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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. –  Five community members who have served on various Boards of Directors throughout the Summit Health organization were honored on September 27 for their years of service.

“Our board members are our communities’ eyes and ears,” said Norman Epstein, President and CEO, Summit Health. “All of the Summit Health entities are held in trust by our Board members for the benefit of the 160,000 people in our community.”

J. Edward Beck, Jr.
Years of Service: 28
Board participation: Waynesboro Hospital, Summit Health

Beck, an attorney at Keller, Keller, Frey & Beck, LLC, began his service to the community on the Waynesboro Hospital Board of Directors. Beck served on the Waynesboro Hospital Board of Directors as well as the Summit Health Board of Directors.

“Ed was a major force in the formation of Summit Health,” Epstein noted. “He steered the process of Waynesboro Hospital and Chambersburg Hospital coming together. He was a major influence in Summit Health’s financial direction and personally participated in the rating services interview process as we prepared for the most recent Bond issue to build the King Street addition at Chambersburg Hospital.” 

“When action is needed, Ed has been our man,” Epstein said.

John S. Boozer
Years of Service: 9
Board participation: Chambersburg Hospital

Boozer, Founder and President of Franklin Advisory, has served the community as a member of the Chambersburg Hospital Board of Directors.

“John provided oversight to our planning, construction management, and actual building project,” Epstein said. “He has been that critical independent eye and has advised when something was askew or when we needed to pay more attention to something.”

Epstein noted that during Boozer’s time on the Chambersburg Hospital Board of Directors he focused on the credentialing process of health care providers. ‘”John was focused on the community responsibility for appropriate credentialing and objective decision-making in regards to the providers that have come to our community to treat our neighbors.”

Rebecca S. Dempsey
Years of Service: 15
Board participation: Chambersburg Hospital, Summit Health, Summit Physician Services

Dempsey, an attorney for WIN Victim Services of Franklin and Fulton Counties, began her service to the community as a member of the Chambersburg Hospital Board of Directors. She then served on the Summit Health Board of Directors and the Summit Physician Services Board of Directors.

“First for Chambersburg and then for Summit Health and Summit Physician Services, Becky always reminded us why we are here,” Epstein said of Dempsey. “She has also been our quality conscious, and the lessons learned from Becky will stay with us for all our future decisions.”

Frank S. Elliott
Years of Service: 32
Board participation: Chambersburg Hospital, Chambersburg Hospital Health Services, Chambersburg Health Services, Cumberland Valley Medical Services, Summit Health

Elliott, Senior Vice President at F & M Trust, retired, has served the community by being a member of five Summit Health Boards of Directors.

“’Skip’ has participated on almost every committee that ever existed and also acted as a liaison between Summit Health and Keystone Health,” Epstein noted. “Skip is a master of the numbers. He is a ‘guru’ of the financials. His ability to make sure we are always looking toward the future has been a valuable asset to this organization.”

Joel Zullinger
Years of Service: 26
Board participation: Chambersburg Hospital, Chambersburg Hospital Health Services, Chambersburg Health Services, Summit Health

Zullinger, an attorney at Zullinger – Davis, PC, began his service to the community on the Chambersburg Hospital Board of Directors. According to Epstein, much like Beck, Zullinger was instrumental in the formation of Summit Health.

"Joel has participated in almost every committee and Board in his many years of service and has been the voice of the needs of the mental health system and mental health patients,” Epstein said. “He finds the good in most difficult decisions and always focuses on ethics and trust.”

Epstein continued, “To me, as Chair of Chambersburg [Hospital Board of Directors], Joel was the mentor that I looked to as a 39-year-old, first-time, CEO in a very new environment.”

Thank you
Epstein closed his recognition, “You all gave of yourselves, contributed your time and energy for the benefit of your community, your neighbors and for so many who need so much.  We thank you, applaud you and will miss you.” 

The Board of Directors recognition event closed with Board members taking a tour through the King Street addition of Chambersburg Hospital.  The 180,000 square foot addition is set to open in December.

END

Summit Health, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to building a healthier community through leading-edge medical technology, skilled physicians, caring staff, and convenient locations.  Summit Health’s comprehensive selection of services and providers includes family physicians, surgeons, specialists, diagnostic services, a women’s health center, a fitness center, two walk-in care centers, and two award-winning hospitals. For more information about Summit Health, call (717) 267-3000 or visit www.SummitHealth.org.