Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors establishes $1M scholarship fund at TLU in honor of organization’s first president & CEO
The board of directors of Methodist Healthcare Ministries has established a $1 million scholarship endowment fund at Texas Lutheran University in honor of the organization’s first president & CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty, who is retiring in 2018 after 22 years of faithful service.
The “Methodist Healthcare Ministries/Kevin C. Moriarty Scholarship Fund” will award scholarships to full-time students enrolled in the nursing program who demonstrate financial need and academic merit. Preference will be given to students who plan to practice the nursing profession in Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area in South Texas.
“Kevin has been a fierce and steadfast advocate for the least served his entire career,” expressed George N. Ricks, chair of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors. “Kevin has devoted himself to ensuring our community – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and neighbors who don’t have health insurance – have access to quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay. We could not think of a better way to celebrate the mark he has left than to grow and nurture the professionals who will deliver the care he has fought so hard to uphold in South Texas.”
The scholarship fund was announced publicly at a farewell reception for Moriarty April 3. Surprising Moriarty with the news, Ricks presented a ceremonial check to Texas Lutheran University President Dr. Stuart Dorsey, and the university’s nursing director, vice president for academic affairs, and interim vice president for development and alumni relations.
“We are grateful to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for selecting Texas Lutheran University Nursing to honor Kevin Moriarty and proud to be associated with Kevin’s exemplary career. His dedication to improving access to quality health care for the underserved in South Texas closely aligns with the mission of our nursing program,” said Dr. Stuart Dorsey, president of TLU.
For over 40 years, Moriarty has been a central figure in San Antonio’s health care and human services sector. His tenure led Methodist Healthcare Ministries to become one of the largest private funding sources for community health in South Texas. Before joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Moriarty served as a public official with the city of San Antonio for over 20 years. Moriarty announced his plans to retire Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ last June (read more). The board of directors has since been engaged in a nationwide executive search to succeed Moriarty (read press release).
