TEMPLE, Texas– To honor his decades of generous support for children's healthcare, legendary Texas businessman and philanthropist Drayton McLane Jr. was awarded the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' Founder's Award.

McLane accepted the award at the facility bearing his name, Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center in Temple, which is dedicated to helping the children of Central Texas heal and thrive.

"Children are magic," McLane said. "The joy of seeing this hospital and the impact it has had is just immeasurable. It's so important to help someone just starting their life."

The Founder's Award is a highly prestigious award presented annually to a distinguished individual who has made outstanding contributions of time, effort, talent, personal commitment or leadership to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It is named after the organization's founders — Marie Osmond, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joseph Lake.

"Mr. McLane caught the vision of our organization many years ago, and since then, he's expanded our partnerships and helped raise more than $100 million for CMN Hospitals," said Teri Nestel, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "As a founding member of our Board of Governors years go and as an advocate for children's health still today, we're honored to present this award to him."

"Drayton McLane Jr. is one-of-a-kind," said Jack Martin, Baylor Scott & White Holdings Board chairman. "For decades, he has poured his heart and resources into furthering healthcare for children, and it has made a difference in so many lives. No one deserves this recognition more than he does. It's wonderful to see him honored in this way."

"Drayton McLane Jr. continues to make his mark on Texas through his generosity," said Pete McCanna, chief executive officer of Baylor Scott & White Health. "His passion for helping children and families has made a huge impact. And at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's hospital and clinics, families throughout Central Texas will continue to benefit for generations to come."

Hope and Healing for Central Texas Children

Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's is named in honor of a generous gift by McLane, his wife Elizabeth, their sons and their sons' families. McLane worked to bring specialized pediatric care to the region and was deeply involved in establishing the free-standing children's hospital and clinic. He continues his involvement as a trustee and active supporter.

"Our family is so proud to be part of this hospital," McLane said. "McLane Children's has grown larger and faster than any of us thought it would. It's become a magnet, and I think its potential is unlimited."

Since its opening in 2011, Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's has cared for tens of thousands of children, earning a designation as a Level II pediatric trauma center, the only one between Dallas and Austin. The medical center also has a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, the highest designation for premature infant care. Covering 40 pediatric specialties, the hospital's medical staff of more than 220 providers works alongside pediatric nurses and specially trained support staff to provide care, ranging from preventative care to long-term support for chronic conditions and responsive emergency treatment when seconds count.

"I've heard several parents say if they had not had a children's hospital in Temple, that young person probably would not have made it to Dallas or Houston to get hospital treatment. And so, it saved their life," McLane said. "So that fires you up."

McLane's dedication to Baylor Scott & White stretches back to the 1970s when he joined the Scott & White Healthcare board of directors. He served as chairman of the board for 14 years and was the first chairman of the unified board of trustees after the merger of Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare in 2013, creating the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas.

"I like to borrow a phrase I learned from my time being involved with a major league baseball team," McLane said. "The players would say the hardest thing was playing so many games back-to-back, day after day. But win or lose, there were only two words you needed to remember: hope and tomorrow. And I think that's what McLane Children's gives — hope for kids who need healing and the help parents need to prepare their children for tomorrow."

Supporting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

McLane became involved with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals thanks to the encouragement of a friend and colleague. He then involved his family, McLane Company, colleagues and customers in the not-for-profit's mission. He also served on the board of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

"It was exciting to get our employees involved in it, and our customers. It's fun!" McLane said. "It's easy to get excited about helping children."

The fundraising campaign that McLane helped launch continues today and, since 1987, has raised more than $100 million to aid local children's hospitals all over the United States.

More than 10 million children across the U.S. and Canada enter a pediatric hospital like Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's every year for treatment. For 40 years, since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has provided financial support to help cover funding gaps many children's hospitals experience. To date, the organization has provided more than $8 billion to help children get the care they need at 170 children's hospitals. Its fundraising partners and programs support the not-for-profit's mission to change kids' health to change the future.

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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit:BSWHealth.com