Event raises $2.2 million for Methodist
Methodist Health System Foundation in Dallas honored David B. Miller as the 2017 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipient at its signature fundraiser on Nov 2. 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.
The Honorable Jeanne Phillips, served as event co-chair along with Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Lottye and Bobby Lyle and Gail and Gerald Turner. Phillips was the mistress of ceremonies for the event, attended by nearly 900 people.
“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,” Phillips stated.
Former President George W. Bush, via video, congratulated Miller. The invocation was given by Dr. Andrew C. Stoker, pastor to Carolyn and David Miller and senior minister of First United Methodist Church in 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,” he said.
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, Methodist Health System president and CEO, 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 No. 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,” he said.
R. Gerald Turner, president of Southern Methodist University, 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.
“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,” Miller said. “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 and Winstead PC.
Lead photo: Steve Folsom, Methodist Foundation Board of Trustees chairman and Folsom Co. president; David B. Miller, 2017 Methodist Folsom award recipient, co-founder and managing partner of EnCap Investments; Jim Johnston, Methodist Health System Foundation president; Stephen L. Mansfield, Methodist Health System president and CEO.
