Louis Basten’s family story is interwoven with the history of healthcare in central Virginia and Centra. He points to his grandfather, the late David Hugh Dillard, as an example of the impact one person can have – for generations to come – when they care about the health and quality of life of people in their community. His personal story is one of deep appreciation for quality care and continuing impact.
“He was a giver,” a dedicated humanitarian.
That’s how Louis Basten describes his grandfather, the late David Hugh Dillard, a prominent Lynchburg philanthropist and industrialist who made an indelible impact on not only his life, but on the lives of countless others in our local communities.
“He set an enviable standard of sharing his time, energy and business success with his hometown community,” Louis reflected. “That’s who he was. He cared and was destined to make a difference, and because he cared, he made things better for everyone. Three years ago, a cousin sent me a large box of scrapbooks and newspaper articles documenting our grandfather’s family life and business career, including his Lynchburg General leadership, which would eventually become Centra.”
In 1946, Dillard, then president of Old Dominion Box Company, was recruited to serve as the first chairman of the board of Lynchburg Hospital Authority, which oversaw the facilities and operation of Lynchburg General. This board transitioned the hospital from the full subsidy by the City of Lynchburg to an independent, viable nonprofit corporation. He served in the role for 14 years until 1960.
Now, 55 years after his death, Louis, more than ever, appreciates and feels a responsibility to help perpetuate his grandfather’s vision and wisdom.
“He is one of the Dillard dozen,” Louis shared about his grandfather. “His sister was the artist Queena Stovall. Their father died at age 48, leaving the family in near poverty. With a fifth-grade education, he started from scratch and made good. He helped support his family, and with great success in the following years, our community became his primary financial beneficiary. That is his legacy. And a large part of that legacy is the hospital and our healthcare system.”
‘The greatest asset this region has’
The notion that our community is better when we help people – and appreciation for his grandfather’s impact – is at the forefront of his mind each time Louis turns to Centra for care.
“Centra has a tremendous impact on the over 500,000 people who live in this region,” Louis said. “It’s the greatest asset this region has. I am proud that my grandfather is one of many who made this care possible. The care I’ve received has been great.”
Louis has recently turned to Centra more frequently, including for its nationally recognized heart and vascular care, since “things start to wear out a bit more as you get older.”
A former triathlete and avid skier who took up ballroom dancing in his 60s, he gives, in addition to the cardiac team, specific praise to James Meadows, MD, his internist, and Cory Passman, MD, his urologist, for getting him through the bumps.
One of those bumps came three years ago. He recalls looking at his smartwatch, which indicated his heart was beating 140 beats faster than it should have been. Hardly able to walk up a flight of stairs, he got in his car and headed to Centra Urgent Care on Forest Road.
“They checked me out and I asked if I could go home because I had things to do that day,” he said with a chuckle. “The PA I saw informed me that I would be going to the emergency room at Lynchburg General instead. They kept me for a few days, got my AFib pulse back to normal, and made an appointment at Stroobants Cardiovascular Center.”
Eventually, Matthew Sackett, MD, performed a cardiac ablation, “a minimally invasive, highly technical, surgical procedure. He was just very up-front about the options and the risk, which I appreciated,” Louis said.
“The procedure was successful. It was the greatest medical miracle of my life. I also received excellent cardiac care there from Dr. Justin Anderson and staff. Consequently, I am most thankful for the lease on life I’ve received from Centra.”
Gratitude for quality care
As someone who believes that “if you appreciate what you have received, you will do something significant to help if you can,” Louis supported the recent Centra Celebration, and, years ago, designated a significant residual estate gift to the Centra Foundation. He believes that “Centra should be in everyone’s estate plan.”
“I would like to think I’m a giver, too,” he said. “As it was with my grandfather and blessed by God’s Spirit, when I finish this life, I want this to be my legacy, too.”
Establish your legacy
Visit Legacy.CentraHealth.com to learn how you can establish a lasting legacy and impact health for generations to come, and for information on how you can receive complimentary values-based estate planning education.
