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AUSTIN (Oct. 9, 2009) – Keith Butler, chief executive officer of Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital in Sonora, has been honored with the Texas Hospital Association’s Pioneer Award, an annual award that recognizes excellence in rural hospital management. Butler will receive the award at a luncheon during the Texas Rural Health Forum, Nov. 10, in Austin. The award is sponsored by THA’s Rural Hospital Constituency Section.
Butler was selected for the honor by the constituency section’s governing council, which is comprised of fellow rural hospital administrators from around the state
Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital is a 12-bed public hospital operated by the Sutton County Hospital District. During Butler’s eight-year tenure there, the hospital has grown from a struggling rural facility to a thriving and progressive health and wellness center for the community.
“What’s amazing is that Keith has accomplished this growth through good management, with no tax increases and no bond issue – a truly amazing feat,” said Sutton County Judge Carla Garner.
Construction of a replacement hospital and wellness center was completed in 2005, and a second major building program currently is underway. The hospital’s services include state-of-the-art diagnostics, physical therapy, wound care, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. LMH also has embraced the use of advanced technology, including wireless telemetry for patient monitoring and a complete electronic health records system.
“Keith is one of those rare individuals gifted at seeing around corners. He has anticipated opportunities and threats to LMH long before they manifested, and he has shown flexibility and dexterity in seizing the opportunities and minimizing the threats,” said Lewis Allen, president of the LMH Hospital Board of Directors.
When Butler realized that a lack of acceptable housing was hindering the hospital’s efforts to recruit professional staff, he decided to do something about it. Over the past three years, Butler has overseen the construction of three new residences, available for rent to hospital employees, as well as the purchase of an eight-unit apartment complex.
Many of his colleagues in hospital administration praised Butler’s ability to think outside the box. “Keith’s most innovative accomplishment has been in his ability to recruit and retain employees in a small, remote community,” said Tim Jones, administrator/chief executive officer of Heart of Texas Memorial Hospital in Brady. “The ingenious concept of providing housing for visiting health care providers and permanent employees is nothing short of brilliant.”
Butler, an emergency medical technician-licensed paramedic who volunteers numerous hours responding to emergency calls and training local EMS responders, holds a degree in business from Angelo State University. He is active in a number of professional and civic organizations. He currently serves on the board of HealthSHARE, a THA subsidiary company, and he is a past board member of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals. He has served in leadership positions with the Concho Valley Council on Trauma (Service Area K), and is a past president of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce. Butler is a graduate of Leadership San Angelo’s Class of 2000.
Butler and his wife, Rose, are the proud parents of two daughters. Emily attends Texas Tech University and is completing her paramedic license requirements, and Amelia is a junior at Sonora High School.
“Keith is a man of character who cares deeply for his community, his hospital and rural health care,” noted colleague Lance Keilers, administrator of Ballinger Memorial Hospital, who spearheaded Butler’s nomination for the award. “I can think of no one more deserving of the Texas Hospital Association’s Pioneer Award.”
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About Texas Hospital Association
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 85 percent of the state’s hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 340,000 health care professionals statewide. To learn more, visit www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/texashospitals.
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