He was indeed, a most extraordinary man! Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. Joe Hopkins was that kind of man. He stayed for a while, impacted the lives of many, and we will never, ever be the same.
The Joe Hopkins Memorial Award was created in 1987 to acknowledge an individual who displays the spirit of Joe Hopkins’ vision and dedication to Washington’s hospitals. Each year, the award is presented at the Washington State Hospital Association Annual Member Meeting.
Joe Hopkins was a long-time leader in the Washington State health care arena. He was a leader in rural health issues when he was administrator of Cascade Valley Hospital (1977-1987) and administrator of Mark E. Reed Hospital (1967-1977). He offered leadership to all the hospitals as chairman of the Washington State Hospital Association, 1985-86. In addition, he was: President of the Public Hospital District Association, 1981-82; chairman of the WSHA Rural Hospital Committee, 1982-83; and Kellogg Fellow with the Association of Western Hospitals. He served on a number of AHA committees, including the Governing Council for Small and Rural Hospitals. At the time of his death on February 23, 1987, he was a member of the AHA Regional Advisory Board and the AHA House of Delegates.
Joe will always be remembered for his dedication, hard work and wonderful sense of humor. Please participate in the memorial award process that honors and supports his memory by nominating someone to be this year’s award recipient.
