Offices, Awards and Honors

Hundreds Pay Tribute to Medical Professionals

Tribute to Medical Professionals Lufkin—Nov 5, 2009 - The Pitser Garrison Civic Center was filled with health care professionals Thursday night for the second annual "Salute to Healthcare" banquet, which honors those in the East Texas medical field with several awards. The banquet is hosted by the Lufkin / Angelina County Chamber of Commerce.

(pictured left to right: Dr. Anna Beth Connell, Dr. Sid Roberts, Ward Burke, and Cathy Busbee)

Last year's banquet held 37 tables full of attendees, while this year's group filled the room with 60 tables and more than 450 people in attendance. "It is so nice to see so many friends in attendance tonight. Having grown up in this medical community, I came to respect medicine and the East Texas way of medicine at a young age," said Tara Watson, chairman of the banquet. "I am honored and proud to work with you and call you my family and friends. Your dedication and love for your patients and your respect for each other is to be commended."

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce chairman Todd Kassaw opened the evening with a little history of the Angelina County medical field. "The city of Lufkin was founded in 1882. By 1886 there were two physicians practicing in Lufkin, Dr. A.H. DuBose and Dr. W.B. Treadwell. Lufkin's population at that time was about 100 people," Kassaw said. "From those early days of a two-doctor town, Lufkin has mushroomed into a city of more than 34,000 people. Lufkin has always been a progressive, people-powered town with many energetic and ambitious leaders striving to improve and advance our community."

A few medical history facts about Angelina County:

In 1961 the old Angelina County Hospital was renovated, added to and the name changed to Woodland Heights General Hospital. It moved to its current location in 1982.
Lufkin's Memorial Hospital, now Memorial Health System of East Texas, was opened on May 12, 1949. It was started by a group of industrialists.
In 1961, a physician by the name of Dr. Anna Beth Connell had made it to the top for women in her field – she had become president of the Angelina County Medical Society.

Guest speaker, Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of the Cooper Clinic, in Dallas, kept the crowd attentive with his speech on physical health and altering our behaviors to stay healthy as long as possible.

The end of the ceremony concluded with this year's awards, handed out by Kassaw and Van Watson.

The "Nurse of the Year" award went to Cathy Perry Busbee, a nurse who was instrumental in the development of the open-heart surgery program at Woodland Heights Medical Center.
The "Individual of Merit" award went to Ward Burke, who co-founded the Association for Retarded Citizens of Angelina County, an organization that was the initial force for the creation of the Lufkin State School.
The "Healthcare Professional of the Year" award went to Dr. Sidney Roberts, who has served as the medical director of Memorial's Arthur Temple Sr. Regional Cancer Center in Lufkin, and also as a medical director served for Hospice in the Pines since 1995.
The "Lifetime Achievement" award was given to Connell, the first and only female physician in Lufkin for a quarter century, and who was the first female president of the Angelina County Medical Society in 1961. "I have so many colleagues that deserve this award more than I do," Connell said. "I'm just honored to be here tonight."

American Cancer Society Honors Sidney C. Roberts, MD, with Lifetime Achievement

Cancer Society Logo Houston—March 24, 2008 - Lufkin resident Sidney C. Roberts, MD, was recently honored with an American Cancer Society Lifetime Achievement award for his 20 years of dedicated volunteer service. Dr. Roberts received recognition at a ceremony near Houston.

Lifetime Achievement awards recognize volunteers in the Society's High Plains Division for their longstanding leadership and commitment to the fight against cancer. Presented annually, six volunteers from the Division, serving a multi-state area that includes Kansas, Hawaii, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, received honors this year from the Board of Directors. Volunteers qualify for this recognition having served in three or more leadership positions with the Society and having volunteered for 15 years or longer. In addition, awardees consistently demonstrate dedication to the Society's mission.

For the last fourteen years, Dr. Roberts has committed his volunteer time and energy to easing the terrible burden of cancer on patients throughout East Texas. In 2001, Dr. Roberts was serving as Medical Director of the Arthur Temple, Sr. Regional Cancer Center, Chair of the Cancer Committee at Memorial Health System of East Texas, Vice Chief of Staff for the Memorial Health System of East Texas, and president of the Angelina County Unit of the American Cancer Society. As a radiation oncologist, he saw firsthand the daily difficulties faced by those diagnosed with cancer. In order to better assess the varied needs of local patients - and hence develop a plan of action - a detailed study focusing on access to care was conducted. This assessment provided the evidence needed to proceed with the development of the Patient Navigator Program and Susan R. Mathis Resource Center.

Dr. Roberts felt strongly that in order to provide the best possible service to cancer patients that the physical location of a new American Cancer Society building housing the Navigator program and Resource Center needed to be near the cancer center, hospital and physician offices. This resulted in a contribution of prime land in that neighborhood. Ultimately, more than $1.2 million was raised to fund the Resource Center and Patient Navigator Program as well as office space for the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Roberts' leadership in the funding, support and implementation of the Patient Navigator Program in Lufkin was critical in bringing this concept to fruition. This program consists of a Master's Level Oncology Social Worker that serves 14 rural East Texas counties and assists patients in navigating the healthcare system and connects them with resources available in their communities. The Patient Navigator Program also addresses disparities by ensuring equal access to healthcare and information and is serving more than 40 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer in the area.

"I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Roberts for many years," said Letha Tullos, vice president for the American Cancer Society East Texas Region. "His dedication and efforts have helped to ease the suffering of many patients facing cancer in our community."

In 2006, Dr. Roberts was recognized with the St. George National Award which is the highest award the national Society bestows upon a state-level volunteer.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

American Cancer Society Recognizes Texas Volunteer with St. George National Award

Cancer Society Logo Austin—November 17, 2006 - The American Cancer Society recognized Sidney C. Roberts, MD of Lufkin, with the prestigious St. George National Award. The St. George Award is the highest award that the national board of directors of the American Cancer Society bestows upon a state-level volunteer.

Each year, the St. George Award is presented to an outstanding American Cancer Society Division volunteer in recognition of distinguished service to the Society. To be nominated for the national award, a volunteer must have served in a leadership position with the Society for a minimum of six continuous years and made a significant impact on, and contributed to the furtherance of the Society's strategic goals and mission-driven programs. The volunteer must have represented the American Cancer Society in a manner that advances the cause, and demonstrated a continuing commitment to the Society through a willingness to serve.

Cancer Society Award For the last fourteen years, Dr. Roberts has committed his volunteer time and energy to easing the terrible burden of cancer on patients throughout East Texas. In 2001, Dr. Roberts was serving as Medical Director of the Arthur Temple, Sr. Regional Cancer Center, Chair of the Cancer Committee at Memorial Health System of East Texas, Vice Chief of Staff for the Memorial Health System of East Texas, and president of the Angelina County Unit of the American Cancer Society. As a radiation oncologist, he saw firsthand the daily difficulties faced by those diagnosed with cancer. In order to better assess the varied needs of local patients - and hence develop a plan of action - a detailed study focusing on access to care was conducted. This assessment provided the evidence needed to proceed with the development of the Patient Navigator Program and Susan R. Mathis Resource Center.

"I am blessed to work in a community where individuals and foundations are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and help one another," Dr. Roberts said. "I could not and did not do this alone. I am honored to be recognized for such a prestigious award, and feel that this really acknowledges an entire community of volunteers and supporters of the American Cancer Society over many years." As a radiation oncologist, Dr. Roberts is dedicated to serving the needs of the patient. "He understands that cancer is not just a medical condition, but encompasses many psychosocial issues and works hard to ensure the whole patient is treated," said Letha Tullos, vice president for the East Texas Region for the American Cancer Society. "Dr. Roberts has never declined an opportunity to assist the American Cancer Society in meeting our mission, whether in involves educating the community, serving patients, or helping us meet our financial needs."

Butch McMullen Silver Spike Award

The Leadership Lufkin alumni presented the prestigious Butch McMullen Silver Spike award for 2006 to Emily Watts at the July First Friday Luncheon at Crown Colony Country Club.

Watts currently serves on nine boards, including Hospice in the Pines, Drug Free Business Task Force, and Pride Providers. She was a founding member of the Angelina Arts Alliance and currently serves as president of that board.

According to Dr. Sid Roberts, presenter of the Silver Spike Award to Watts, "Emily is one of the most incredible people I know. Her constant smile, cherry attitude and 'can do' spirit are infectious. When she is involved in an organization, it is never in name only. She often takes the leadership reins and leaves her mark in a positive way."

Watts also has served and volunteered with the Chamber Coalition for a Better Community, Angelina Beautiful/Clean, Boys and Girls Club, Leadership Lufkin, American Heart Association, Museum of East Texas, Lufkin's First Baptist Church, and the Tri-Ethnic Board.

She is also very involved with the Junior League of Lufkin, having previously served as secretary, president-elect, and president of the organization. She was awarded the JLL Volunteer of the Year Award in 2000 and the JLL Sustainer of the Year Award in 2006.

Watts, who resides in Lufkin, is the Personnel Director for Brookshire Brothers Food and Pharmacy. She has two children, Chip and Lindsey. The Silver Spike award is named in honor of Butch McMullen, who was a graduate of one of the first Leadership Lufkin classes. The Silver Spike is designed to honor a body of work over time that demonstrates great leadership qualities.

Previous Silver Spike Winners are:
1991 - Trey Henderson
1992 - Sheila Telford
1993 - Dr. Patricia McKenzie
1994 - Ronnie Robinson
1995 - Kevin Smithhart
1996 - Bettie Williams
1997 - Connie Kennedy
1998 - David Perkins
1999 - Patricia Jones
2000 - Dr. Sidney Roberts
2001 - Bonnie Denmon
2002 - Debbie NewsonÊ
2003 - Randy George
2004 - Todd Kassaw
2005 - Andra Self
2006 - Emily Watts