Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center Dedicates Foundation Circle

Independence - Hospital Week was unique this year at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center (LKRMC). Besides a week of activities honoring employees for their devotion to LKRMC, the medical center held in concert with the Lallie Kemp Foundation the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Lallie Kemp Foundation Circle.

"It was probably the best day of my fifteen years at Lallie Kemp," LeVern Meades, LKRMC hospital administrator, said.

Besides active fundraising that supports a number of staff activities throughout the year, such as the employee recognition ceremony, the foundation provides the majority of funding for critical staff training, such as advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support.

"The training helps to have a better prepared staff to handle medical emergencies," he said. As a result, foundation support directly contributes to the quality of LKRMC health care.

The success of LKRMC is due in large part to the success of the foundation's fundraising efforts, but LKRMC success is due to more than dollars. "It's not what you give; it's that you give, be it money, time, labor, talent," Meades said and acknowledges the across-the-board support LKRMC has in the community.

"So many in the community are tied to the medical center. I take a lot of pride in Lallie Kemp," he said and noted that his family members have received care at LKRMC. "There's a lot of emotion tied into there, too."

This across-the-board support played a key part in the development of the foundation circle, which evolved into a garden and fountain in recognition of past and present foundation board members.

At the dedication of the foundation circle, Meades made particular note of the contribution of Dr. Vincent Russo, who first suggested a foundation garden for LKRMC, and who for years has been an essential part of the LKRMC surgical and medical team.

Meades also thanked for their contributions to the foundation circle Joan Arnone, Sandy Reed, Eloise Anderson, Buster Guzzardo, G.F. Tycer, Tina Bickham, Francis Bickham, Sherre Pack-Hookfin, Dr. Kathy Willis, Julie Desselles, foundation board members, and the LKRMC maintenance department and hospital administration.