulitzer Prize for “American Lion,” his bestselling 2008 biography of Andrew Jackson. He is also the author of “Franklin and Winston” and “American Gospel.”

The event is sponsored in part by CampbellWilson, LLP. Tables of 10 are $1,100 and individual tickets are $150. For more information, please contact Kristin Alexander or Chris Wilson at 972-719-4900.

Headquartered in Irving, the DFW Hospital Council is an 88-member organization with 46 years of service to North Texas. Governed by a 14-member board of hospital executives, the hospital trade association is committed to the continuous improvement of patient care.