Retired Kansas University professor William Coil began volunteering as a patient escort at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in 2002. After the 2009 death of his wife, Suzanne, Coil continued volunteering at the hospital as a way of getting himself out of the house.

“I was afraid I would become a recluse if I didn’t get out and see people,” he said. “I fell in love with the hospital as a volunteer.”

Wednesday night, Coil, along with seven other individuals and four businesses, were presented with the Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award for their contributions to local health care at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association’s annual meeting.

Caroline Trowbridge, the Endowment Association’s planned giving specialist, said the awards are reserved for those who “have given their time, talent or their treasure to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital.”

Those who give to the hospital are largely responsible for the facility’s continued success, said LMH CEO Gene Meyer.

“We don’t receive money from the town. We’re a standalone hospital,” he said. “We’re depending on resources through the endowment and through our own resources.”

Recapping the past year, LMHEA’s Board President Val Stella said the endowment surpassed $10 million. That victory allows the hospital to grow in the increasingly competitive medical field, he said.

“We could not hire the next bright young person to take care of you without providing the necessary tools for them to be successful,” he said.

Throughout the evening the association recognized many others like Coil, whose contributions have helped maintain and improve the hospital throughout the years.

As Stella addressed the crowd, he congratulated the endowment on their continued success, but reminded them their work is not yet finished. The organization’s goal is to reach $20 million by the year 2020, he said.

Recognizing the ambitious goal, Meyer told the crowd of the importance of the community’s continued investment in the hospital. He acknowledged the facility’s standing as one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation and said that those ongoing investments are what allow the facility to maintain its high standards.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our hospital is good,” he said. “And it is our desire to keep it that way.”

During the meeting, the association also welcomed new board members Becky Gibson, Jason Hoover, Todd Sutherland and Charles Yockey.

Individuals and businesses presented with the Elizabeth Watkins Community Caring Award were: Chris Barteldes, William Coil, Mary Jane Grinter, Kathleen Hall, Dick Orchard, Jackie Shmalberg, Dale Willey Automotive, Lawrence Emergency Medicine Associates, The Sandbar and Sandbar Subs, KU’s Sigma Nu fraternity, Kelly Hilmes and Greg Windholz.