News

Beebe Medical Foundation 2007 Beebe Honors Awards to be Presented Thursday

08/16/07

Reservations are still being taken to attend the Fourth Annual Beebe Medical Center Dinner & Ceremony on Thursday, August 23, 2007, at The Clubhouse at Baywood Greens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For reservations and information call the Beebe Medical Foundation at (302) 644-2900.

The four prestigious, philanthropic and service awards honor individuals who have made a significant difference to Beebe Medical Center and the quality of healthcare it brings to the community. This year's awardees are: the Honorable Eugene D. Bookhammer, the Longwood Foundation, E. James Monihan, LFACHE, and Christine M. Strauss.

The Honorable Eugene D. Bookhammer is being honored with the 2007 Lifetime Commitment Award. This award is given periodically to an individual or family whose lifetime commitment has significantly advanced the mission, values and goals of Beebe Medical Center and Beebe Medical Foundation. Mr. Bookhammer, a Sussex County native who earned two Purple Hearts during World War II, in 1959 joined the Beebe Medical Center Board of Directors. He has supported the Medical Center through strategic involvement and fundraising efforts ever since.

He served as Chairman of the Board for Beebe Medical Center from 1976 to 1981, and continues to serve as a Board member. Today, he serves as Chairman of the Board of the Beebe Medical Foundation. During his present tenure as Foundation Board Chairman, more than $12.5 million was raised for the Vision 2005 Capital Campaign, a record in Beebe Medical Center's 91-year history.

Mr. Bookhammer attended Lewes High School with his closest friend Dr. James Beebe, Jr. He started a wholesale/retail lumber company and later became a land developer. He served as a state senator from 1962 to 1968. He served as Lt. Governor for the state of Delaware from 1969 to 1977, and was the only Lt. Governor to serve under two governors of different political parties. From 1976 to 1983, he was a member of the National Republican Committee. He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Potentate of the Shriners.


The Longwood Foundation will be recognized this year with The John W. Rollins Award, presented to an established humanitarian and philanthropist. The Longwood Foundation, established in 1937 by Pierre S. du Pont, has given longstanding support to Beebe Medical Center. Its support dates back more than 30 years. Most recently, the Longwood Foundation contributed $750,000 to help complete the Tunnell Cancer Center Campaign. It contributed $1 million to the Vision 2000 campaign, and $1 million for the Vision 2005 Campaign, making it Beebe's largest philanthropic donor.

Longwood's support has been for several of Beebe's most important initiatives. The Foundation has helped to build new facilities with improved accessibility and the finest equipment such as the Tunnell Cancer Center. The Foundation's support of the Vision 2005 campaign was integral to the expansion of Beebe's Emergency Department and the construction of the new Critical Care unit and Surgical Unit. These new facilities will add approximately 60 patient beds, as well as doubling the size of the Emergency Department.

E. James Monihan, LFACHE, will be honored with the 2007 Robert W. Tunnell Award. This award is presented to a member of the Beebe Medical Center family who has directly helped Beebe meet future healthcare challenges and to insure that it maintains its leadership in healthcare. Jim Monihan came to Beebe Medical Center in 1962 as Director of Pharmacy Services and has dedicated himself to serving our patients, the hospital, and the community ever since. His work ethic, sense of humor, and ability to develop personal relationships both inside and outside the medical center made him an invaluable member of the Beebe team. Over the years, he served in many positions including Assistant Administrator; Vice President, Operations; Vice President, Professional Affairs; and Interim CEO. He initiated the quality assurance program, started the medical center's corporate compliance program and managed the many construction and renovation projects over the years, to name just a few of his accomplishments. Outside the medical center he was very active in his professional organization the American College of Healthcare Executives, and was elected by his peers as the Regent for the State of Delaware from 1990 to 1994.

The volunteer fire service and emergency life-saving programs have been of special importance to Mr. Monihan, who for many years served as the Chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council. In 1999 he was the first recipient of the Mason G. Lankford Award from the Congressional Fire Service Institute, which recognizes a volunteer firemen for his years of service and duty to the community. He served in many leadership capacities with the Lewes Fire Department and his knowledge of both hospital and volunteer fire-fighting issues earned him a position as the Governor's Appointee to the Delaware Emergency Medicine Service Advisory Council.
Since his retirement on January 1, 2005, he continues to serve Beebe Medical Center as Special Consultant, bringing his experience to the construction projects at both the Beebe Health Campus and at the main campus in Lewes.

Christine M. Strauss will be recognized this year as the 2007 Norman B. Baylis Awardee. The Norman B. Baylis Award is presented to a distinguished community member, honoring that person for outstanding service to healthcare and the broader community. Her first role was as chairperson of the Beebe Medical Foundation's "Best of the Beach" Art Auction decade ago. While the Art Auction and Dinner was already known for supporting both Beebe Medical Center and the Rehoboth Art League, it was her efforts that helped to make this event a highlight of the summer social season.

Ms. Strauss chaired "Best of the Beach" for eight years. From the very beginning of her tenure, she recruited people from the community to form an enlarged planning committee. She encouraged the physicians to become more involved, created a teen committee, and supported the establishment of a "pre-gala" party.

Ms. Strauss has become well known for the vitality, creativity and elegance she has brought to this popular fundraising event, as well as to other community projects she has undertaken. She also has been actively involved in the Beebe Medical Foundation Thanksgiving Ball, which she has chaired this year and last.

Her creative touch was evident at the Sussex County Land Trust ball, a fundraising event that she has chaired. She was on the founding committee of the Henlopen Theatre Project, an organization that fosters theatre arts in the community, and has been active with the Rehoboth Beach Main Street. Before moving to the area, she initiated the Friends of Coastal Hospice, the fundraising arm of Coastal Hospice in Salisbury, Maryland. She also was the public relations director for Hospice of South Florida at its inception.

Ms. Strauss was educated as a surgical intensive care nurse. She helped to run a successful radiation/oncology practices in Maryland and Delaware for 23 years. In 1996, she became involved in the local real estate industry. She is presently Director of Sales for Ocean Atlantic Agency in Rehoboth, where she was named Employee of the Year in 2004 and Top Listing Agent in 2005. In 2006 she earned the Chairman's Award for Ocean Atlantic Companies.

Beebe applauds the awardees for their generous contributions and tireless dedication to Beebe Medical Center and Foundation.

Beebe Medical Foundation was established in 1989 with the sole mission to raise philanthropic support for Beebe Medical Center. The Foundation is located at 902 Savannah Road, Lewes DE 19958. For more information on the Foundation, please call the office at (302) 644-2900, or visit us online at www.beebemedicalfoundation.org

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org