HUNDREDS SAY FAREWELL
AT LELAN WOODMANSEE’S
RETIREMENT RECEPTION
Aaron Burch
Lelan passed the literal and
figurative baton to Bert Guinn
Lelan Woodmansee was presented a
proclamation from Mayor Greg Fischer
A
n amazing outpouring of respect and love was given by
nearly 300 friends and family members who visited the
Whitehall Mansion on August 16 to wish the best for
retiring GLMS Executive Director Lelan Woodmansee, CAE.
Woodmansee served the Greater Louisville Medical Society for
35 years, from 1980 to 2015. He was a dedicated leader and friend
for physicians and patients in the Louisville community. He also
helped create and support numerous organizations flourishing
today including The Healing Place and Supplies Over Seas.
Woodmansee, who was nearly hoarse from talking and laughing with so many in attendance, took the microphone to say
thank you.
“I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m so grateful for your
presence and this outpouring of love and fellowship. I’m especially
grateful for the opportunity to serve you within this organization for an incredibly short 35 years,” he said. “I see a wonderful
future ahead for our members, your patients, your families and
for GLMS as an organization.”
He continued, “I’ll be on the sidelines cheering on your future
successes. I believe our changing environment will allow the medical society to help you craft the future you want to have.” With
that, he passed the baton to his successor, Bert Guinn, MBA, CAE.
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In an emotional sendoff, Guinn thanked his mentor for the
years they’ve spent together, saying, “Lelan, I can never repay you
for all you’ve done for me and the positive influence you’ve had
in my life. You’ve showed me with your words and actions how
to be aLOUISVILLE
servant leader and
a better husband and father. I thank
MEDICINE
The event would not be possible
without the hard work of GLMS
President Dr. Bob Couch
you so much for all the laughter, memories, camaraderie and,
most of all, for the magic you created.”
To thank him for all he’s done, GLMS members, staff and
hospital systems pitched in on a retirement gift which paid off
Lelan’s car and still had enough money to send him and his wife,
Marlena, on a vacation of his choosing. He was also honored by
the GLMS Board of Governors, GLMS Foundation and made a
Kentucky Colonel by the Governor’s Office earlier this month.
But that wasn’t all.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer visited the retirement reception, giving Woodmansee an honorary proclamation from the
city thanking him for his service. Speaking to the physicians
in attendance, Mayor Fischer said, “I hope you all know how
profound it’s been to have GLMS in this city, a very constant,
professional, consistent, tenacious presence represented through
this man right here. It’s always been ‘What can we do to help?’
And not everybody’s that way. I wanted to say ‘Thank You’ on
behalf of the city to you all for your support of GLMS and, of
course, to Lelan at the helm of all this as well. It’s really been a
phenomenal thing.”
The event was a huge success and a testament to the lives Lelan Woodmansee has touched on his professional and personal
journey. We wish him all the best as he embarks on his next
adventure.
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater
Louisville Medical Society.