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JRMC SALUTES RETIRING ADMINISTRATOR

By Judy Normand/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:29 PM CST

For nearly 500 members of the Jefferson Regional Medical Center family, friends and supporters, Thursday evening’s salute to “All Things Bob” sounded a bittersweet note.

Bob Atkinson (left) is greeted by Tommy May Thursday evening at the Roast. Special to the Commercial/Trish Ferrell

The “roast and toast” was held to honor the hospital’s leader for the past 18 years and to ensure the continuation of his legacy with the Robert P. Atkinson Hospital Administration & Leadership Scholarship Fund. The fund will provide yearly $10,000 scholarships for the next 10 years to those interested in obtaining advanced degrees in healthcare management and a willingness to return to Southeast Arkansas. During dinner, it was announced that the scholarship fund’s goal of $100,000 had been met.

“I woke up this morning and was sure it had all been a dream,” Atkinson said Friday, referring to the gala affair. “People came from near and far and it was ... well, just over the top!”

Thursday’s event also provided a platform for goodbyes — from those participating in the program, as well as from the hundreds in the audience as Atkinson, their president and chief executive officer emeritus (as of Oct. 1), prepares to retire. The occasion brought Atkinson to the stage for an emotional farewell.

“Wow. This is overwhelming. I think I need somebody to pinch me. I can’t believe they’ve asked me to say a few words. It’s really hard ... there are no words to describe how I feel,” Atkinson said, before showering some accolades of his own on “everyone” on his JRMC “team.”

Special thanks went to his medical staff and Wilbur West, a former chairman of the board Atkinson said was largely responsible for his being hired. He also singled out Tom Harbuck, a JRMC executive vice president and “an events planner extraordinaire,” Atkinson said, who was responsible for organizing the entire evening, from food (prepared by JRMC’s nutritional services staff and at least four chefs, brought in from four states to assist) and lavish decorations, with table centerpieces furnished by Shepherd’s Florist & Greenhouses Inc. Harbuck was also one of the performers in the musical numbers choreographed by Tanya Simpson.

Atkinson stepped to the podium only after tributes from the talented musical ensemble and a full program of well-intended jabs and jokes from friends, family and colleagues who, when the laughter faded, voiced their unconditional respect and admiration for the man who had, for nearly 20 years, “led, strengthened and embraced” the hospital and the Pine Bluff community.

“He’s made a huge impact, both professionally and personally,” said JRMC advertising and marketing spokesman, Lisa Rowland. “The hospital was in the red and within a year after Bob took over, we had a surplus and we’ve been in the black ever since.”

Rowland added that Atkinson will remain at JRMC until July to help with the transition for the incoming president and CEO, Walter Johnson, who will take the top spot after 15 years in senior administration at JRMC.

The soiree’ was held at the old Lowe’s building, made elegant and intimate by over 100 volunteers from JRMC, who worked diligently to make the setting into what Julie Bridgforth, director of marketing at JRMC, called “elaborate and wonderful.”

A huge outside banner reflected the image of Atkinson’s smiling face and beckoned attendees through a newly constructed entranceway and into a colorful foyer and cocktail area, filled with soft lighting, plants and tables laden with Atkinson’s favorite wines and specialty hors d’oeuvres. The interior of the vast space had been completely transformed by the volunteers bent on making a special evening for their “boss.”

At the end of the evening, Atkinson was presented a letter from U.S. Rep. Mike Ross by Ross’ deputy director, Gene Higginbotham.

“Mike and I worked together a lot on health care items and I got a lovely note from him ... and the flag. When Gene presented me with a flag that had flown in the nation’s Capitol honoring my retirement ... amazing,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson says he’ll be taking a lot of fond memories back to Louisiana, but that he’s leaving JRMC in good hands.

“I’m pleased with where we are. We have some reserves for a rainy day and we’re continuing to grow. They’ll also be working on a strategic plan and guidelines for the next 20 years. We’re in the top five percent of hospitals in Arkansas and in the country and we’re a uniquely situated referral center to work with South Arkansas,” he said, adding he could go on and on, but wouldn’t. Except that ... he hopes he might still be afforded the opportunity to “consult” on health care issues from time to time.

“To Becky and I, Pine Bluff is home and we’re going to miss it, but we want to be near our family and especially our grandkids. So, thank you for a night we’ll always remember and God bless JRMC and Pine Bluff,” he said.

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