Dosher President and CEO Lynda Stanley (foreground) welcomed guests and expressed gratitude for the community trusting Dosher with their care, with Associate Pastor Justin Wells (left) and Marva Robinson (right). Dosher President and CEO Lynda Stanley (foreground) welcomed guests and expressed gratitude for the community trusting Dosher with their care, with Associate Pastor Justin Wells (left) and Marva Robinson (right).
Dosher Celebrates 96 Years of Service
Release date: June 10, 2026
More than 625 community members gathered at Dosher Memorial Hospital on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate the hospital's 96th birthday during its annual community cookout.
Held at the hospital's front entrance, the event brought together residents, public officials, Dosher Trustees, Foundation Board members, staff, volunteers, patients, and supporters for an afternoon of food, music, fellowship, and community spirit.
This year's cookout theme, "Together We Thrive," highlighted the enduring partnership between Dosher and the communities it serves. Guests received commemorative bracelets bearing the theme as a reminder of the shared commitment that has sustained the hospital for nearly a century.
Featured speakers included Dosher Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Howard, Dosher President and CEO Lynda Stanley, and Southport Mayor Joseph Hatem. Marva Robinson led the National Anthem, and Associate Pastor Justin Wells of Ocean View United Methodist
Church delivered the invocation.
"For 96 years, Dosher Hospital has helped our neighbors and patients thrive through healthcare, local jobs, and community outreach, and our local residents have helped us thrive through their ongoing support and trust," said Stanley. "The annual cookout is an opportunity to celebrate that special relationship, which is why this year's theme is so meaningful."
Since launching the community cookout in 2022, Dosher has used the event to celebrate important milestones in its history and future. The 2023 cookout included the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I of the hospital's seven-year Master Facility Plan, which led to the construction of Dosher's new Emergency Department. The expanded facility opened in December 2025 and represents one of the most significant investments in local healthcare in the hospital's history. Last year's 95th anniversary celebration featured a special staff performance of Bill Withers' classic song Lean on Me, symbolizing the caring relationships that connect Dosher's patients, families, caregivers, and community members.
"As we approach our 100th year of service, we are proud not only of the legacy that brought us here, but also of the future we are creating together," Stanley said. "Strong communities thrive when people unite around a common purpose, and we are honored to continue serving alongside the neighbors, patients, and supporters who place their trust in us every day."
Dosher Trustee Chairman Robert Howard discussed the importance of community support for Dosher.
Cookout guests including Dosher Trustee Linda Pukenas (left) and Foundation Board Member Becky Armstrong (right) sport their “Together We Thrive” bracelets
Guests enjoyed a cookout style lunch served by the Dosher Dietary Department.
L-R: Dosher Trustees and Senior Team members Jwantana Frink, Mesha Chadwick, Ed Tusa, Jill Ward, Charles Drew, Robert Howard, Linda Pukenas, Lynda Stanley, and Randy Jones gather around the birthday cake commemorating Dosher’s 96th anniversary.
Held the first Saturday in June for the last five years, the Dosher Community Cookout has become a much-anticipated community celebration and the largest event hosted by Dosher annually. This year, Dosher welcomed over 625 guests.
Photo Credit: Zeb Starnes