Tower Health thanks long-serving board members for their service
At the end of June, four remarkable leaders will conclude their service on the Tower Health board of directors: Barbara Arner, retired executive; Chris Kraras, president and CEO, White Star Tours; Karen Rightmire, senior strategy officer, The Wyomissing Foundation; and Tom Work, Stevens & Lee.
Together, they have donated a combined 78 years of service to the former Reading Health System and now Tower Health. Their dedication to our community and the region’s healthcare has helped fulfill our mission to provide high-quality healthcare for the communities we serve. Their many contributions are worthy of recognition and celebration.
These individuals have long been engaged with our hospitals and the Berks County community. They are well known for their community advocacy, not just in healthcare, but also in the many other nonprofit organizations they have supported with their expertise.
Serving on a community board is about selfless service. Barbara, Chris, Karen and Tom have given an enormous amount of their time, their talents and their treasure. Their vision has been a driving force behind many of the programs and facilities that make Reading Hospital and Tower Health so special.
With the help of Barbara, Chris, Karen and Tom, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center transformed to Reading Health System in 2012, and then transitioned to Tower Health in 2017.
They were all driving forces to help form the Reading Hospital Foundation, the Reading HealthPlex, the expansion of the Reading Hospital Emergency Department
and creation of our Level One Trauma Center.
They were also instrumental with Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health, the establishment of Tower Health at Home, the expansion of TowerDIRECT and countless other improvements in how healthcare is provided in our community at a level that is recognized nationally for its quality and excellence.
I had the privilege of knowing each of these individuals long before I joined the Tower Health Board in 2019. I’ve served alongside Chris and Karen on other boards and knew Tom through his long association with the Reading Hospital.
And I’ve known Barbara and her family ever since I worked as a waitress at Arner’s Restaurant when I was a student at Albright College in the 1970s.
In fact, Chris and Karen were instrumental in my joining the
Tower Health board. At the time, I had no idea I would soon be leading this wonderful organization. It has been a privilege to work alongside them as they tirelessly advocate for our patients, employees and community.
Reading Hospital, and now Tower Health, has been an anchor institution in the Berks County community for more than 150 years, and these four dedicated individuals are part of the reason why. Our community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Thank you, Tom, Karen, Barbara and Chris for all you have done for Reading Hospital, Tower Health and the community. It has been an honor to work alongside each of you.
On behalf of the entire Tower Health team, thank you for your dedication and loyalty to our team members, our patients and our community. We will continue
to preserve the legacy you have helped build.
P. Sue Perrotty is Tower Health president and CEO.