Tom Karl, president, Parkland Health Center, announces the establishment of the Parkland Health Center Foundation. The 501(c)3 charitable organization was established with an anchor gift from the Alex Hawn estate to secure philanthropic support for Parkland Health Center to accomplish its mission of providing extraordinary care.

The leadership of Parkland's new Foundation is well-known to the community. Katie Rhodes has accepted the position of chairperson, and George Oliver, MD, as vice chairperson. Both have long-standing ties with the Hospital.

Rhodes' childhood included Farmington Community Hospital, predecessor to Parkland Health Center, from the time her father, C. W. Chastain, MD, joined its medical staff in 1959. He has since retired, and Rhodes, a partner with Thurman, Shinn and Company, serves on the Hospital's Board of Directors. "As a member of the Board of Parkland Health Center, I have become aware of health care needs of our community and the challenges facing the health care industry," says Rhodes. "I have an immense appreciation for Parkland's mission to provide extraordinary care. I believe that this Foundation will be a vital resource in accomplishing that mission. I am honored to be a part of the Foundation."

Dr. Oliver, a well-known surgeon in the community, was a founding Board member of Farmington Community Hospital. He joined the staff of Bonne Terre Hospital, the other predecessor of Parkland, in 1959, and then joined the Farmington Community Hospital staff in 1968, serving for years as chief, Division of Surgery. In 1992, Bonne Terre and Farmington Community Hospitals merged to become Parkland Health Center. Dr. Oliver retired from Parkland Health Center in 2001. 

Dr. Oliver has deep roots with BJC HealthCare and did much of his medical training at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "As a founding Board member and staff member of the Hospital, I had the honor and privilege of helping it grow and progress over the years," says Dr. Oliver. "The health care situation is constantly changing, and the needs of the providing institution are therefore changing accordingly. Support of the community for Parkland, especially through the Foundation, is very helpful in meeting the health care needs of the community."

Other Parkland Health Center Foundation Board members are:

• Mary E. (Beth) Baker, executive vice president, First State Insurance
• Bill Blair, president, Parkland Health Center, retired
• Kevin Cook, president, First State Community Bank
• Carol Coulter, administrator, Parkland Health Center-Bonne Terre
• John Crouch, president, Crouch, Farley & Heuring, PC
• Tom Karl, president, Parkland Health Center
• Jill Mackay, Colson & Mackay LLC
• Ron Stevens, director, physician recruitment, Parkland Health Center and Missouri Baptist Medical Center, retired
• Paul Williams, faculty, North St. Francois County High School, retired
• Nicole Wood, Woodland Parts Supply
• Joyce F. Wood, Wood and Associates

The Parkland Health Center Foundation Board will focus on:

• Leading-edge technology and clinical equipment
• Clinical services
• High-quality physicians and other medical professionals
• A thriving workforce that provides superior patient care and is passionate about service excellence
• Public health education