For the first time in many years, Endeavor Health executive leadership revived the special practice of presenting a Distinguished Benefactor Medallion, NorthShore Hospitals Foundation’s highest award for outstanding philanthropy. Recently, the coveted medallion was awarded to two individuals who have significantly supported the institution’s mission over several decades.
Elizabeth Coon Martin, accepting on behalf of The Owen L. Coon Foundation, and William L. Davis III (Bill) were presented with their medallions during a system board meeting, marking the occasion and showcasing their longstanding philanthropic support of Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals.
The Distinguished Benefactor Medallion is presented to those who have built a legacy of philanthropy and established true, lasting partnerships with Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals. Individuals who receive this honor are transformative philanthropists whose enduring generosity and advocacy have fortified the health system across diverse disciplines and programs over time.
“Both Elizabeth Coon Martin and the Davis family are visionary supporters whose substantial contributions and commitment have profoundly enhanced Endeavor Health’s mission and impact across the region,” said J.P. Gallagher, CEO of Endeavor Health.
Elizabeth Coon Martin is the president of The Owen L. Coon Foundation, which has a 54-year history with Endeavor Health, beginning in 1970 with the Louise W. Coon Chair of Medicine at Evanston Hospital, the first endowed chair established at the time. The Owen L. Coon Foundation has since then established three more endowed chairs across different disciplines, recognizing faculty members for excellence in medical research and patient care.
The Owen L. Coon Foundation’s mission is to promote public benefit through its contributions in order to continue Owen L. Coon’s vision of “giving people better opportunities so they can be of greater value to society.” Elizabeth carries on her grandfather’s legacy proudly and is deeply committed to ensuring future generations understand the transformative impact of philanthropy and service.
Bill Davis is a Life Director of NorthShore University HealthSystem (now Endeavor Health) and a former board chairman. He first joined the NorthShore Board in 1998. He retired in 2004 as the Chairman/CEO and President of RR Donnelley, a global publication, catalog and commercial printing company. In addition to supporting Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals, he has been a board member for numerous health and human services organizations.
Bill was known as an innovator throughout his career at RR Donnelley and was tremendously influential in bringing Epic—a cloud-based medical records software for day-to-day operations and patient medical records—to NorthShore University HealthSystem (now Endeavor Health), making it one of the first healthcare systems to have achieved full electronic health record implementation.
Bill’s major support for NorthShore Hospitals includes the establishment of the Davis Family Chair in 2006 with his late wife, Judy. Prior to Judy’s passing in 2019, they also helped launch the immunotherapy program at Kellogg Cancer Center with a substantial gift. Most recently, Bill and his wife, Karen, established the Davis Family Center for Preventive Genomics, which represents their most significant gift to date.
“Karen and I are very surprised, pleased and humbled by this wonderful recognition,” said Bill. “I’ve been affiliated with Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals since the late 1990s and am very proud of the wonderful progress the organization has made over that time.”
“It’s easy to work for and support a great organization that’s offering so much help to the community,” he added.
These efforts would not be possible without philanthropic support. We are powered by the generosity of donors who directly impact our ability to deliver on our commitment to community-connected care.
Please visit this page to learn more about Endowed Chairs at NorthShore Hospitals
Photo caption (left to right): J.P. Gallagher, CEO of Endeavor Health and Elizabeth Coon Martin, President of The Owen L. Coon Foundation