Kevin Churchwell, M.D., and his family, from left, wife Gloria, Katherine, John, (in front), Alexandria and Arthur. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Churchwell honored as a ‘Father of the Year’
Kevin Churchwell, M.D., chief executive officer of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been honored as one of Nashville's Fathers of the Year by the Nashville chapter of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Churchwell and his wife of 18 years, Gloria, have four children: Katherine, 15, Alexandria, 13, Arthur, 11, and John, 9.
Churchwell has served as a critical care physician and in many leadership roles at Vanderbilt and in the community over the years, but he says what he can offer at home, to his family, is especially important.
“I consider fatherhood my most important job,” Churchwell said. “Both Gloria and I take very seriously the responsibility of raising the next generation, but our kids give us a lot in return in the form of love and support.
“My children support me in ways they don't even know and my hope is to give each of my children the opportunity to reach their own potential.”
Churchwell is one of four Fathers of the Year recognized for 2008. Others are local urologist Keith Hagen, M.D., Ralph Schulz, president and CEO of the Nashville area Chamber of Commerce, and Rob McNeilly, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank.
This is the fifth year that the Father's Day Council in Nashville has hosted the Father of the Year Awards Dinner, benefiting the American Diabetes Association.
Each year, honorees raise approximately $35,000 to help support advocacy, research and education initiatives of the ADA. These funds help the organization fulfill its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.