Community

Spectrum Health Foundation Honors Dan and Lou Ann Gaydou

The Spectrum Health Foundation announced Dan and Lou Ann Gaydou as recipients of the 2012 Art of Giving Award. The honor was presented at the foundation’s annual celebration of philanthropy dinner on September 5.

The Art of Giving Award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated uncommon service and leadership to Spectrum Health, its foundations and the West Michigan community. This prestigious award recognizes extraordinary volunteer service, leadership and commitment to improving the health of our community through philanthropy.

Richard C. Breon, President & CEO, Spectrum Health, said, “We are grateful to Dan and Lou Ann Gaydou for their years of service to our community. Spectrum Health is fortunate to be one of the organizations that have benefitted from their generous gifts of time and talent.”

Together, Dan and Lou Ann chaired the annual giving campaign for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in 2002. Dan has served on the Spectrum Health Board for the past 12 years. He also served on the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation Board for three years. Lou Ann served on the Spectrum Health Foundation Gala Steering Committee for 10 years and the Gala Fundraising Committee for seven years.

The Gaydou’s are also deeply involved in the community. Both Dan and Lou Ann volunteer for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Lou Ann volunteers with Make-A-Wish Foundation, Hope Network, Hope Network Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Grand Rapids Symphony and Pine Rest. Dan has been involved with the Public Museum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America and The Right Place as well as served on the Millennium Commission for the planning of Millennium Park.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 190 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 700 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 18,000 employees. The organization provided $176.5 million in community benefit during its 2011 fiscal year.