American Diabetes Association Names Adventist Father of the Year

From News Release, June 15, 2015:   Adventist Health System executive Lars Houmann was honored as Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) on June 10, 2015. Houmann is the father of three grown children—Kirsten, Cameron and Peter.

The award was given during a special event in Orlando, Florida, designed to highlight the importance of fatherhood and raise funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy.

Adventist Health System (AHS) operates 44 hospitals in 10 states—Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, North Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. The organization’s 74,000 employees serve more than 4.5 million patients annually, according to the AHS website.

Houmann, who serves as president and CEO of Florida Hospital and the Florida Division of Adventist Health System, was selected along with three other award recipients for “making family a priority while balancing demanding careers and community involvement,” ADA’s Father’s Day Council said.

Houmann has served at Florida Hospital since 1993, overseeing major expansion projects, mergers, and the development of facilities such as Florida Hospital Celebration Health. He is also actively involved in health care advocacy and economic development, serving on boards and volunteering at organizations such as the Florida Hospital Association, Shepherd’s Hope Clinics, Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Roundtable, Heart of Florida United Way, and bioOrlando.

Kirsten Cutler, Houmann’s daughter, said the prize was well deserved. “My dad could not be more worthy of this honor,” she said. “He inspires and motivates his family with a commitment to integrity, optimism, faith and balance. His servant leadership is not just an approach used professionally, but as a father. We are grateful to the American Diabetes Association for a unique opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation to him.”