Scott Garner, this year's winner of the Baylor Bear Foundation's Moon Mullins Award, served in the U.S. Air Force as a healthcare administrator for 30 years before the retired Colonel returned to Baylor in 2001 to help establish the Healthcare Administration Specialization with the MBA program.

Since its successful start in the fall of 2003, the program has graduated 143 students in 13 classes and has grown to become the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership. Garner continues to teach and also serves as Administrative Director for the Robbins Institute, which encompasses the Robbins MBA Healthcare Program, executive MBA Healthcare Specializations in Dallas and Austin, and a PhD program in Health Services Research.

His primary motive for returning to Baylor and helping to develop the healthcare programs was to make a difference in the lives of students and to teach, mentor and prepare those students to make meaningful contributions to the communities in which they serve.

Scott says his Baylor association allows him to integrate his Christian faith and values as he prepares the future leaders of our nation's healthcare system to provide compassionate healthcare services to "all of God's children."

After earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from Baylor in 1971, Garner started an Air Force career that spanned three decades.

Scott's service included administrator and commander positions at several Air Force medical facilities, to include the Air Force hospital at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia; he served as the Executive Director for Health Policy in the Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense in Washington DC; and, culminating his military service, he was the Deputy Surgeon for Air Combat Command, where he provided operational and fiscal oversight to 17 Air Force medical facilities.

Garner also earned master's degrees from Baylor and West Florida and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Previously, he has received the Commitment to Service Award, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit and four Meritorious Service Medals.

Scott and his wife of 47 years, Ann, have three children and have remained loyal supporters of Baylor Athletics through their Bear Foundation membership and attendance at various sporting events. Created as a memorial to the late Moon Mullins, former executive director of the Bear Foundation, the Moon Mullins Award is presented annually to a current or retired faculty/staff member or dedicated member of the Baylor family who unselfishly gives of his or her time, talent and financial support to the Baylor Athletics program.

Additionally, honorees must be a current member of the Bear Foundation and committed to the education of student-athletes, as well as being dedicated to family, friends and colleagues and leading a Christian life.

For more information about the Bear Foundation, visit BaylorBearFoundation.com.