Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Honors 2015 Legacy Award Recipient
The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce honored Dr. George E. Branam with their 2015 Legacy Award. The Gala Event held at the Horizon Convention Center, had over 350 guests.
The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award is presented annually to an individual or couple who has made extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community, and who has provided leadership in the development of programs, events, and/or new traditions that promote goodwill and community pride.
Among those who spoke at the Gala were: Jim Lambert, Retired Muncie Community Schools; Dr. Jeff Bird, Chief Medical Officer for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital; Susan Baughey, Retired Vice President of Operations for PA Labs; Dr. David Costill, Professor Emeritus of the Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology at Ball State University; Virginia Nilles, Director of Muncie Public Libraries and former Muncie Action Plan Co-Chair; 2014 Legacy Award Recipients Cornelius and Mary Dollison, and Dr. Branam’s wife and business partner Linda Branam.
Nilles, who co-chaired the Muncie Action Plan with Branam, said, “George Branam is one of the very few who seems to be able to juggle a tremendous number of activities. He is also one of the very few who are able to work across the socio-economic spectrum and across the racial and religious spectrums. George Branam can and does routinely work across all spectrums.”
Longtime friend and fellow Indiana University track athlete Jim Lambert spoke to Branam’s determination and kind heart. He reminisced about Branam serving as best man at his wedding and their trips to IU Athletic events.
Dr. Branam was born in Bloomington, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University and received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1957 where he was elected to the AOA, an academic medical honorary. Upon graduation from medical school Dr. Branam enlisted in the United States Air Force, studying the specialized field of pathology and spending a total of nine years stationed in Denver, San Francisco, San Antonio and Dayton before beginning his civilian career in Muncie, Indiana at Ball Memorial Hospital, now IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. At IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital he has had many leadership positions: Chairman of the Clinical Staff and its Executive Committee; Director of Laboratories; and Director of the Pathology Residents Program.
He has 5 children and 12 grandchildren; many church affiliated medical missions to Mexico and Haiti; and an active civic life. Perhaps his highest undergraduate achievement was receiving the Indiana University Big 10 medal for academics, athletics, and citizenship.
All but one year of his professional career has been in teaching hospitals and he has worked with over 300 young physicians in training. The integration of pathology and its application to the everyday practice of medicine to benefit all patients is his passion.
Dr. Branam has been very involved with the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) serving as one of the chairs. He is also a past Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Dr. Branam was also a Muncie Symphony Orchestra Superconductor.
Dr. Branam’s civic contributions include: Rotary International, 1968-Present; Muncie Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, 1980-1986; Muncie Children’s Museum Board of Directors, 1982-1984; Muncie/Delaware County Chamber of Commerce; Horizon and VISIONS Economic Development steering committees. He served on the Muncie City E.D.I.T. Board; Member Health Care Advisory Council Borg-Warner/SelectCircle (PPO), 1993-1998; Triathlon Muncie World Championship Co-Chair, Marketing/Media; Shafer Leadership Academy (charter board member) 2005-Present (board); Cornerstone Center for the Arts (charter board member) 1995-Present (board); Muncie Action Plan (co-founder & co-chair) 2009-Present.
Past Chamber Legacy Award recipients include: Dr. Jo Ann Gora, Past President of Ball State University, Van P. Smith, Techsmith, Inc.; Stefan Anderson, retired CEO of First Merchants Bank; and Mary & Cornelius Dollison.
Open Door Health Services CEO Toni Estep began the evening by greeting guests as the presenting sponsor of the event. Chamber Chairman of the Board of Directors Jeff Daniels presented the award to Branam on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.
Past recipients include: Dr. Jo Ann Gora, Immediate Past President of Ball State University; Van P. Smith, Techsmith, LLC; Stefan Anderson, Retired CEO of First Merchants Bank, and community activists Cornelius & Mary Dollison.
The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community since 1894.
For more information, contact Brenda Brumfield at 765-751-9128 or bbrumfield@muncie.com.