The Kent Hospital Foundation held its annual business meeting in conjunction with the hospital’s Evening of Thanks reception Sept. 12 in a tented pavilion near the hospital’s Ambulatory Services Pavilion. Among the guests were longtime current and former hospital employees, who welcomed a crowd of more than 200 people with stories of working at Kent during the past five decades.

At the event, tribute was paid to longtime Kent Hospital supporter Jonathan K. Farnum and the award named in his honor was presented for the eighth time. The evening of thanks and remembrance was also marked by the induction of several new members to the Kent Hospital Board of Incorporators. Kent Hospital Incorporators serve as ambassadors and advocates of the hospital and assist in the hospital’s caregiving mission.    

The 2013 Jonathan K. Farnum Business Award recipient was Nortek, Inc., the longtime employer of the late Edward J. Cooney Jr. Mr. Cooney served as Kent Hospital’s former board chairman as well as vice chairman of the Care New England Board and chairman of the Care New England Audit Committee. Farnum Award is a reflection of Nortek’s tremendous support of Kent Hospital and of the partnership between Kent Hospital and Nortek fostered by Mr. Cooney during his lifetime. The award symbolizes exceptional leadership and dedication to the hospital.  

“It was such a pleasure to present Nortek with the Farnum Award on behalf of Mr. Cooney’s long commitment to Kent Hospital and also to welcome such a diverse group of individuals to our Board of Incorporators,” said Sandra Coletta, COO Care New England, president and CEO of Kent Hospital. “Their dedication to our mission is recognized in many ways, certainly philanthropically, but more importantly as informed advocates of Kent Hospital. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all hospital incorporators and to our generous donors for their partnership with our organization.”

New members of the Kent Hospital Board of Incorporators from Warwick are: Mrs. Sandra Kohlman; Colonel Stephen M. McCartney, USMC Ret.; Mrs. Joan Miga; Mrs. Marla Mooney; Brian T. O’Connell; Mrs. Gina M. O’Connell; John F. Thompson; Mrs. Patricia D. Thompson; and Mrs. Vanessa O. Zampini.