SCK Health Presents SCK Healthcare Advocate Award

SCK Health Foundation announced the establishment of the Healthcare Advocate Award at the 2024 Gala on Saturday evening. This award aims to recognize and honor an individual, business, or healthcare professional, that has made a difference in rural healthcare in Cowley County. The Foundation intends to present this award annually, celebrating the recipient’s actions of the prior year. Foundation Director Pam Crain announced Ms. Carlla Pike as the 2024 recipient stating, “While there were many worthy candidates for this honor, we are delighted to present the first award to an individual who has partnered with the SCK Health Foundation since its inception, Ms. Carlla Pike”.

In the early 1960s, Carlla began her journey in the healthcare field right after graduating from High School. Starting at the Ark City Memorial Hospital, she learned how to take X-rays and her exceptional skills led her to attend a school in Wichita to obtain her x-ray certification. Throughout her career, she worked for various doctors including Dr. Hinshaw, Dr. Campbell, Dr. Morton, and Dr. Larry Green until the early 70s. Her passion for healthcare and dedication to her work was truly inspiring.

In 1962, she married the love of her life, Lawrence Pike, and had three children, Darin, Kevin, and Angela. After leaving the medical field, she became the bookkeeper for her husband’s construction company, LG Pike, while raising their children. To this day, she continues working at LG Pike and carries on her husband’s dream.

Throughout the years, Carlla has been actively involved in her community, teaching Sunday School and leading the youth group at her local church, has taken part in various organizations, such as PEO and Soroptimist, and served on community boards, including the visiting queen’s committee for Arkalalah. Carlla has been a pillar in the community and has shown this through her generous donation initiatives in Cowley County, including efforts with The Burford, House of Hope, Angels in the Attic, and enormous support of SCK Health through the foundation.

Carol Hearne, SCK Health Foundation Board Chairman, said she couldn’t think of a more deserving recipient of the inaugural Health Care Advocate Award. “Carlla is one of the most generous people I know. Not only has she been an advocate of our hospital, but she really cares about the City of Arkansas City and has shown time and again that she is willing to step up and help where the city needs her most.” Carol went on to say that she is proud of all the work the Foundation has done in its few short years of existence and is excited to see where the coming years take us.

SCK Health Foundation congratulated Carlla Pike on everything she has done for not only rural health, but the Arkansas City community. Her dedication and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those in need has been truly inspiring. Citizens like Carlla Pike help make the SCK Health Foundation’s dream of continuing to provide quality healthcare close to home a reality.