IHA Awards Ceremony Recipients

Dr. Box of Indiana Dept. of Health Honored with John C. Render Award for Health Policy at IHA Annual Membership Meeting

INDIANAPOLIS – Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana Department of Health State Health Commissioner was awarded the John C. Render Award for Health Policy by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) at its 2020 annual meeting, which was held virtually on October 29.

Established in 2011, the IHA John C. Render Award for Health Policy is the association's highest honor and is presented to individuals who have had a significant influence on health care policy affecting Indiana hospitals. A senior partner at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath, and Lyman, John also served as the IHA Assistant General Counsel and General Counsel for 46 years and played a pivotal role in shaping health care policy in the state of Indiana.  ​

Dr. Kristina Box was named Indiana State Health Commissioner by Governor Eric Holcomb in September 2017. As a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist in Indianapolis for 30 years, she brought a passion for improving the health of Hoosiers, with a special emphasis on maternal and infant mortality. She fully dedicated herself to Governor Holcomb's goal of Indiana becoming “best in the Midwest" in infant and maternal mortality by 2024.

“Dr. Box is a highly effective champion for improving outcomes for moms and babies in our state," said IHA President Brian Tabor. “Then came COVID-19, a health care crisis unprecedented in our lifetime and for which there was no playbook. Kris has provided incredible leadership during a very difficult time and has been a calm presence throughout this crisis for more than 6 million Hoosiers. Indiana hospitals are truly grateful that she is serving at this moment in our state's history," he said.

Dr. Box co-chairs the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (IPQIC), an advisory council to the Indiana Department of Health that is comprised of more than 300 statewide community professionals working to reduce infant mortality. Her work with IPQIC includes serving on a state task force to address neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which established standards for the diagnosis of NAS and developed a hospital study to determine the prevalence of drug-exposed newborns. “It is a testimony to her leadership and focus that, even during this pandemic, Indiana recorded historic improvements in infant mortality this year."  

Dr. Box earned her undergraduate degree at Indiana University in Bloomington and her medical doctorate at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Indiana State Medical Association and the Marion County Medical Association, and serves on many hospital committees.

Dr. Darren Brucken of Terre Haute Regional Hospital Awarded Caregiver Award at IHA Annual Membership Meeting​

INDIANAPOLIS – Dr. Darren Brucken was honored with the Douglas J. Leonard Indiana Caregiver of the Year Award at the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) 2020 Annual Meeting held virtually on October 29.

The Douglas J. Leonard Indiana Caregiver of the Year Award recognizes an individual in the health care industry whose performance in the delivery of care is considered exemplary by patients and peers. Dr. Brucken, a family medicine physician, has served as the medical director of Terre Haute Regional Hospital's hospitalist medicine service for many years. During that time, he has demonstrated an unparalleled dedication to his patients, the hospital, and the community.

Dr. Brucken has earned the respect of medical staff and peers and serves on several hospital committees. In the 2020 medical staff survey, Dr. Brucken colleagues recognized Dr. Brucken for his expertise, communication and feedback, and his ability to see patients in a timely. His fellow physicians also gave very high marks to the hospitalist program he oversees, which ranked at the 94th percentile nationwide.

In addition to his hospital position, Dr. Brucken serves as the Vigo County Medical Officer. The responsibilities and requirements of this role have changes substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Dr. Brucken has been at the forefront of his community' fight against the disease and he has participated in countless interviews, phone calls, in-person education sessions, social media campaigns, and various other requests for his time and expertise to support the Terre Haute region," said IHA President Brian Tabor. “Dr. Brucken has worked countless hours to sustain a strong response in Vigo County, based on scientific data and adherence to state and federal guidelines."

As a founding member of Passion, Initiative, Need, Knowledge (P.I.N.K.) of Terre Haute, Dr. Brucken works in the community to help those affected by breast cancer. P.I.N.K. is a non-profit organization that helps fulfill the everyday, unmet needs of those with breast cancer. Dr. Brucken was inspired to start P.I.N.K. after the unfortunate death of his close friend, and patient, Amy Bagnoche. Through its fundraising efforts, P.I.N.K has helped thousands of people in the Wabash Valley deal with the unexpected hardships that frequently come with caring for someone with breast cancer.

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Robin Meffert of Schneck Medical Center Awarded Administrative Professional Excellence Award at IHA Annual Membership Meeting​​

INDIANAPOLIS – Robin Meffert, Executive Assistant at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, IN has been awarded the Administrative Professional Excellence Award by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) at its 2020 annual meeting which was held virtually on October 29.

IHA established this award to honor excellence in administrative professional service. It honors the legacy of Mikell Rose Brown, who set high standards of service to Hoosier hospitals as an IHA administrative assistant for 25 years.

“Robin has served for more than two decades and is very deserving of this recognition. I know everyone at Schneck is grateful for all she does and her dedication to the Schneck team," said Brian Tabor, Indiana Hospital Association President. “I have also worked with her over my twelve years at IHA, and I am so appreciative of her support for the Association.", Tabor added.

Assisting several senior leaders at Schneck Medical Center over the past 21 years, including the recently retired President and CEO Warren Forgey, Robin has helped them become more effective in their positions due to her broad skill set and tireless support. She has been entrusted with a wide range of duties and never fails to go above and beyond what is expected of her.

“Members of the Schneck team shared that Robin often anticipates their needs and provides resources to the President and CEO without being asked," Tabor said. Robin also was a leader in Schneck Medical Center's successful effort to receive the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2011.  ​

John (Jack) Horner of Major Hospital awarded Distinguished Service Award at IHA Annual Membership Meeting

INDIANAPOLIS – John (Jack) Horner, President, and CEO, Major Hospital in Shelbyville, IN was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) at its 2020 annual meeting which was held virtually on October 29.

The IHA Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding personal achievement in support of the humanitarian and management goals of Indiana health care institutions. Horner was recognized for his many accomplishments in enhancing hospital services in Shelbyville, being a community leader in health care, and advancing the profession of hospital administration.

“Major Hospital has exponentially grown in recent years to help better serve the patients in Shelbyville and its surrounding areas," said IHA President Brian Tabor. “As president and CEO, Jack has been instrumental in expanding access to services in the community, including wellness services. He is a true servant leader and works to strategically meet the needs of his community while looking out for each individual patient," Tabor added.

During Horner's tenure, Major has experienced tremendous growth, a significant expansion in the services provided to the community and done so while maintaining high-quality rankings and low costs. In 2017, Major Hospital opened a new $100+ million medical center in a 60-acre park located off I-74. Immediately after the successful transition to the new facility, Horner began formulating a plan to migrate the entire health system to a new electronic medical record system. This monumental undertaking required 12 months of coordination to move Major to a single enterprise medical record.  Horner has overseen significant investments to bring much-needed inpatient and outpatient dialysis, including the construction and development of a new dialysis center. Horner has also placed tremendous importance in investments in the economic development of the community he serves, including the construction on the Major Health Partners Community Health and Wellness Center and YMCA, which is scheduled for completion in early 2021.  ​

Horner has served as the President and CEO of Major Hospital for twelve years and has been with the hospital since 1988, serving in multiple positions including Vice President, Director of Ancillary Clinical Services, and Manager of Pharmacy. Jack is a Shelbyville native and returned to pursue a career in pharmacy after attending Purdue University. Many in the community personally know Jack and know they can depend on him for the development and continued growth of their local healthcare system.

Robin Meffert of Schneck Medical Center Awarded Administrative Professional Excellence Award at IHA Annual Membership Meeting

INDIANAPOLIS – Robin Meffert, Executive Assistant at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, IN has been awarded the Administrative Professional Excellence Award by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) at its 2020 annual meeting which was held virtually on October 29.

IHA established this award to honor excellence in administrative professional service. It honors the legacy of Mikell Rose Brown, who set high standards of service to Hoosier hospitals as an IHA administrative assistant for 25 years.

“Robin has served for more than two decades and is very deserving of this recognition. I know everyone at Schneck is grateful for all she does and her dedication to the Schneck team," said Brian Tabor, Indiana Hospital Association President. “I have also worked with her over my twelve years at IHA, and I am so appreciative of her support for the Association.", Tabor added.

Assisting several senior leaders at Schneck Medical Center over the past 21 years, including the recently retired President and CEO Warren Forgey, Robin has helped them become more effective in their positions due to her broad skillset and tireless support. She has been entrusted with a wide range of duties and never fails to go above and beyond what is expected of her.

“Members of the Schneck team shared that Robin often anticipates their needs and provides resources to the President and CEO without being asked," Tabor said. Robin also was a leader in Schneck Medical Center's successful effort to receive the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2011.  ​

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