Stop the Presses: Salute to Health Care spotlights medical, community achievements

There's no mystery about the Business Journal's decision to sponsor the 2002 Salute to Health Care being presented this fall by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

There's nothing like being a member of the well-preserved but aging, nonetheless Baby Boomer generation for heightening one's general health awareness. Because I'm over 50, now I've even got to worry about mosquito bites. The West Nile Virus wants me, or so some media sources say.

As a business owner, too, I am reminded daily of how my own health and the health of each of the Business Journal's team members affects our fiscal well being. A good dose of back-to-school virus can deliver a few days of havoc to even the best-organized staff.

It's tough these days when we don't even have enough privacy in our workstations to close our doors and lie down under the desk when the going gets tough. Admit it. You've done this, too.

Truly, our health is our most valuable asset. If we are not well, we cannot take care of ourselves, our families, work, community or country. We must rely on the professionals that we are so fortunate to have in Springfield to protect that asset.

The Springfield Business Journal staff recognizes the significance of health care to the local economy, as well. Springfield draws residents from the entire southwest Missouri region to its top specialists, clinics and hospitals.

We know that one of the reasons good people come to work in the Springfield area is that we have good companies that provide good medical benefits for employees. This is a healthy place to live and work, because we help take care of those who cannot take care of themselves, too. Lest we forget, even federal prisoners get excellent health care here in Springfield.

For the 18th year, the chamber will present the Salute to Health Care awards in recognition of the medical achievements and community service of the four honorees selected this year from a field of 32 strong nominees. Features in these pages tell their stories to help you know these people and organizations.

Advocates for a Healthy Community is being honored for its successful effort to locate a Federally Qualified Health Center in the city to serve indigent and uninsured patients. This is a community-wide committee of individuals and organizations that work together to address a variety of health-care issues for both Springfield and Greene County.

Dr. Wolfe Gerecht, an infectious disease specialist at Ferrell-Duncan Clinic and a leading expert in his field, is recognized for his devotion to education of other physicians in the region, authoring articles and making numerous presentations about the control of infectious diseases. He also serves as medical director for AIDS Project of the Ozarks.

Larry Wallis, longtime president and CEO of CoxHealth, will be honored for his leadership of Springfield's largest employer. Cox has more than 9,000 employees and has been named one of the nation's Top 100 hospitals or health systems three times during Wallis' tenure.

Dr. Robert Zahn, a pediatrician who retired in 1999 from St. John's Health System, is being honored after 38 years of medical service. He is past president of the Greene County Medical Society and the former chief of pediatrics at St. John's Regional Health Center.

So, it is with a great deal of pleasure that the Business Journal staff will join in the celebration of the 2002 Salute to Health Care on Oct. 15 at Highland Springs Country Club. A special reception is planned for 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7. Contact the chamber for ticket information.