CMH Foundation appoints trio of new board members

A trio of appointments were recently approved by the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Lou Harris, Drew Legan and Craig Lehman were added to the board at its June meeting, according to a news release. The three appointments fill vacancies on the nine-member board.

“Craig, Drew and Dr. Harris each care deeply about our communities and have demonstrated that through their leadership and service,” said Michael Calhoun, CEO and executive director of Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, in the release. “Their experience and perspective will be valuable as the foundation continues supporting programs and services that strengthen local health care.”

Harris is a board-certified family medicine physician at Bolivar Family Care Center and serves as chief medical information officer for CMH. He joined the CMH staff in 1988 after earning his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He has served on the Physician Advisory Committee of Massachusetts-based Meditech for 10 years, is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

Legan is vice president and commercial lender at OakStar Bank in Bolivar. Before joining OakStar, he worked for more than six years at Bank of Bolivar, serving as vice president and loan officer. He also serves as president of the Bolivar R-1 Board of Education.

Lehman owns and operates a Shelter Insurance office in Bolivar. He has served in leadership roles with the Bolivar Rotary Club, Missouri Beef Days and the Bolivar FFA Advisory Board. He also serves on the Commerce Bank advisory board and has supported numerous CMH Foundation initiatives, including medical excellence scholarships, the CMH Soiree and the annual Heroes for Hospice 5K/10K Run as a presenting sponsor for the past five years.

Other members of the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation’s board are Janieca Hancock, president; Donald J. Babb; Trina Banner; Gary Fulbright; Dr. D. Michelle Meents; and Calhoun, ex officio.

Harris, Legan and Lehman are filling seats on the board previously held by James Ashworth, John Kallenbach and Dr. K. Ron Smith, said CMH spokesperson Charlotte Marsch. The seats of Kallenbach and Smith became open after they concluded their service in June, while Ashworth’s spot opened upon his election in April to the CMH District Board of Directors. 

The Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation board governs the nonprofit organization, which was established in 1986, according to the release. One member, who is currently Hancock, also serves on the CMH District Board of Directors to provide coordination and transparency between the two boards, while the remaining eight serve independently.

The foundation supports CMH through long-term care, home care and other programs that improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves.