JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Hospital Association presented a 2007 Excellence in Governance award to William R. Riggs, board treasurer of Liberty Hospital, in recognition of his contributions to the health care community.
Riggs was one of six trustees from across the state honored during a June 14 presentation at MHA’s annual Leadership Forum in Lake Ozark, Mo. Since 2005, Riggs has served as board treasurer at Liberty Hospital. He previously served as board president from 1998 to 2001 and board secretary from 2003 to 2004.
“Bill is a man of action who believes in carefully thinking through issues and then working diligently to accomplish the goals set by the hospital and the board,” said Joseph W. Crossett, administrator of Liberty Hospital. “Because of his servant-leadership example, the Liberty community and its health care needs will be better served by the next generation of leaders.”
A founding member of the Liberty Meals on Wheels program, Riggs has served as president of the Liberty Public School System’s Board of Education and as a trustee of the Missouri Baptist Home for the Aged. In 1996, William Jewel College in Liberty, Mo., recognized him with its Lifetime Alumni Service Award.
Since 1985, MHA’s Excellence in Governance award has been given annually to hospital trustees for their dedication to exceptional health care. Award recipients are chosen by MHA’s district council presidents.
Other award recipients include John W. “Jack” Forbes, former board president of I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs, Mo.; Dean C. Henricksen, president of the Spelman Medical Foundation of Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.; Donald G. LaFerla, board chair of McCune-Brooks Hospital in Carthage, Mo.; Merlyn Shephard, board member of Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Mo.; and Maurice Watson, board member of Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 141 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its members, the association offers continuing education programs on current health topics and seeks to educate the public, as well as legislative representatives, about health care issues.
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