MCV Foundation board Chair Harry Thalhimer presents Ken Wright with the Michael B. Dowdy Award. Photo Kevin Schindler
MCV Foundation celebrates leadership, support at board meeting MCV Foundation trustees, staff, partners and friends gathered for a board meeting and dinner in June to celebrate the culmination of a remarkable year on the MCV Campus. During the dinner, three former board members were awarded lifetime honorary trustee status for their significant contributions over the years: Bertha Rolfe (B.S.’47/P), a foundation board member for 18 years; George Vetrovec, M.D., a foundation board member for 12 years; and Harold F. Young, M.D., a foundation board member for 18 years. Board Chairman Harry Thalhimer presented four recipients with MCV Foundation awards during the dinner reception. Longtime donor and VCU friend C. Kenneth Wright (H.L.D.’11) received the Michael B. Dowdy Award, for a volunteer who has played a lead role fundraising for the MCV Campus. In 2015, Wright made a gift to name the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. His giving to the university is more than $40 million. Kenneth Ellenbogen, M.D., received the Robert Irby Award, which is presented to a faculty member who has assisted with major fundraising efforts. As chair of the Division of Cardiology and director of clinical cardiac electrophysiology and pacing, Ellenbogen is a champion of the Pauley Heart Center and has helped raise millions of dollars from grateful patients. John Martin received the Eugene P. Trani MCV Campus
Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional dedication and support of the MCV Campus. Martin served on the MCV Foundation board for more than 20 years, chairing the communications committee and playing a key role in the foundation’s brand refresh by leading a brand research project. John Duval received the Jerome F. Strauss Award, which is given to VCU Health personnel who have demonstrated extraordinary service and stewardship to MCV Campus alumni, donors or other members of the community. Duval served as CEO of VCU Hospitals and Clinics and vice president for clinical affairs for 13 years. Under his leadership, VCU was recognized as one of the top hospitals in the country and the top hospital in Virginia. In addition, Thalhimer announced that in the fall, MCV Foundation will present MCV Hospitals Auxiliary with a special award to recognize its long-term relationship with VCU Health. MCV Hospitals Auxiliary provides support to patients, visitors and staff of VCU Health through service and fundraising, which includes funding more than 50 patient comfort and employee support projects each year. To learn more about the MCV Foundation, contact Brian S. Thomas, vice president and chief development officer, at (804) 828-0067 or brian.thomas@ vcuhealth.org.
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