Bolingbrook Resident Honored As AdventHealth Trustee Of The Year

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Reverend Ron Hawkins, a retired McDonald’s executive and longtime member of the Adventist Midwest Health Board of Directors, has received a Trustee of the Year Award from AdventHealth, according to a release from the organization.

Hawkins, formerly of Bolingbrook, was honored "for his deep commitment to AdventHealth’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ and to the four hospitals in AdventHealth’s Great Lakes Region," a release states.

Ken Bacon, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s Multi-State Division, presented the award to Hawkins during AdventHealth’s recent Conference on Mission in Orlando, Florida.

Praising Hawkins for “his natural ability to communicate and his dedication to serving God,” Bacon said AdventHealth is “eternally grateful” for Hawkins’ insights and faithful service, according to a news release.

Hawkins began his service to AdventHealth in 2007, when he joined the fundraising committee for the Bolingbrook Hospital Foundation gala event. In 2008, he was named chairman of the foundation’s board of directors. He served for two terms on the foundation board, through 2014. He was appointed to the Adventist Midwest Health Board of Directors in 2011 and continues to serve on the board.

In 2013, the chapel at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook was dedicated in his name.

Hawkins, pastor of Center Point Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, said he was honored and humbled to receive the award.

“There are so many people involved with awards that go to one person,” he said in a release. “We have a great board, so it’s an honor from that standpoint. But I’m just humbled. As a pastor, I think any award you get is really from God the Father. I don’t see myself as anyone special. I’m just a servant of God trying to do God’s work.”

Hawkins worked at McDonald’s for 40 years, starting in 1971 as a crew person behind a restaurant counter while attending school. Within two years, he became a restaurant manager. He continued moving up the ladder, working in every aspect of the business, and in 2003, he was promoted to vice president and national ombudsman, the first African American ever to hold this important position, according to a news release.

When he was invited to get involved with AdventHealth, he jumped at the opportunity.

“The thing that got me immediately was when I heard AdventHealth’s mission was extending the healing ministry of Christ,” he said. “My father and his father were pastors, and I was a deacon at that time. Service is what it’s all about, so I figured I would try it out. When you have a mission statement of extending the healing ministry of Christ, how can you not want to serve?”

Hawkins strongly encourages business executives considering the possibility of service with nonprofit organizations to take the plunge.

“I just think it’s an obligation for any business person,” he said in a release. “It not only helps the nonprofit, but it also helps your customer base long term. It helps you in building relationships in the communities you serve, which ultimately is a win-win all around.”

Serving with AdventHealth has been one of the most satisfying experiences of his life, Hawkins said in a release.

“It is a personal satisfaction that money cannot buy,” he said in a release. “Anytime you can do something that’s serving a ministry and a mission like AdventHealth has, that to me – in McDonald’s language – is 'the secret sauce.'"