Board of Trustees

Bob Southerland, Chairman
Bob Southerland has assumed the top leadership role of Laughlin Health Care Foundation Board of Trustees, as chairman of the board.

Southerland has served on the board for over 12 years and has played a major role in all the programs of the Laughlin Health Care Foundation, particularly the Laughlin Memorial Hospital Annual Tennessee Long Drive Shoot-out and Pro-Am Golf Tournament and the free visual and dental clinics.

Betty Weemes, director of Laughlin Health Care Foundation said, “We welcome Bob as the chair of our Foundation. He is a very capable businessman. His commitment to the philanthropic and not-for-profit organizations and programs in this community speaks volumes about his past and future service to Laughlin Health Care Foundation as chairman.”

Prior to his retirement in 2009, Southerland served as Vice President for Community and Governmental Affairs for K-VA-T Food Stores, doing business as Food City and Super Dollar Discount.

Southerland moved to Greeneville, Tennessee, in 1962 as a one-man advertising department for Super Dollar Markets, a division of Quality Foods, Incorporated, headquartered in Greeneville.
During that time he developed a number of creative and cutting-edge advertising strategies. In 1972 it became evident that Super Dollar Markets needed a new identity and Southerland played
an instrumental role in naming a brand new division of Quality Foods to be known as Food City. He also designed the Food City “FC” logo that is still in use by the company today.

Southerland continued to work for Quality Foods until they were acquired by K-VA-T Food Stores in 1984. Mr. Southerland became Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for the chain, garnering innumerable advertising awards during his tenure in that position.

As Vice President for Community and Governmental Affairs, Southerland worked with government officials in the TriState area. He traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with federal legislators on business-related issues. In addition, Southerland worked closely with local chambers of commerce and various other community leaders.

Southerland has remained very active in the community over the years. He presently serves on the East Tennessee State University Foundation and on the boards of Link Hills Country Club and the YMCA. He is also a member of the Greeneville Exchange Club being named Exchangite of the Year. Southerland also served on the Greeneville Parks and Recreation Board, the Greeneville-Greene County Vocational School Board, the Appalachia Chapter March of Dimes Executive Board and the Greeneville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Additionally, he served on the Greeneville City Board of Education from 1983-1994, serving as Vice Chairman for three years. During his tenure he was also appointed to the All-Tennessee School Board. He has also served on the Tennessee Grocer’s Education Foundation Board and as a member of the Board of Directors for Quality Foods, Incorporated.

Southerland resides in Greeneville with his wife, Sue, and they attend Asbury United Methodist Church. They have two daughters, Wendy Manalac and Suzanne Fisher, and four grandchildren.

Serving with Southerland on the executive committee will be board Larry Coughlin and Tom Gregory, co-vice chairs; Jack Wilson, treasurer; and Cecil Easterly, secretary.

Laughlin Health Care Foundation Board of Trustees 2010/2011:

Bob Southerland, Chairman
Larry Coughlin, Co-Vice Chairman
Tom Gregory, Co-Vice Chairman
Cecil L. Easterly, Secretary
Jack G. Wilson, Treasurer Lifetime Member
C. Ray Adams Ex officio
Martha M. Bachman
Terry Bellamy
Brian Bragdon
Mike Burns
Dr. Alan Corley
J.W. Douthat, Emeritus
James A. Emory
Shane Hite
Susan T. Holzschuh
Brandon C. Hull
Betty Carter Justis
Anthony LaMarca
John W. McInturff
Peter A. Reardon M.D.
Emily Rivers
Craig Shepherd, DDS
James L. Warner
Hugh A. Wells
Herbert Whitfield Lifetime Member
Charles H. Whitfield, Jr. Ex officio
Wilhelmina Williams
Betty S. Weemes, MA, CFRE, Founding Director

Laughlin Health Care Foundation was organized in 1994 to provide support to Laughlin Memorial Hospital and its health care affiliates: Laughlin Healthcare Center and Laughlin Home Health.

This support comes in two ways: through donors who are interested in helping us maintain the best healthcare available for the citizens in our community and through the development of community benefit programs that educate and promote awareness of good health practices. Donors use our 'in memorial' or 'in honor' gift programs to make a difference in our community’s health care. Donors also make gifts that are not designated.

We are especially proud of the free visual and dental clinics for the under-privileged in our community, the grief support programs for those who are hurting, the 911 Emergency Training Program for school-age children, and our scholarship program for those interested in pursuing higher education in the nursing field.

Our 'YES,MAM!' program promotes the recommended three-steps in early detection of breast cancer. The Look Good, Feel Better program is designed to support women in treatment for cancer and is in partnership with the American Cancer Society, national cosmetic companies, and area cosmetologists. Additionally, our Loving Bears program provides a cuddly, yet firm, handmade bear for mastectomy patients. These bears give physical support to the surgical area during recovery. An extensive packet of educational material is also given to the mastectomy patients.

We support the Imagination Library, a community program that provides books or videos for children, ages birth to five years old.

These are only a few of the many programs that result from donated funds or services, and I invite you to contact me, any member of the foundation board, or the foundation office to receive additional information about the important work of this organization.

Thank you for your support of Laughlin Health Care Foundation, past and future.

Bob Southerland, Chairman
Laughlin Health Care Foundation