2011 Event Co-Chairs
- Patricia L. Starck, DSN, RN, FAAN
- Dean, UTHealth School of Nursing
- John P. McGovern Distinguished Professor
Dr. Starck has spent 45 years in nursing education, 33 of them as a dean or director of nursing schools at universities in Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. She has published 47 articles, seven book chapters, and a book on human suffering, an area of research she started at the University of Alabama in Birmingham during her doctoral studies involving patients with spinal cord injuries. Starck later developed a test to determine to what extent a patient or other subject feels that he or she has meaning and purpose in life and the subject’s motivation to seek noetic goals, or new purpose in life. Referred to as the “MIST,” the Meaning in Suffering Test is still in use throughout the world.
For the past 26 years Dr. Starck has served as Dean of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing, ranked in the nation’s top 5% of graduate nursing programs by US News and World Report. She earned her degrees from Emory University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and was recently named one of the 60 Distinguished Alumni of UAB’s 11,000 graduates.
She served two terms as President of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Council of Collegiate Educators in Nursing, comprised of 16 states and the District of Columbia. In this role, she initiated a region-wide electronic campus for sharing courses to prepare more nurse educators. Over the years, Dr. Starck has raised millions of dollars to support nursing, from funds for the construction of a $58 million building to the creation of scholarships, endowed professorships and endowed chairs.
- Kenneth J. Lewis
- President, LL&C Properties, Inc.
Kenneth J. Lewis began his career in real estate soon after he received his degree in finance from The University of Texas in 1981.
His first position was with Real Property Analysts, a commercial real estate appraisal and consulting firm, where he specialized in retail developments and hotels. In 1989, he joined a venture capital group, where he operated an import/distribution company. The company imported an Australian-made auto part for distribution in the United States, Canada and Japan. Returning to real estate in 1992, he and a business partner became preferred developer for the Walgreen Company build-to-suit program. To date, he has been involved in the site selection, leasing, development and financing of more than 30 Walgreen stores.
Mr. Lewis’ companies currently own, manage and lease multiple retail developments in the Houston area. He also manages several investment partnerships with real estate assets around Texas as well as consulting with individual and small to midsize institutional investors.
In addition to his business activities, Mr. Lewis is involved with a number of Houston-area service organizations, including the Good Samaritan Foundation; the Houston Chapter of Texas Exes, serving as president in 1998; and the Houston Longhorn Club, serving as their president in 2005.
He currently is a member of the Advisory Council for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing; the Development Board of UTHealth; the board of the Good Samaritan Foundation Endowment; and the Chapter Advisory Board of Texas Exes. He is also a volunteer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Mr. Lewis lives in Houston, Texas and has four children.
- Debbie Adams
- Owner, Janus 1 Unlimited, Inc.
The employment journey of Debbie Adams began in high school with a job under the Golden Arches. Debbie rapidly moved up the ranks from Crew Person to Second Assistant Manager before she eventually headed off to college, little knowing that the skills she had acquired in the hectic McDonalds’s environment would prepare her for the next step in her career. Graduating from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Debbie became an ER nurse.
In addition to working at Sunbelt Regional Medical Center as both a Staff RN in the ER and Relief Supervisor, she served as a Clinical Preceptor and Instructor in the EMT/Paramedic Program for Houston Community College and Chief Flight Nurse for the Houston-based crew of Air Ambulance Network Incorporated, making flights throughout the Americas. She also earned certification in a number of specialty areas.
It was wonderful work, but in 1989, Debbie had an opportunity to return to her “first love.” She signed on with McDonald’s again—with a difference. This time she came on board as Owner/Operator. Debbie now has 31 restaurants in the Greater Houston area. Her chain, which employs over 1,500 people and has annual sales of $64M, is the largest McDonald’s organization in the region.
In addition to her day-to-day, hands-on involvement with her business, Debbie is also a community leader and volunteer. She is active in Girl Scouting and education, and serves on the Advisory Councils of UTHealth School of Nursing, the Nursing Department at Houston Community College, and Camp Sign for Deaf and Hearing Impaired.
Throughout her 21 years as a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Debbie has supported Ronald McDonald House Charities, serving on the RMHC board in some capacity for over 15 years, the last eight as President of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston/Galveston, Inc. Most recently, Debbie was elected to the RMHC Global Advisory Council.
- Lynn M. Schroth, DrPH, MSN, BSN
- Professor, UTHealth School of Nursing + UT School of Public Health
Dr. Lynn Schroth joined The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing and the University of Texas School of Public Health, a part of UTHealth Fleming Center of Management, as a Professor in the fall of 2010.
Previously, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Methodist International and Executive Vice President of The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. Prior to joining the Methodist system in 1999, Dr. Schroth was Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Hermann TMC, Chief Operating Officer of Hermann Hospital, and Vice President for Clinical Services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Schroth received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston; a Master of Science from UTHealth School of Nursing, and a Doctorate in Public Health from UT School of Public Health.
She has been an active member of a number of professional and civic organizations, including the American Leadership Forum and the Greater Houston Partnership. She has served on the Board of the American British Cowdray Hospital Foundation, Mexico City; the University Health Systems Consortium; the Menninger Clinic; LifeGift; the Children’s Assessment Center; the Good Samaritan Foundation; and the Visiting Nurses Association of Houston.
Dr. Schroth has been honored as a recipient of the Houston “Women on the Move” award and was profiled in the book Wind for New Wings by Dr. Bertie Simmons.