Hall of Fame Dinner honors key supporters

When The University of Kansas Hospital became an independent public authority in 1998, few could imagine this cash-strapped, outdated facility with poor patient and staff satisfaction would one day rank among the nation’s top academic medical centers.

Yet there were believers. The Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Celebration June 5 at The Intercontinental will recognize the third group of inductees whose leadership, advocacy and philanthropy have been instrumental in the hospital’s transformational journey. Individuals and organizations to be honored:

• Bill Graves, Kansas Governor from 1995-2003
• Greg Graves, chairman and CEO of Burns & McDonnell, and Deanna Graves
• William Reed, MD, the hospital’s chairman of Cardiovascular Services, and Mary Reed
• Lockton Companies
• Standard Beverage Corporation

For information on reservations, call 913.588.2800.

2012 Hall of Fame honorees

Honoring our champions. The University of Kansas Hospital’s second Hall of Fame Dinner and awards celebration June 5 recognized individuals and businesses that have been instrumental to our transformational journey. From left are Irene Thompson, hospital president and CEO from 1996-2007, Legacy Award; Bob Page, hospital president and CEO; Richard Embers, Pulse Design Group, Partner in Excellence Award; Jeanne and Joe Brandmeyer, philanthropists, Catalyst Award; Tammy Peterman, RN, MS, hospital executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer; and Roger Schultz, Schultz Brothers Electric Company, Partner in Excellence Award.

“Many special people have played critical roles in the success of The University of Kansas Hospital, including the distinguished group of leaders we honor tonight,” said Bob Page, hospital president and CEO. “Others are the physicians, nurses and other staff members who put the patient first every day in extraordinary circumstances.”

Awards and honorees
	Legacy Award Honors a leader who has gone above and beyond in service to the hospital over many years
		Irene M. Thompson  Hospital president and chief executive officer, 1996-2007 Her visionary leadership, energy, passion and determination were instrumental in launching the hospital’s historic turnaround when it became an independent public authority in 1998. The team she assembled engineered a dramatic shift in quality of care, patient and staff satisfaction, capital investment and revenue, and led the hospital to become one of the nation’s top academic medical centers.
	Catalyst Award Honors individuals who have helped transform the hospital through support, innovative thinking and advocacy
		Joe and Jeanne Brandmeyer Philanthropists and advocates The name Brandmeyer is synonymous with cancer patient care at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. A $10 million gift established a Radiation Oncology chair and professorship in the cancer center’s quest for National Cancer Institute designation and will support key clinical cancer priorities. The Brandmeyer Patient Resource Center at the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion benefits countless cancer patients and families, and the Brandmeyers have been major sponsors of the hospital’s Treads & Threads gala for cancer care since it debuted.
	Partner in Excellence Awards Honors companies or organizations that have invested in the hospital’s growth and success through philanthropy, volunteerism and/or business partnership.
		Pulse Design Group Healthcare architectural design  This firm has helped shape the look and function of the hospital. Projects include the Central Utility Plant, Endoscopy Center, hybrid cardiovascular suite, the dramatic enclosed walkway linking the medical office building to the hospital and major renovations of the Burnett Burn Center, Labor and Delivery suites, inpatient cancer care area for apheresis treatments and others.
		Schultz Brothers Electric Company Electrical construction contractor For more than 20 years, SBEC has been the hospital’s contractor for electrical power projects. Whether it’s designing the new energy plant, providing emergency power generation at the main hospital or installing specialized electric systems for the heart catheterization labs, the company has supplied our institution’s lifeline for seamless operation and quality patient care. Both companies also have sponsored the Treads & Threads gala annually since the beginning.

First inductees