Generations of Generosity: Board Member Continues His Family's Legacy of Giving
From the roots of their family farm to the roots of the Kansas City community, the Dillingham’s have spent seven generations enhancing the lives of others.
As descendent of his family’s commitment to civic service and as board member for Saint Luke’s North Hospital and Saint Luke’s Foundation, Allen Dillingham recently started the Dillingham Family Fund to help Saint Luke’s executives further their education.
“Life is ongoing learning,” Allen said. “Especially in today's world, as things move so quickly in technology and health care, it's important that everybody on the team continues their education.”
The Dillingham Family Fund, developed in collaboration with Saint Luke's Foundation, enables hospital executives to pursue advanced training, certifications, and leadership development.
Patrick Altenhofen, FACHE, vice president of operations at Saint Luke's North Hospital, is grateful for those like Allen who value the pursuit of knowledge. The fund helped send Patrick to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress on Healthcare Leadership, a five-day event providing education and networking opportunities for leaders to stay ahead of trends.
"These opportunities make sure we're investing back into our community by leveraging technology and different strategies shared by other health systems,” Patrick said. “I appreciate how Allen sees the benefit from a non-clinical standpoint and what we're doing for the Northland as a whole."
Allen attributes this mindset to his grandfather, who had a saying: “You don’t sit on the bench; you get in the game.”
In addition to his roles at Saint Luke’s, Allen has served on the Northland board, Kansas Museum board, Missouri Technology Corporation board, and various other boards and committees. He is hands-on in his roles and participates in many of local events affiliated with these organizations.
Allen been connected to Saint Luke’s since it took on Spelman Memorial Hospital—his family had close ties to Arch Spelman, MD, and helped start the hospital when it moved to its current location in 1962. Dr. Spelman was also his family’s long-time health care provider.
This past January, Allen’s oldest daughter (24), needed emergency care for her heart. Saint Luke’s cardiology team provided life-saving care, deepening the Dillingham’s connection to Saint Luke’s.
“That put a huge stamp on everything that we're doing,” Allen said about his contributions to Saint Luke’s. “It’s an amazing system, and we wanted to step up.”
With his daughter recently married and doing well, Allen joined Saint Luke’s Heartland Gala Committee to help raise awareness and funds for heart health initiatives.
As he continues his forefathers’ legacy, Allen has left a lasting impact on both Saint Luke’s and the broader Kansas City community. And with the most recent fund, he hopes health care leaders can do the same.
“I’ve been speaking with doctors and hearing about all their amazing research on the international news,” Allen said. “I'm just excited to get out the word and help with what we can.”