Altamonte Springs, Fla., February 27, 2014 – Thomas Lemon was elected today by the Board of Directors of Adventist Health System to serve as chairman. Lemon assumes responsibilities today and replaces Don Livesay, who has completed his three-year term, but will continue to serve on the Adventist Health System Board.
“It has been my privilege to serve as chairman, and I will continue to be actively involved with Adventist Health System as vice chair,” said Livesay. “I am extremely proud of their sense of mission and gifted team of leaders who allow God to touch thousands of people in our communities through their committed leadership inside and outside of the hospital walls.”
Lemon currently serves as the president of the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Previously, Lemon served as vice president for administration for the Union, president of the Minnesota Conference, ministerial director in Oregon, and assistant to the president of the Rocky Mountain Conference. He began his career as a pastor, serving in both Maryland and Texas. Lemon earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theology at Southwestern Union College (now Southwestern Adventist University) and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University Seminary.
“Adventist Health System is blessed to have such strong leaders serving on our Board,” said Don Jernigan, president/CEO. “Don has led us with such integrity and commitment, and I look forward to working closely with Tom in this new role.”
The Board of Directors for Adventist Health System consists of 61 members who are either Seventh-day Adventist church union officers, conference presidents from the Adventist Health System territory, appointed members of corporate leadership, or appointed members-at-large from each Seventh-day Adventist Union. These members serve a term of five years and are appointed either through the position they hold or by special invitation.
“I have served on this Board for six years and have come to realize that Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ comprehends in totality the commission of Jesus to go and make disciples of all people,” said Lemon. “True disciples are made only by the healing power of Jesus.”
With 45 hospital campuses and nearly 8,300 licensed beds in ten states, Adventist Health System facilities incorporate the latest technological advancements and clinical research to serve more than 4.5 million patients annually. The full continuum of integrated care also includes urgent care centers, home health and hospice agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.
Rainey Turlington is a news writer for Adventist Health System.
