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Posted February 2010 Children's Hospital leader chosen as finalist for Philanthropist of the Year  Friends of Children's Hospital recently nominated Dr. Owen B. Evans as the 2009 VIP Jackson Magazine's Philanthropist of the Year. He and four other nominees were selected as finalists and will be honored during a dinner on June 4th hosted by VIP Jackson Magazine and Cellular South. The winner will be chosen partially by The Clarion-Ledger Operating Committee and partially from online voting by the general public. The finalist chosen will receive $5,000 for their charity. To join Friends in voting for Dr. Evans, please visit www.vipjacksonmag.com. Excerpts from Dr. Evans' nomination: Dr. Owen B. Evans has dedicated his professional life to advancing health care for Mississippi's youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Few can match his devotion to helping the sick and injured children of our state. Having served as chairman of the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Department of Pediatrics since 1989, his efforts have focused on doing what is best for all of our children. If that meant raising the money to build a new Children's Hospital, then he did it. If it meant finding a way to recruit stellar physicians, he did it. If it meant having a vision of what this state needs to treat its children and making sure these needs are met, he did it. All while caring for his patients and leading the Children's Hospital, Evans has reached out to his community in ways that most of his colleagues don't even know about it. He goes about his work quietly because he knows it matters. He sees what the community has done for the Children's Hospital and he knows one person can truly make a difference. And so he gives back. Each year he travels to Honduras for a week with a church group on a medical mission. He treats children in remote parts of the country who otherwise would not have the opportunity to see a doctor. He has been serving his church in this role for more than ten years. Indeed, lives have been saved because of his work. He also serves as the on-site physician for the Muscular Dystrophy Association camp every summer. He stays at the camp and ensures that the medical needs of the campers are met. For many of these young children who face a life-threatening illness, the camp is an important part of their lives. Evans is not only a gifted physician but also has become quite an accomplished artist. To own one of his paintings is special because he does not sell his art. It can only be acquired by donating to a charity. Evans regularly donates paintings for charity art auctions with one hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these pieces benefiting the charities. He was a founding member of the Parents of Public Schools board of directors. As part of his commitment to public education, Evans serves as the superintendent of the Children's Hospital School. His vision for healthy kids includes education. Saving lives is not enough - he believes that all of the patients deserve an education and he has made sure they've gotten one while in the hospital's care. He also served on the founding board for the Ronald McDonald House and was instrumental in helping build Mississippi's only Ronald McDonald house. When Evans joined the staff of the Medical Center, there were philanthropic efforts underway to support the Children's Hospital. But few could imagine what was to come. He had a vision. And that vision was Friends of Children's Hospital. He knew it was possible to bring together the groups who wanted to support the hospital - the Junior League, the Ronald McDonald House, Candlelighters and the Children's Miracle Network. He knew they could all come together and create something bigger and better working as a team. And they did. "Bev Evans is the reason that Friends came about and continues to thrive," said Suzan Thames, chairman of the board. "He and his family have been supportive of all projects aimed at raising funds for children's hospital. Since the inception of Friends, Bev was always right there in the trenches with us. Whether it was slinging pancakes or advising us, he has always had the hospital foremost in his mind. Even with his already busy job, he always participates and is vital to all that Friends of Children's Hospital has accomplished. Bev provides the encouragement to keep Friends ever moving toward success." Through the work of the Friends of Children's Hospital, great things have happened to improve health care for Mississippi's children. And it was Evans' vision, his nurturing of this organization and his ability to inspire others to give back, to become philanthropists themselves that have made the difference. Evans and his wife Lynn have two grown children. Their son, Owen, a musician, shares his love of the "arts" with his Dad. And daughter Kathryn, inspired by her father, is in training to become a pediatrician. Their pride and joy is their grandson Aiden. This child is a lucky little boy - blessed with a grandfather who believes him to be perfect. Evans has been integral to the success of the Children's Hospital. The example he sets as a leader, as a philanthropist and volunteer and as a humble man devoted to his family and friends is an inspiration. Friends is proud to nominate this man of humility and kindness, a man who has committed his life to saving the lives of children for the Philanthropist of the Year award. |