Idaho Leaders United Honors St. Luke’s Health System
(Left-Right) Roger Quarles, Bill Shawver, Doug Gross, Chris Roth, Tracy Jungman, Gary Raney and Tommy Ahlquist.
October 9, 2024 (Boise, IDAHO) – Idaho Leaders United (ILU) hosted its second annual reception in Boise on Monday evening, gathering lawmakers, industry leaders, law enforcement, city officials, and Idahoans from across the state to celebrate ongoing efforts promoting respect, inclusivity, and constructive discourse.
ILU was formed in 2023 in response to rising instances of extremism and political violence, providing a support system for Idahoans who reject prejudice and hate and empowering them to speak out. Since its launch, the coalition has grown to thousands of members statewide, all of whom have taken a pledge to uphold respectful civic engagement, oppose bigotry and discrimination, and reject leaders or groups that endorse violent extremism or lawlessness.
"We're Idahoans before anything else, before being Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, whatever your political persuasion is. We can argue all day long – but in a respectful fashion," said Bill Shawver, ILU board member. "It's incumbent upon each of us to make sure Idaho is what it was for us for our children and great-grandchildren."
The event honored St. Luke’s Health System with the Pillar of Idaho Award. St. Luke’s Health System’s steadfast leadership and courage to hold bad actors accountable sent a clear message that harmful disinformation and intimidation will not go unchecked. St. Luke's methodical and determined pursuit of justice through the correct legal channels effectively reduced extremist influence over Idaho's political landscape, a boon that will benefit Idaho for generations.
"Tonight, I'm honored to recognize St. Luke's for their commitment to ensuring Idaho stays Idaho, for their resilience, and for standing up in the face of extremism," said Dave McFadyen, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center President. "It is my privilege to recognize Chris Roth and his team for all their efforts. We stand together with you, Chris, and look forward to many more years."
"The decision to take this action was rooted in St. Luke's core focus on safety. We felt that we were in a unique position to stand up to extremism and hold people accountable for their actions," said Chris Roth, president and CEO of St. Luke's Health System. "I’m here representing St. Luke’s as an organization, but I really want to thank all our team members - caregivers, our legal team, our board, and so many others for their commitment and support.