Thursday Baylor Health Care System’s headman Joel Allison found himself surrounded by a ballroom full of healthy, happy people. While normally that wouldn’t be a big deal. Joel is often in big rooms with lots of smiling folks. But this time they were all there at Belo Mansion to see him receive the 9th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award.
Presented by Bank of Texas and Texas Woman’s University, the luncheon was slated to have an additional perk — Ebby Halliday was to be the honorary event chair. But, alas, Ebby was unable to make it to receive a white TWU hat. However, Virginia Chandler Dykes handled the situation seamlessly explaining that the white hat would be sent to Ebby (ages ago, Ebby sold hats) immediately. Everyone knows that Ebby is a hat expert from her early days as a chapeau sales gal.
Why white? “White – because Ebby is one of the good guys,” Virginia said.
Then it was on to Joel’s time in the spotlight. Last year’s award recipient Kathleen Mason introduced Joel saying, “Well, if I couldn’t win the award two years in a row, I’m happy that Joel is receiving it!”
Joel wasn’t about to let Kathleen have the last laugh. He started his acceptance saying that if his mother had been there, “she would be proud, but his mother-in-law would be in shock.”
Then he got on to serious stuff saying, that he was humbled and honored to receive the award, but he was accepting it on behalf of all the men and women of Baylor Health Care System.
Joel then discussed Texas Woman’s University and Baylor’s sharing “a common interest…excellence in the medical field. TWU has a long history of providing excellence and is a valuable resource to the area, the region and the state, providing well-trained men and women who make a huge impact in health care.”
Turning tables on the organizers, Joel recognized and honored his friend/Bank of Texas Chairman of the Board/CEO Norm Bagwell, TWU Chancellor and President Dr. Ann Stuart and Virginia.
“Virginia, a great friend with truly exemplary attributes…innovator, advocate, philanthropist and a true servant leader who has left a legacy at Baylor,” Joel said.
Just in case you aren’t up to date on Virginia, she is a TWU alumna, and was the director of the Occupational and Recreational Therapy Department at Baylor University Medical Center for 25 years.
Joel’s mother-in-law might have been surprised at the day’s recognition, but no one else in the room was.
Photos by Kristina Bowman