Six locals receive Missourian award

Two CoxHealth leaders, a mayor, a drug company executive, a Springfield attorney and a noted developer were among the 13 recipients of the 2009 Missourian Awards on Saturday evening in Jefferson City.

The award, presented by the American Heart Association, is given each year to those who were born or have lived in Missouri and have made notable contributions to the state or the nation in civics, business, education, politics or the arts.

Local honorees this year are:

• Neil Wortley, former administrator at CoxHealth and current administrator emeritus and CoxHealth Foundation board member;

• Dr. Patricia Dix, a maternal and fetal medicine specialist and member of the CoxHealth Board of Directors who helped develop the Cox South Perinatal Intensive Care Unit for women experiencing pregnancy complications;

• Rayanne Presley, the first female mayor of Branson and co-owner of Presleys' Country Jubilee;

• Fred McQueary, former board chairman and chairman emeritus of Springfield-based McQueary Brothers Drug Co.;

• Brad Bradshaw, a Springfield attorney, physician and surgeon; and

• Robert Plaster, Lebanon businessman and developer, who received the award posthumously.

This year is the 16th for the Missourian awards. Past recipients include Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite, Sam Walton and Johnny Morris.

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