A big celebration was in order for a tall Texan as Methodist Health System Foundation honored David B. Miller as the 2017 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipient at its signature fundraiser. Established in 2005, the award recognizes individuals whose demonstrated commitment and excellence in community leadership emulate the achievements of the late Dallas Mayor Robert S. Folsom. In celebration and tribute to the legacy of Folsom, the honoree designated that the funds raised, which totaled more than $2.2 million, would support the Robert S. Folsom Wellness Center, a new facility at Methodist Dallas Medical Center that will be dedicated to improving the quality of health and wellness for Southern Dallas citizens.
Each year, the event is personalized to honor the recipient, and this year was no exception. As close to 900 guests entered the ballroom, they grooved to “Shilah and Millerettes,” a Motown Trio crooning Miller’s favorite lively hits. The energy continued with a warm welcome from mistress of ceremonies, The Honorable Jeanne Phillips, who also served as event co-chair along with Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, and Gail and Gerald Turner. “He’s a big guy with big ideas, a big vision and a big heart—and that’s why it’s our joy to celebrate him tonight.”
“This year’s Folsom Award celebration was launched two weeks ago at a special patron party for the Leadership Circle patrons, hosted by President and Mrs. George W. Bush at the Presidential Reception Hall at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.”
President Bush via video congratulated Miller. The invocation was then given by Dr. Andrew C. Stoker, pastor to Carolyn and David Miller and senior minister of First United Methodist Church, Dallas.
Celebrity Cowboy Cook Tom Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse surprised Miller. “We brought our pits all the way from Buffalo Gap to serve mesquite smoked peppered beef tenderloin, green chili hominy and bread pudding – all your favorites!”
Phillips recognized members of the Folsom family, and then introduced a celebratory video in tribute to the life and legacy of Bob Folsom.
Stephen L. Mansfield, Ph.D., FACHE, Methodist Health System president and CEO, thanked Shilah Phillips for her “Big Boss Man” song introduction. In his remarks to Miller as he welcomed event guests, Mansfield joked saying, “I, along with everyone else, will always be looking up to you—on so many levels. It’s my privilege to thank each of you for being here as we honor our great friend and Methodist Foundation Board Member, David Miller.”
Mansfield introduced the Methodist video showcasing how the hospital system has helped many individuals with their health care in a compassionate and caring manner. Last year, Methodist contributed more than $150 million in unreimbursed charity care, a growing portion of total care provided in North Texas.
Methodist Health System Foundation President James M. Johnston announced, “It’s a great tribute that over $2.2 million has been raised, and that’s because of David and the hard-working co-chairs who believe in our mission.”
Dallas Mavericks’ legend Dirk Nowitzki via video congratulated David and joked about his basketball hook shot. “I hear you are my #1 fan…and the more I learn about you and all you’ve done for the Dallas community, I’ve become a fan of yours.”
Dr. R. Gerald Turner, president of Southern Methodist University (SMU), introduced the tribute video that showed the honoree and his many accomplishments, both professional and personal.
As Miller came to the stage to accept the Methodist Folsom award, SMU cheerleaders cheered and the SMU Mustang Band performed the fight song as a special touch from his alma mater. Steve Folsom, Bob Folsom’s son and chairman of Methodist Foundation Board of Trustees, Turner and Johnston presented Miller with the prestigious award.
Miller said, “I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the Folsom Leadership Award. It’s special not only because of the highly distinguished prior recipients, but also because of the man it’s named after, Bob Folsom. This truly is a special night for me and my family, but as we all know, this event really is about generating important financial resources for the mission of a 90-year-old institution in this city. For almost a century, Methodist has provided high quality health care to this community. It serves as a beacon and a bridge to the southern part of our city, and in that regard, holds a unique place in the history of Dallas.”
The Folsom dinner, recognized as one of Dallas’s largest fundraising events, has raised more than $16 million net to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services.
Past Folsom Leadership Award recipients include a who’s who in Dallas: the late Robert S. Folsom (2005), Nancy Ann Hunt (2006), Troy Aikman (2007), Laura Bush (2008), the late Norman Brinker (2009), Pat and Emmitt Smith (2010), Trevor Rees-Jones (2011), Michael M. Boone (2012), Rev. Mark Craig (2013), Bobby B. Lyle (2014), Jack Lowe, Jr. (2015), R. Gerald Turner, Ph.D. (2016), David B. Miller (2017).
Presenting Sponsor: The Lupe Murchison Foundation
Lead Sponsors: Meredith and Kyle Bebee/Katy and Kyle Miller, EnCap Investments L.P.,Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt,Lottye and Bobby Lyle,Carolyn and David B. Miller and The David B. Miller Family Foundation,RGT Wealth Advisors
Platinum Sponsors: Gina and Tucker Bridwell, The Dedman Foundation Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas
Gold Sponsors: Belle and Don Berg, Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians, Folsom Properties, Inc.,Nita and John Ford, Linda and Mitch Hart, Murphy USA, Pat and Pete Schenkel, Mary and Rich Templeton, Thompson & Knight Foundation
Leadership Circle Sponsors: Sam S. Ahn, MD, Candace and Gerald Alley and Leslie and Ed Wilson,Pierce and Allie Beth Allman, Ruth and Ken Altshuler/Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation, Amegy Bank,Anonymous, Aramark Healthcare, AT&T, Joyce and Selly Belofsky, Bonnie and William Bennett, MD, Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation - Pat and Jane Bolin Family Donor Advised Fund,Holly and Doug Brooks Family Foundation,Ann and Brad Brookshire, Burford & Ryburn L.L.P., Lori and John Collins/Haynes and Boone, LLP,Comerica Bank, Kelly H. Compton, Crow Holdings Capital-Investment Partners & Crow Holdings, Sylvie and Gary Crum, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Paul S. Farrow/Ebby Halliday Realtors,Fidelity Investments, Hon. Richard Fisher,Jim and Petey Fite/Century 21 Judge Fite Company, Folsom Family, Kay and Duncan Fulton, J.M. Haggar, Jr. Family Foundation,Sylvia Hargrave, MD, Jan and Fred Hegi, Kathy and Larry Helm, The Hersh Foundation, Highland Park United Methodist Church, In Memory of Sally Houston, Tracey and David Huntley, J.P. Morgan, Dodge Jones Foundation, Gene and Jerry Jones, Janey and Darrell Jordan, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Laboratory Physicians Association, Lockton Dunning Benefits, Mary and Jack Lowe, Penny and Paul Loyd, Cathy and Harold MacDowell, Theresa and Murphy Markham, Maryann and Frank Mihalopoulos, Carolyn and David Neal, NueHealth, Perkins+Will, Hon. Jeanne Phillips, PlainsCapital Bank, RD&F Advertising, Elaine and Michael Redden,Eileen and Ron Ricks, Emily and Bruce Robson, Rogers-O'Brien Construction, Vic Salvino,Dr. Allen and Elaine Schneider, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Gay and Bill Solomon, T.D. Bank, N.A., Texas Star Landscapes LLC,U.S. Anesthesia Partners, U.S. Trust-Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Ussery Printing, Winstead PC.
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning and compassion, Dallas-based Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated health care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Seven hospitals and 25 Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are among the facilities served by the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the fastest-growing health systems in America, Methodist continues to add facilities and services to enhance patient care along the entire continuum. Additional information is available at MethodistHealthSystem.org. Connect through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter at MethodistHealthSystem.org/SocialMedia.
Those interested in supporting the Robert S. Folsom Award, please contact Methodist Health System Foundation Vice President of Development Joy Duncan at 214.947.4602 or joyduncan@mhd.com. More information is available at https://foundation.methodisthealthsystem.org/folsom/.