Celebrating the Spirit of Giving

Support from our community, our staff, and our patients has made Saint Luke's into the leading health care organization it is today. In 2025, Saint Luke's held its second annual Spirit of Philanthropy celebration to recognize some of those people. 

First to be honored were Starr and Tom Wagstaff, who received the Philanthropists of the Year award—although the couple's support stretches for two-thirds of a century. Both Starr and Tom have served on multiple boards, led fundraising efforts, and volunteered in numerous roles at Saint Luke's. Most recently, they continued that support by establishing the Tom and Starr Wagstaff Endowed Chair in Neurology. 

Jason Purcell, chief nursing officer at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, earned this year's Distinguished Collaborator Award. He combines his clinical skills and expertise with a positive attitude and generous spirit, tackling every project with both wisdom and enthusiasm. Patients, fellow providers, and Foundation advocates all count themselves fortunate to work with him. 

The Champions of Philanthropy award recognizes a corporation or foundation that, through its giving, has shown a deep, longstanding commitment to Saint Luke's mission. With more than $22 million in donations over the decades, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation was key to establishing the Saint Luke's Women's Heart Center and growing it into a world-class research and care facility.

The Kauffman Family Foundation, represented by Julia I. Dennie-Kauffman, was a fitting recipient of the Champions award. 

Peter Holt, MD, a geriatrician with Saint Luke's, was awarded the Foundation Fellow award. A donor for 34 years, Dr. Holt has also served three terms on the Foundation board. His impact is felt through his passionate support of education, his donations to Saint Luke's Bishop Spencer Place, and most notably, his mentoring of young medical professionals. 

The President's award is given on a periodic basis to recognize someone whose outstanding support deserves special attention. Frank Thompson was the natural choice for this recognition. His 22-year commitment to Saint Luke's can be seen through the Frank and Evangeline Thompson Thoracic Center, two endowed chairs, and countless other programs. 

Every scientific advancement, every community program, and every patient we've helped all comes back to the people who have given their time, their skills, their funds, and what this event was named for their spirit. Saint Luke's offers its heartfelt gratitude to these award recipients, as well as the many others who support our mission.