Mark Howard, chief executive officer of Intermountain Health Care Hospitals of central Utah, was recently presented the "Bottom Line Award" by the National Association of Hospitals Affiliated with Child Care Programs at the group's annual convention, held in Florida.
The association presents the award to a hospital administrator who has made a major contribution to child care."Of any of the recognition I have received, this is the highlight," Howard said after receiving the award. "I feel so strongly about employees and their families - I am thrilled."
On Sept. 16, 1985, Howard and other hospital officials opened the first on-site child-care center within IHC and the second in the state of Utah. This program became a model for other IHC facilities, as well as other employers throughout Utah.
When expansion to the north of Utah Valley Regional Medical Center's campus called for the removal of the existing child-care homes, Howard was supportive of the hospital's volunteer auxiliary in building an 8,700-square-foot facility, which was dedicated in February 1993.
Anita Spainhower, director of R Kids, the on-site child-care center, and her staff nominated Howard for the award because of his commitment to employees and their children.