Suzanne Dollar

“When I chose nursing as my profession, I had no idea of the changes coming in the delivery of health care and in the technology that would enhance patient care, particularly in the field of home-health care,” said Dollar, now retired.

Dollar moved to the Ozarks in the early 1970s and was instrumental in establishing the Southwest Missouri Visiting Nurse Association.

Dollar moved up through the association’s ranks. She started as a staff nurse and served as coordinator of planning and community education for 12 years before being named executive director in 1989.

As awareness about home-health care grew, the VNA positioned itself to reduce rising costs and improve the quality of care for patients.

“When physicians expressed a need for new services for their patients, we tried our best to find a way to provide that service,” Dollar said. “Vision and creativity became essential as the VNA expanded.”

In the early ’90s, the association trained nurses to use laptop computers at patients’ bedsides – a move that Dollar said improved internal communication, increased productivity and decreased administrative costs.

The VNA also formed partnerships with nonprofit agencies to meet the community’s health care needs as they arose.

In 1995, the VNA merged into St. John’s Health System to form the Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation – a grant-making organization that assists local nonprofits with critical health-related needs. To date, the foundation has granted $700,000 to southwest Missouri organizations.

In her various leadership roles, Dollar said she became an advocate for the home-health industry. She served on the boards of the Missouri Alliance for Home Care and the National Association for Home Care, and was involved with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce for several years.

“I have learned that involvement in civic affairs is vital, and I have enjoyed meeting and working with people committed to building community resources, services and opportunities for citizens of every age and circumstance,” she said.

Dollar said she influenced the success of others by trying to put the right people in the right jobs; providing open and clear communication; educating those around her; empowering people but holding them accountable; and teaching respect.

“I believe that when individuals combine their skill and energy and work toward common goals, the possibilities are infinite,” she said.

Personally speaking

As a young child, what did you hope to be when you grew up?

When I was very small, I had fantasy-type dreams of becoming a ballerina, but those soon faded. By the time I was in middle school, becoming a nurse was my goal.

Tell us about your family.

I have two children, Christopher, who lives in Nixa with his wife, Kelly, and daughters Lauren, 13, and Megan, 9. Melissa and her husband, David, live in Mountain Grove with their three children, Mac, 8, Will, 7, and Marly, 5. My husband, David, who died last September was a longtime faculty member at Missouri State University.

Besides your parents, who do you consider a mentor or role model?

My paternal grandmother was not only my role model but my very best friend. She raised four children, contributed to the family’s weekly newspaper and volunteered in the community. She knew what she believed in and wasn’t afraid to make it known. Time after time she cancelled my grandfather's vote at the polls. She taught me love, acceptance, courage and commitment.

Tell us something about you that most people probably don't know.

When I was 11, my father bought me a horse and made it possible for me to join a saddle club in a nearby town. We traveled with our horses and rode in parades, fairs, etc., and it was a dream come true for me.[[In-content Ad]]