HJBR May/Jun 2020

30 MAY / JUN 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs individuals who made a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer in the communities served by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. The annual awards were presented at the Our Com- munity Celebration special reception earlier this year. A number of donors were also recognized. The D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Community Service Award is presented to individuals whose vision and dedication has made a sustained and measurable difference in the fight against cancer. Estelle Holliday and her sons, Matt and Dan Hol- liday, presented this year’s award to Marty and John Engquist for their advocacy for children. Each year, the Engquists host the Fishin’ Galore event where children diagnosed with cancer and their families enjoy a fun-filled day of food, fish- ing, skeet shooting, horseback riding, and more. Since its inception, the event has grown to more than 150 families coming from all over the coun- try for the experience. Created and led by the Engquists, the Dream Day Foundation has con- tributed millions of dollars to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Additionally, they are support- ers of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Can- cer Services through the Tomarlee Foundation. The Hillar C. Moore, Jr., Memorial Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes an individual whose service has made a significant and unique contri- bution to the philanthropic initiatives of the Can- cer Center. This year, the award was presented by Hillar Moore, Jr.’s, children, Hillar Moore, III, Steven Moore, Michael Moore, and Judge Judy Moore Vendetto to Rose Hudson. Hudson has been a longtime ambassador and supporter of the Cancer Center, serving on the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Foundation boards. Recently, she was named Queen of the 2020 Kar- nival Krewe de Louisiane Mardi Gras Ball, which raised $325,000 benefiting Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. As president and CEO of Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Hud- son has played an instrumental role supporting the Cancer Center’s signature events through cor- porate philanthropy and engagement. The Louis D. Curet Memorial Volunteer Fun- draiser Award was presented by his grandchil- dren, Will James, Carter James, and Sally James Svendson to Tom J. Meek, Jr., MD. The award recognizes an individual, organization, or foun- dation that has launched or led a significant philanthropic effort in support of Mary Bird Per- kins Cancer Center. Meek served on the Cancer Center’s board from 2006-2017 playing an instru- mental role in the most successful fundraising initiative in Mary Bird Perkins’ history. Since his retirement, Meek continues to dedicate his time and professional services to the Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go community and workplace screening programs. The generosity of the Cancer Center’s commu- nity donors was also celebrated at the reception. Many individuals, organizations, and foundations were recognized by moving up or being added to the Our Community Cumulative Giving Wall. 2020 Health Summit Addresses Disparities and Quality of Life for Louisianans Approximately 250 public health and education professionals and individuals gathered at Pen- nington Biomedical Conference Center for the 2020 Health Summit: Advancing Health Equity for Children and Families. Local, state, and nationally recognized public health and education profes- sionals led discussions on how to create a bold policy vision to improve health outcomes and quality of life for Louisiana children and families. “Despite Medicaid expansion and additional health developments, Louisiana is in the bottom portion of the national health ranking,” said Alma Stewart, summit organizer and Louisiana Center for Health Equity Founder/President. “The sum- mit brings together leaders in the public health and education fields to create a bold policy vision to improve health outcomes and the quality of life for Louisiana children and families. The work being done this year will help Louisiana move up in future the national health rankings.” Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna H. Edwards opened the summit. Dr. Jonathan Goldfinger, founder and principal of Goldfinger Health and California’s Trauma-Informed Primary Care Implementation Advisory Committee Mem- ber, served as the keynote speaker. The featured guest speaker was Dr. Danielle Dooley, general pediatrician and medical director of community Several community leaders were recently recognized and presented awards, named after individuals who made a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer in the communities served by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Pictured at the event are, left to right, Scott Wester, president and CEO, Our Lady of the Lake; Marty and John Engquist, D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Community Service Award recipients; Rose Hudson, Hillar C. Moore, Jr., Memorial Outstanding Leadership Award; Dr. Tom Meek, Louis D. Curet Memorial Volunteer Fundraiser Award; and Todd Stevens, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.