A community leader Debbie Harrison was recognized with the 2023 Sparrow Founders’ Award, Sparrow’s highest honor Thursday.

The award is given to a volunteer, community member, retired caregiver, or physician who has made a positive impact on the health of the mid-Michigan region through their involvement with Sparrow.

Harrison said she began her journey with Sparrow by having three children there before volunteering with a group that helped raise money for pediatric health.

“They’re doing good research that will help our most vulnerable growing population,” Harrison said.

Debby and her late husband, Judge Michael G. Harrison, have been supporters of Sparrow for many years, creating two endowments at the Sparrow Foundation; the Deborah L. and Michael G. Harrison Mammography Endowment and the Michael G. Harrison Endowment for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care. Debby has also been deeply involved in senior health efforts at Sparrow, was a member of the Women’s Board of Managers, and served as chair of the Sparrow Hospital Guild. We are forever grateful to Debby for her tireless work and for making the heart of our community such an important part of her life. She is a special part of our Sparrow family.

The Founders’ Award honors the spirit of our founders, the 114 charter members of the Women’s Hospital Association. These women signed the charter for a new hospital in Lansing on March 18, 1896; for the first time, Sparrow Health System held the ceremony during Volunteer Week to honor all of our incredible volunteers, like our original founders. Past recipients of the Founders’ Award include the late Michigan State University hockey coach Ron Mason, business leaders Dick Iding and Alton and Janice Granger, and last year’s winners, Charles and Lexcie Blockett. 

Photos courtesy of Sparrow Health System