Adrienne Blackwell joins FOUNDATION STAFF

BY DEBORAH STANUCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON MASTERS

BARNEY LARRY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BAXTER REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION AND VICE PRESIDENT/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BAXTER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, HAS ANNOUNCED ADRIENNE BLACKWELL, FORMER BRANCH SALES MANAGER AT ARVEST BANK, HAS JOINED THE BAXTER REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION AS DEFERRED GIFT OFFICER. Blackwell served on the Hospital Foundation Board of Directors for seven years, most recently as the Annual Gift Committee Chairman and previously as Vice President and Treasurer before joining the Foundation staff.

“We are delighted and honored to have Adrienne on our staff,” said Larry. “After serving on our Foundation Board and Annual Gift Committee, we knew she was the right person for this very important job. She has excellent one-on-one relationship skills and is the person we want to convey to our donors their critical importance to the hospital.

“The donors who give deferred gifts to Baxter Regional through their wills, estates or trusts are leaving a legacy to Baxter Regional. Their gifts enable the hospital to achieve our goals and remain independent. They make it possible for us to fulfill our mission, ‘to provide excellent care for every patient every time’; and achieve our purpose, ‘to preserve Baxter Regional as a comprehensive, independent, community-driven health system in order to optimize access to quality healthcare for patients in the communities we serve.’”

As Deferred Gift Officer, Blackwell will work closely with Randall Drake, Chairman of the Deferred Gift Committee.

“I consider Baxter Regional the crown jewel of our community,” said Drake. “We are fortunate to live in a community with a hospital of this caliber with multiple services vital to the health and lifestyle of our community.

“Deferred giving is a way to support the hospital and give back to the community while maintaining your assets and resources during your lifetime. With deferred giving, no funds come from the donor’s gift until the time of the donor’s death. It’s a great way to give to the hospital and community you love.

“The foundation formed the Legacy Society as a way to show deferred donors how important they are to the hospital and to thank them for their generosity and support,” explained Nell Ponder, Legacy Society Chairman. “We are treated like family and enjoy having fun together and getting to know each other. If one of us is in need, the foundation is there to help us.

“Before COVID, we were able to gather for cookouts, parties and take day trips to Branson or Crystal Bridges. We still find ways to spend time together, building friendships and sharing each other’s company. We know how much we are appreciated by the foundation and our importance to the hospital. It’s a special bond we all share.”

“I owe my life to Baxter Regional,” said Drake. “It’s wonderful to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing we have high-quality healthcare at Baxter Regional right here in our community that will continue for generations.”