Kennett doctor elected chairman of board of MFH

Dr. Steve M. Pu of Kennett was recently named chairperson of the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH).

Pu is one of five elected officers in 2008, including Vice Chairperson, Will R. Ross, M.D., of St. Louis; Secretary, Bruce Horwitz, Ph.D., of Columbia; Treasurer, K. "Beth" Johnson, CFA, of University City; and Member-at-Large, Corinne Walentik, MD, MPH, of St. Louis.

In addition to its five elected officers, MFH also announced four new members to its Board of Directors, along with the re-election of a current board member.

The announcement of the four new board members included Brenda A. Battle, of Bridgeton; Gretchen Garrison, JD, of St. Louis; Dorothy M. Munch, DO, of Poplar Bluff; and Janna L. Stewart, JD, of Ava.

George F. Gruendel, Ph.D., of Salem was the re-elected member of the board.

According to MFH, directors may serve a maximum of two three-year terms.

The 15 members of the Board of Directors are responsible for providing oversight of all the foundation's activities and grant-making.

"Each of these directors brings a passion for community service and to help improve the health of all Missourians," said Dr. James R. Kimmey, president and CEO of MFH.

"We look forward to having their knowledge and individual expertise help guide the Foundation through the years to come."

According to Pu, who has served as a board member for MFH for five years prior to being elected chairperson, his role this year will be to preside over all of the MFH meetings, chair executive committees, and most importantly represent the foundation in all aspects possible.

"The single most important thing that I as chairman can do for this foundation is to help lead it in conjunction with our president and CEO, Dr. James R. Kimmey," Pu said of his role as chairperson.

Pu added that this year will be his last with MFH, as he will have served the full time allowed by MFH.

The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) was established in 2000, and is currently the largest non-governmental founder of community health activities in the state. The Foundation was established through the sale of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Left over assets from the sale were invested by the not-for-profit organization.

It's mission is to empower the people of the communities it serves to achieve equal access to quality health services that promote prevention and encourage healthy behaviors.

MFH is in its sixth year of grant-making.

Since it's inception, the foundation has issued more than $265 million in grants and awards to date.

The Foundation serves an 84 county region that includes local areas such as Dunklin, Pemiscot and New Madrid counties.

MFH holds public forums to introduce the Foundation to the public and to solicit information on unmet health care needs of the community.

It takes the information it collects and incorporates it into development of grant making priorities for the future.

For more information about the Missouri Foundation for Health log on to www.mffh.org.