April Box, CFRE, president and CEO of Methodist Health System Foundation, along with Parton Party hosts Ashlee and Chris Kleinert and event co-chairs Kelli and Gerald J. Ford, Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, and Lottye and Bobby B. Lyle, welcomed more than 80 sponsors of the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award.
Mr. Kleinert gathered the crowd for brief remarks, and on behalf of he and his wife Ashlee, thanked the Leadership Circle donors for their support of the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award Dinner. He lauded Methodist Health System Foundation for once again selecting a deserving award recipient, R. Gerald Turner, PhD, who has meant so much to the City of Dallas and to Southern Methodist University, as SMU’s longest-serving president. Mr. Kleinert also recognized the “first lady of SMU,” Dr. Turner’s wife, Gail, who was seated nearby. Lastly he thanked Dr. Turner for allowing the Foundation to recognize him, which in turn shines a spotlight on the important work being done each day by Methodist Health System.
Ms. Box added her gratitude to the evening’s hosts, this year’s event co-chairs, and patrons in attendance for their demonstrated support and respect for Dr. Turner through sponsorships, with special thanks to presenting sponsor, The Lupe Murchison Foundation. She recognized Sharon and Steve Folsom, and noted how Mr. Folsom has followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by serving as the chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as well as his sisters and their husbands, Diane and Robert Frank and Debbie and Don Jarma, all in attendance.
She added that Dr. Turner represents Bob Folsom’s legacy of love and commitment of service to the Dallas community as he joins a very prestigious group of former Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipients, including this year’s co-chairs Nancy Ann Hunt and Bobby Lyle, who were in attendance, as well as Troy Aikman, Mike Boone, First Lady Laura Bush, the late Norman Brinker, Pat and Emmitt Smith, Trevor Rees-Jones, Rev. Mark Craig, and Jack Lowe, Jr.
As in years past, event proceeds have been designated by the Folsom Award recipient, Dr. Turner and his wife Gail.
“In honor of Dr. Turner’s passion for education, funds from this year’s event will go to the Methodist Dallas Medical Center Golden Cross Academic Clinic and graduate medical education, shared Ms. Box. “This is particularly meaningful as Methodist strives each day to serve an ever-increasing number of disadvantaged families in our community through the Golden Cross Clinic. Thank you Gerald and Gail, for stepping forward to help those who cannot help themselves.”
Dr. Turner extended his heartfelt gratitude for the recognition by the Foundation, and added his thanks to his wife Gail, friends and co-chairs Kelli and Jerry, Nancy Ann and Ray and Lottye and Bobby, April and the Foundation staff, as well as all the many sponsors who will enable Methodist Health System to continue serving the community.
In closing Ms. Box reminded patrons of the upcoming event on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
Since its inception, the Folsom Award events have netted more than $14 million to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services. The event would not be possible without the generosity of the 2016 sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor ($250,000) – The Lupe Murchison Foundation
Lead Sponsors ($100,000) – Kelli and Gerald J. Ford and Hilltop Holdings Inc.; and Carolyn and David B. Miller and The David B. Miller Family Foundation
Video Sponsor ($100,000) – Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt
Platinum Sponsor ($50,000) – Linda and Mitch Hart and Lottye and Bobby B. Lyle
Award Dinner Program Sponsor ($25,000) – Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians
Gold Sponsors ($25,000) – The Dedman Foundation Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas; Folsom Family; Nita and John R. Ford; Gene and Jerry Jones; Ashlee and Chris Kleinert; and Pat and Pete Schenkel
Support Sponsor ($20,000) – The Beck Group
Leadership Circle Sponsors ($10,000) – Lydia and Bill Addy; Allegiance Title Company/Dawn Moore; Allie Beth and Pierce Allman; Amegy Bank; Aramark Healthcare; AT&T, Inc.; Austin Commercial; Joyce and Selly Belofsky; Ann and Brad Brookshire; CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company; Cienda Partners; John M. Collins/Haynes and Boone, LLP; Comerica Bank; Kelly Compton; William R. and Susan S. Cooper; The Deason Foundation; Paul S. Farrow, Ebby Halliday Realtors; Folsom Properties, Inc.; Kay and Duncan T. Fulton, III; Hegi Family; Hodges Capital Management; J.P. Morgan; Laboratory Physicians Association; Lockton Dunning Benefits; Cathy and Harold MacDowell; Cary M. McGuire; Maryann and Frank Mihalopoulos; Carolyn F. and G. David Neal; Norton Rose Fulbright; NueHealth; Sarah F. Perot; Jane H. and Charles C. Pierce, Jr.; Caren Prothro/Ruth and Ken Altshuler; Elaine and Michael Redden; The Rees-Jones Foundation; Eileen and Ron Ricks; RGT Wealth Advisors; Rogers-O’Brien Construction; Dr. Allen and Elaine Schneider; Peggy and Carl Sewell; Shirley and George Shafer; Gay and William Solomon; TD Bank, N.A.; TDIndustries, Ben Houston and Jack Lowe, Jr., Texas Star Landscapes, LLC; Tolleson Wealth Management; Chancellor Lee Jackson and University of North Texas System; U.S. Anesthesia Partners; Tim Wallace; and Lee Ann and Alan White/PlainsCapital Bank
Bronze Sponsors ($5,000) - Bank of Texas; Colleen Barrett; Kathy and Gene Bishop; Communities Foundation of Texas; Sylvie and Gary Crum; Francis & Totusek, L.L.P.; Leigh K. Hunter, MD; Herb Kelleher; Mairs & Power; Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital/Kindred Healthcare; Erle Nye; Owens & Minor Distribution, Inc.; Perkins + Will; Warren Rutherford; Debbie and Michael Schaefer; Southern Methodist University; UnitedHealthcare; and Terry and Ron Unkefer.
The Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award dinner will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, located at 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. The 12th annual event will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner and tribute to the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipient, R. Gerald Turner, PhD, president of Southern Methodist University, philanthropist, and education and community leader. Individual tickets are $1,000, $500 or $250; sponsorships begin at $5,000. For sponsorships and ticket information, visit https://foundation.methodisthealthsystem.org/events/folsom/2016-r-gerald-turner-phd/sponsor/.