NORWICH – At their annual meeting, the Board of Directors at Community Memorial Hospital paid tribute to Larry Baker, who will be leaving the Board after 22 years of dedicated service. Sean Fadale, President & CEO, announced that the Board had decided to honor Baker by establishing an endowment fund in his name – The Larry Baker Endowment Fund at Community Memorial Hospital.

Baker became a member of the CMH Board of Directors in 1992 and has served in several capacities. He was Board Chair from 1998 to 2000 and 2002 to 2004. He was Vice-Chair from 1993 to 1997 and 2000 to 2002, and served as the Board Secretary from 2004 to 2006.

In addition, Baker was instrumental in the founding of the Community Memorial Hospital Foundation Board in 2002 and has held the position as Board Chair since its inception. Baker will continue his work with the Foundation and will again serve as Chair for 2014-2015.

Baker has led the Foundation through three capital campaigns, the most successful being the recent “Caring for Your Future” campaign which raised over $1.7 million. During his tenure, one of his key priorities was to increase the hospital’s endowment. Just four years ago, the endowment stood at $90,000. Thanks to Baker’s leadership, the endowment has surpassed the $700,000 level.

Baker has taken great pride in helping to secure the financial stability of Community Memorial Hospital.

In other CMH Board news, Susie Gustafson, of Hamilton, was selected as the new Board Chair, succeeding Larry Tully of Cazenovia. Patty Caprio completed two terms as a Board member and is expected to return after a year off. She has served Community Memorial Hospital for 37 years as a Board member. Caprio is currently Secretary of the Foundation Board. Mark Curtis, of Hamilton, was elected to his first term on the Board.