John "Jack" England, Lower Burrell

There is an idiom that says, “Don’t let grass grow under your feet”. John “Jack” England of Lower Burrell is one of those persons. After a long career in the health field, he retired in 1998 after being President and Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny Valley Hospital (now the Alle-Kiski Medical Center) for 21 years. Although he and his wife Carol are from the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area, they chose to remain in this area.

Jack, as he is known, not only made significant changes for growth at Allegheny Valley Hospital, he has continued to make an investment in the community in many other ways. One significant area has been his association with Penn State New Kensington. He has not only been a friend and donor to the campus, but served on the campus Advisory Board for two terms. He was instrumental in establishing the $50,000 Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship and personally given generously to the endowment. Prior to that, he delivered the commencement address in 1996.

Jack said, “Scholarships are important to me because it enables some students to go to college or stay in college when they could not be able to do so otherwise.” That strong belief in helping young people with their education also led him to be the first President of the Burrell Education Foundation. The foundation provides support for a variety of projects designed to enhance the educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for students of the Burrell School District and the residents of Upper and Lower Burrell communities.

Another organization that Jack was instrumental in founding was the Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation. In 1985 he had a hospital wide organizational review that led to reorganization. The fund raising division was spun off and became a separate entity. As an independent community resource, it not only supports the hospital, it reaches out to establish and develop community programs that foster, promote and improve good health and quality of life. This Foundation touches the lives of young children through seniors and community organizations through its programs and educational seminars. It certainly is a credit to Jack London and those who have committed themselves to serving the community.

Jack is also a member of the Burrell Rotary. The Rotary invests considerable time, labor and money in community projects. He also is a volunteer member of the local American Cancer Society. He has been involved with the Relay for Life program and was also asked to help the Society with health legislation. Although retired, his skills at negotiation became a valuable asset for the Society in Harrisburg. Jack met with legislators and worked on their behalf to help educate and promote preventive cancer screening.

Jack believes retirees have a lot to offer. Their years of labor, time and experience can benefit society. “A lot of retired people don’t know how to go about finding ways to help,” he said. He pointed out that organizations such as the American Cancer Society, churches, and local organizations could use retiree’s experience. He is also active at St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church. Although he is 71 years old, he shows no signs of letting up.

Jack earned his Master’s degree in hospital administration from George Washington University while serving in the Air Force for nine years (with the rank of Captain). He was working at the Washington Health Center when he was selected to head Allegheny Valley Hospital after a nation wide search for a new President and CEO in 1977. He was responsible for reshaping the hospital and a $35 million facility improvement program.

Jack and Carol raised four sons, William, John, Andrew and Thomas. One lives locally with the others in Philadelphia, Panama City (FL) and Columbia. They enjoy traveling, visiting their children and a relative in California. They have taken courses at Penn State in American Literature, Shakespeare, computers and algebra. Their love of Shakespeare has taken them to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, and attending the Shaw Festival. They also go to Strafford, Ontario for the same purpose.