One Man’s Impact on Local Community Health: Roger Elliott’s Role with the Foundation
February 12, 2026 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The postponement of the 20th Anniversary Gala allows the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation more time to share its history. As you know, the Foundation started because of a group of visionary citizens. The start wasn’t easy, as any volunteer non-profit can
attest. It took a few years to get the momentum needed for buy-in from local citizens and, with
changes in the hospital administration, time to get the support of new hospital leadership.
There was one man tasked with getting the organization off the ground, Roger Elliott. He was already a community leader and successful business man. It was no surprise when the Hopkins County Hospital District, who owned and operated the hospital at the time, tapped him to lead the formation efforts for a healthcare foundation.
He was able to get the community support with and the commitment of the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital administration to get the project off the ground. The date the Foundation considers it start, May 1997, was one of many milestones Elliott led the early organizers to meet. The culmination was receiving IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit status in 2000.
At the time of the formation of the Foundation, the local hospital worked closely with Baylor Hospital. The Baylor Foundation assisted with information and advice about how to form a new Foundation and set up fundraising policies.
In the twenty-eight years since the Foundation began, there have been sixty-five local volunteers lead the Board of Directors and five executive directors. The Foundation has raised over $8.5 million for Hopkins County healthcare, o which over $3.5 million has been provided from the Gala.
What a legacy those early leaders left. What a blessing for the entire Hopkins Countycommunity. The seed that Roger Elliott planted and nurtured continues to grow while creating healthcare opportunities to benefit the entire community.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, provides
free clinics, educational programs, and a room full of free breast cancer supplies for the community. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the Hopkins County Breast Cancer Support Group.
The Foundation partners with the local non-profit hospital, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the state special district, the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS to assist them with fundraising so they can have the necessary resources to provide the best care possible. The Foundation does all of this for one reason…because you deserve access to high-quality local healthcare.
Photo 1:
Since we are still focusing on the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala history, here is
one from the Mardi Gras Ball themed Gala held on January 25, 2020. Dee and Roger Elliott
were the Gala Honorees that year. Photographed making remarks is Roger Elliott, while (l-r)
Dee Elliott, Pam Black, Dr. David Black, and Meredith Caddell look on.
The Chairs of the 2020 Gala were Pam and Dr. David Black. The Gala proceeds were used to
purchase a LUCAS CPR machine for the emergency room and a Vascular Ultrasound Machine
for the radiology department, both for the local hospital. Photo used compliments of Isael Lewis.
Dee and Roger Elliott pose with a vintage auto at the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s
2013 Putting on the Ritz Gala. In the 1990s, Roger was asked by the Hopkins County Hospital
District to lead the formation of a healthcare foundation. At the time, the Hopkins County
Hospital District ran the local hospital. Through Elliott’s leadership, the Hopkins County Health
Care Foundation was established.
The 2013 Gala was chaired by Sheila and Arvis Tanton. Proceeds that year were used to
purchase a Philips Monitoring System for the local hospital.
