A new year has arrived, and it’s time for Leadership Vestavia Hills to reflect on the past year.
The community leadership program will host its 2019 Community Awards dinner Feb. 25 at Vestavia Country Club, presenting awards to Dr. Audie Woolley and Gina and John Henley.
Dr. Audie Wooley
Woolley, chief of pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s of Alabama, will receive the Distinguished Citizen Award. The award is given to a Vestavia Hills resident who has made significant contributions regionally, nationally or worldwide.
A native Texan, Woolley is a graduate of Angelo State University and attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He completed a residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Washington University–Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and then took on a fellowship at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
At Children’s of Alabama, Woolley’s work has helped children throughout the state. In 1995, he spearheaded the hospital’s cochlear implant program, which has performed more than 700 cochlear implants.
He is also the co-founder of the Woolley Institute of Speech and Education, formerly named the Alabama School of Hearing.
A featured speaker nationally and internationally on the topic of otolaryngology, he has published numerous articles and book chapters.
Woolley and his wife, Ally, have four children who grew up in Vestavia Hills.
The
Henleys
The Henleys will be honored with the Citizen of the Year Award, which recognizes residents who have contributed to the community and quality of life in Vestavia Hills across many years.
John and Gina Henley have been married for 24 years and have made their mark on many levels, including working with the business community, city government and the school system.
Gina Henley, a Birmingham native, has served as a volunteer coordinator for The Bell Center for Early Intervention, has been a member of the Service Guild of Birmingham and works in development for the St. Vincent’s Foundation.
John Henley, raised in Andalusia, has worked in insurance and risk management for nearly 30 years and is an agent with State Farm.
The couple contributed to the school system in a variety of ways while their two daughters, now college-aged, attended city schools.
John Henley was a presenter for Junior Achievement, was active in the VHHS Band Parents Association and coached for the Vestavia Hills Girls Softball Association.
Gina Henley has held various PTO leadership positions at her children’s’ schools. She has contributed to the Vestavia Hills City School Foundation and chaired its main fundraising event, Dinner and Diamonds, for two years.
While vice-chair for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, Gina Henley served as a liaison among the chamber and the city’s schools and Parent Teacher Organizations. She also is active in the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board and has chaired the Dogwood Festival three times.
On a civic level, John Henley served as a city councilman for four years. In addition, he started the Breakfast with Santa event, part of the annual Holiday in the Hills celebration, and remains actively involved each year.
He was a charter member and president of the Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club and has held multiple leadership roles, including president, with Leadership Vestavia Hills.
The Henleys are members of St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, where they volunteer often.
The Community Awards dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 and will include a seated dinner and program.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at leadershipvestaviahills.com or at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce offices.
—Emily Williams
