Laura Richard of Lancaster has been named as Director of the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation (EMHCF). She will assume her role on December 12. For more than a quarter of a century, the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation has been dedicated to improving the health of those in the communities that Ephraim McDowell Health (EMH) serves. The Foundation provides philanthropic support allowing EMH to provide the most advanced, comprehensive and compassionate care to its patients.

“I’m thrilled and humbled to join the Ephraim McDowell team on its mission to better our communities. I look forward to working with our loyal donors and watching their contributions make a difference,” said Richard.

Richard most recently served as membership and marketing director for Danville Country Club, where she managed member relations, events, fundraising, and marketing. She also is president and owner of Larland Beef. Prior to those roles, Richard was experience director at Taylor Made Farm from June 2011 to September 2020.

Richard is a 2010 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a bachelor’s of arts in Broadcasting & Electronic Media. She is a board member of the Boyle County Farmers Market, Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce, and Garrard County Industrial Development Authority. She previously served as a board member for Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce and is a Leadership Lexington and Leadership Central Kentucky alumni.

“We are pleased to welcome Laura as the director of the Foundation,” said Dan McKay, president and CEO of Ephraim McDowell Health. “She has valuable experience in fundraising and working with community leaders, as well as event planning. We are confident that she will further grow our Foundation so that it can continue to invest in the health of the communities we serve.”