Salute to Health Care recognizes service to community, profession

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Four leaders in local health care will be honored at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's 17th annual Salute to Health Care on Oct. 16 at Highland Springs Country Club.|ret||ret||tab|

About 150 to 200 are expected to attend the event, including physicians, nurses, health care administrators, business leaders and chamber representatives.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Brad Bodenhausen, the chamber's senior vice president of public affairs and communications, the purpose of the event is to recognize individuals who are direct providers of health care services. Award recipients also must have demonstrated leadership in promoting issues and efforts designed to improve the health of Springfield area residents, shown lengevity in health care, pioneered a field or brought about a significant change.|ret||ret||tab|

Joining the previous recipients listed below are this year's honorees:|ret||ret||tab|

Rex Witherspoon, DDS, an oral surgeon who introduced many innovations in the field of dentistry and also has served as dental team leader on five medical missions to Nicaragua. For a more detailed profile of Witherspoon and his work, see page 20.|ret||ret||tab|

Betty Luckie, administrator of ManorCare Health Services and a leader in the field on long-term care. Luckie also established the first Alzheimer's treatment unit in Springfield. See page 22.|ret||ret||tab|

Larry Halverson, MD, family physician and program director of the Family Practice Residency Program of Cox Health Systems. See page 26.|ret||ret||tab|

Nora Burgess, RN, who pioneered the treatment of lymphedema in Spring-field, establishing the Lymphedema Clinic at St. John's, which she now su-pervises. See page 39.|ret||ret||tab|

This issue of the Springfield Business Journal marks the first time the annual Salute to Health Care has been an "Inside Business" feature presenting profiles of honorees and an array of information pertaining to the event.|ret||ret||tab|

Also, this year the Business Journal joins with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks as a corporate sponsor saluting the significant contributions of health care organizations and the devoted professionals who serve Springfield and southwest Missouri.|ret||ret||tab|

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Dianne Elizabeth|ret||ret||tab|

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