Jack Forbes Honored

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Hospital Association has recognized John W. “Jack” Forbes with a posthumous 2007 Excellence in Governance award for his contributions to the health care community.

Forbes was one of six trustees from across the state honored during a June 14 presentation at MHA’s annual Leadership Forum in Lake Ozark, Mo. Forbes, who passed away last year, had been board president of I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs, Mo., since 2000.

“Throughout most of Jack’s tenure as board president, the hospital did not exist,” said Ron Baker, chief executive officer of I-70 Medical Center. “Jack was the first person to recommend creating a new hospital. He was instrumental in finding leaders who believed in the project and were willing to work through the process. Although the hospital has been serving the community for only a year, it is certain that Jack’s vision helped saved lives in the community.”

Forbes also was president of the St. John United Church of Christ Church Council and St. John Lay Fellowship. He also served as president of the Sweet Springs Fall Festival, Sweet Springs Lions Club and Sweet Springs Revitalization. A former secretary of the Sweet Springs Industrial Committee, Forbes served as a board member of the Sweet Springs Park Board and the Sweet Springs Zoning Board.

Since 1985, MHA’s Excellence in Governance award has been given annually to hospital trustees for their dedication to exceptional health care. Award recipients are chosen by MHA’s district council presidents.

Other award recipients include Dean C. Henricksen, president of the Spelman Medical Foundation of Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.; Donald G. LaFerla, board chair of McCune-Brooks Hospital in Carthage, Mo.; William R. Riggs, board treasurer of Liberty Hospital; Merlyn Shephard, board member of Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Mo.; and Maurice Watson, board member of Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo.

The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 141 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its members, the association offers continuing education programs on current health topics and seeks to educate the public, as well as legislative representatives, about health care issues.