In gratitude for his generous contributions of time and treasure spanning the past seven years, Tom Marreel has been named the 2011 Board Member of the Year by the foundation. Marreel and his wife Julia have been actively involved with the foundation, helping to raise awareness of its mission to support programs and services at Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers.
Marreel was selected by a vote of his board peers for his tireless service in supporting foundation events and for his leadership. Marreel was previously the recipient of the Board Member of the Year award in 2008, and has chaired the foundation’s signature gala event Laughter is the Best Medicine, the George Rozsa Golf Classic, and has served as the board’s vice chair and chair.
“We owe so much to Tom and Julia Marreel,” said Diane Abraham, Ph.D., vice president of philanthropy and president of the foundation. “They have been instrumental in helping the foundation build relationships, which are the key to successful fundraising. Their involvement has truly brought us to a higher level, allowing us to better support the hospitals’ programs.”
Professionally, Marreel has been involved in the healthcare industry for more than 25 years, and has a deep understanding of why it’s important that a community support its hospital. It was their parents’ example of community service, as well as the care both of the Marreels’ fathers received at Chandler Regional, that prompted the couple to become involved with the foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of how the community can support its hospitals.
“I would like to thank all the folks who have responded to my requests for support over the years on behalf of the hospitals and their programs,” Marreel said. “Every time I ask, they step up and give. I am honored to receive this recognition from the foundation board. Julia and I have witnessed the affect hospitals have on communities, and on individuals and their families. Our goal is to help give Dignity Health’s East Valley hospitals the ability to provide world-class medical services to everyone who walks through their doors, and we are committed to doing all we can to that end.”
