Bishop Wester honored with 'Legacy of Life' award

Jeffrey Allred

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Bishop Wester thanks those attending the Heart and Lung Research Foundation's 2014 Legacy of Life banquet for their service to others, and says he is humbled to receive the award. Courtesy photo/Jeffrey Allred

SALT LAKE CITY — Calling the Most Rev. John C. Wester "a champion for all causes that uplift and enrich the human soul," Intermountain Research and Medical Foundation’s Heart and Lung Research Foundation honored the Bishop of Salt Lake City along with Dr. Alan H. Morris at the 2014 Legacy of Life Gala, April 3 at the Little America Hotel. 

Morris is director of research and medical director of the Pulmonary Function and Blood Gas Laboratories for the Urban Central Region of Intermountain Healthcare. He also is a professor of medicine and adjunct professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

In the 1970s Morris began research on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, or ARDS, a life-threatening condition. As a result, Morris established the first intensive care unit in Utah, as well as a transport service for critically ill adults that became the foundation for Life Flight and AirMed. In addition, he developed a training program for medical professionals working in critical care medicine. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 articles for medical publications.

"But foremost, Alan Morris has been dedicated to finding and delivering the very best care that he can to the patients of this community," said C. Gregory Elliott, MD, who presented the award at the dinner.

The Legacy of Life award recognizes eminent leaders with Utah ties for their contributions to the well-being of mankind, said Laura S. Kaiser, executive vice president and COO of Intermountain Healthcare, who served as master of ceremonies.

In the video presentation, Elder M. Russell Ballard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve, said he felt an immediate kinship and a friendship with Bishop Wester when they met. "What a good man. I like him," said Elder Ballard, who attended the dinner with other LDS dignitaries. "I think the thing that impresses me is that he can talk to the Legislature and he can talk to the poorest of the poor, and he connects because he has that kind of a personality that is warm and reachable and calm. ... I really appreciate John Wester as part of our community."

Bishop Wester exemplifies his motto, "abide in Christ," in many ways, including his love of Scripture, "but primarily by his presence, by his service. I think that’s what he does so well," said Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, on the video.

Maria-Cruz Fimbres, who tutors Bishop Wester in Spanish, said she was originally scared to meet him, but "He’s down-to-earth and easy-going and a very normal, regular person that you feel comfortable with. … He wants to bring the Hispanic community together and to be part of one big community as Catholics, so for him it’s very important to be able to communicate with them."

Before presenting the award, Francis A. Madsen, chairman of the Legacy of Life Committee, said Bishop Wester "came to this community with a desire to serve any- and everyone. He showed compassion, understanding and kindness to all, regardless of religious affiliation. He wanted to serve the immigrant, the homeless, the sick, those who were without hope. He ministered to those in need both spiritually and temporally wherever they happened to be. In my view, he is a champion for all causes that uplift and enrich the human soul."

In his acceptance remarks, Bishop Wester said the highlight of the night for him was to be associated with someone like Dr. Morris, whom he met before the dinner. He added that he felt a sense of optimism and joy because "everyone in this room tonight, in one way or another, is dedicated to helping others, is dedicated to serving the common good and to improving people’s lives."

Since coming to Utah, "what I’ve noticed about people again and again and again is their dedication, their love of God and their love of neighbor," the bishop said. "I never could have imagined so many years ago that I would be sent here, and I thank God every day that I have been."