Foundation Board Member
Ben McKibbens

For Thomas Hospital Foundation board member Ben McKibbens, the word retirement has never been synonymous with sitting still.

The former President and CEO of Valley Baptist Health System in Harlingen, TX, McKibbens now focuses his energy on Healthcare Outreach Network (HON), a non-profit organization that acquires and ships medical equipment to developing countries.

“When we decided to retire, we had two criteria for what to do next. It had to be fun, and it had to be worthwhile. This organization is both,” McKibbens says.

Working with HON means McKibbens and his wife, Loren, are frequent global travelers. “The organization distributes medical equipment to places such as Africa, Central America, China and South Korea. But a site visit is generally required with certain criteria before we can ship equipment,”McKibbens explains.

WhileMcKibbens travels extensively, the southern U.S. is where he feels most at home. The 67-year-old healthcare executive grew up in Laurel,Miss. and later received both his bachelors and masters degrees fromMississippi College, where he now serves on the board.

McKibbens also holds a graduate degree from the University of Alabama’s program in healthcare administration. His proudest accomplishment though is in Texas, where after 25 years at the helm of Valley Baptist Health System, the board honored Ben and Loren by naming the prestigious family practice residency program for them.

When they’re not on the go, theMcKibbens divide their time
between Fairhope and Ashville, N.C. where their oldest daughter is the director of the family-owned Camp Hollymont for Girls.

Frequent visits to North Carolina not only allow theMcKibbens a change of pace, but also the chance to see their four grown children and three grandchildren.

Whether in Ashville or Fairhope, theMcKibbens are making a
difference in the community. “We are most fortunate to live in Fairhope, and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Thomas Hospital and to be associated with such wonderful people.”