Outstanding Citizen Award

The Outstanding Citizen Award

Each year, the Newton Chamber honors one remarkable community member as the Outstanding Citizen—a recognition awarded to an individual nominated by the public and selected by a review committee. This esteemed award celebrates someone who embodies true hometown pride through service, leadership, and ongoing involvement that strengthens Newton.

To be eligible, nominees must have lived in the community for at least ten years and actively contributed through their profession, civic or service clubs, professional groups, churches, or local government.

After nomination forms are submitted, they are reviewed by the previous five Outstanding Citizen recipients, who together select the honoree. The chosen individual is not informed ahead of time, making the announcement at the Chamber Annual Banquet a meaningful and memorable surprise.

If you have questions about this award, please reach out to Pam Stevens at pam@newtonchamberks.org or 316-283-2560.

2025 Outstanding Citizen of the Year – Valerie “Val” Gleason

The Newton Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Valerie “Val” Gleason, Chief Executive Officer of NMC Health, has been named the 2025 Citizen of the Year. The award was presented during the Chamber’s 104th Annual Banquet on October 23, recognizing her exceptional leadership, civic dedication, and decades of service to the Newton and Harvey County community.

Gleason, who has called Newton home for more than 20 years, has devoted her career to advancing local healthcare and strengthening community partnerships. Under her leadership, NMC Health has expanded its services, added new specialties, and forged strong collaborations with organizations such as the Newton Police Department, Meals on Wheels, and the Rotary Club.

Her impact extends well beyond healthcare. Gleason has served on numerous boards, including the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Medical Mutual Insurance Company (KAMMCO), Hesston College, Asbury Park Foundation, Kansas Methodist Foundation, and KidPower, Inc. She is also an active member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.

“Val embodies the very spirit of civic leadership and community service that this award seeks to recognize,” said Daniela Rivas, Newton City Manager. “She leads with compassion and empathy, always seeking to uplift others. Her dedication to improving health and well-being in our community is unwavering.”

Her peers at NMC Health also spoke passionately about her leadership. “Val’s steady and competent guidance has had a profound impact on our ability to serve the community,” said Matthew Schmidt, CEO of Health Ministries Clinic. “She exemplifies servant leadership — always doing what’s best for the community.”

During her tenure, Gleason has guided major projects that directly improved local health access, including:

• Expanding the Emergency Department to meet changing healthcare needs.
• Building partnerships with local law enforcement to enhance safety and emergency response.
• Underwriting outreach programs such as Meals on Wheels.
• Leading through the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continued care for patients and families.

Her vision for community wellness has not gone unnoticed. Gleason has been instrumental in attracting new businesses to Harvey County and supporting initiatives such as the Slate Creek Inclusive Playground and Newton Public Schools programs.

“Val’s contributions go far beyond her professional duties,” said Barth Hague, Chairperson of the NMC Health Board of Directors. “Her integrity, humility, and servant leadership have left an indelible mark on Newton. We could not think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”

The Chamber’s Citizen of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to improving the quality of life in the Newton area.

Past Award Recipients

Below is a list of everyone who has received an Outstanding Citizen award:

1985 – George J. Hanna

1986 – Millicent Claassen

1987 – Walter Claassen

1988 – Bradford Wells

1989 – Katherine Hanna

1990 – Arthur Delmez

1991 – Tom Walker

1992 – Phil Anderson

1993 – Lloyd Smith

1994 – Dick McCall

1995 – Max Graber

1996 – Frank Spangler

1997 – Ted Ice

1998 – Tom Adrian

1999 – Charles Koehn, Sr.

2000 – Chuck Waters

2001 – Ray Penner

2002 – Evelyn Gregg

2003 – John Robb

2004 – Merrill Raber

2005 – Sue Ice

2006 – Willis Heck

2007 – John Suderman

2008 – Christine Downey-Schmidt

2009 – Dewayne Pauls

2010 – Bill Hake

2011 – Virgil Penner

2012 – Steve Kelly

2013 – Nancy Craig

2014 – Ron Harder

2015 – Jim Nickel

2016 – Dr. Milton Claassen

2017 – Jessie Kaye

2018 – Tom Williams

2019 – Ron Lang

2021 – Desiree Martens

2022 – George A. “Chip” Westfall

2023 – Daniels Heinze Jr.

2024 – Darrell Conrade