The Society of Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Junior Achievement of Memphis, is pleased to announce that the 2018 recipient of the Master Entrepreneur Award is Bill West. The Master Entrepreneur Award will be presented to Bill West, on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the 26th Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet.
This esteemed honor is given to the member of the Society who best exemplifies the full range of characteristics: self-direction, determination, creativity, leadership, and integrity that are necessary for membership in the Society. This person is, in other words, a perfect example of the capacities, accomplishments, and breadth that result from the fullest development of the entrepreneurial spirit.
Bill West is not just a physician, but also an entrepreneur. In 1979, he opened a two-room oncology clinic in downtown Memphis, the highly successful West Clinic (now West Cancer Center) with his wife Carole at his side. Over a ten-year period when he was leading West Clinic, Dr. West was the Director of the nation’s largest stem cell treatment network with affiliates in over 50 U.S. cities. Standards set by that network still guide bone marrow transplant procedures for over 20,000 Americans each year.
And though he no longer actively practices there, it continues to bear his name in recognition of his immensely valuable past service and contributions in the treatment of cancer. West Cancer Center has over 800 staff members, 15 locations, and over 150 physicians and researchers.
West Cancer Center continues to provide state of the art, highly skilled multidisciplinary cancer care with the best of supportive care and opportunities to participate in leading edge clinical trials. West Cancer Center is respected nationwide for its contribution to clinical cancer research.
As was always his dream, West Cancer Center is now firmly on the path to receive National Cancer Institute designation under the leadership of Drs. Lee Schwartzberg and Kurt Tauer, the first oncologists recruited to Memphis by Dr. West in the early 1980’s. He currently serves as Chair of Philanthropy for The University of Tennessee West Institute for Cancer Research, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising funds for adult cancer research, education and patient care.
In 2005, Dr. West diversified into preventive care with the formation of The Prevention Group and purchase of the physical exam center Lifesigns. Under Dr. West’s direction, Lifesigns has tripled its annual patient volume and has moved beyond examination centers to become a full-service employer-focused primary care provider. Lifesigns maintains a commitment to minimal wait times, quality time with the attending physician and robust reporting via a proprietary electronic health portal.
More recently, The Prevention Group has launched a mobile division doing business as “HealthyHere” to provide preventive care services at the worksite for employees who lack a relationship with a clinical provider. In conjunction with this mobile effort, Lifesigns/HealthyHere has developed and is continuously improving a no charge 4-month diabetes prevention program for patients found to be prediabetic. This program involves scientifically developed nutrition plans with text and email support.
Bill West has a heart for community service; including serving as Chairman of the campaign for the Alzheimer’s Day Care facility known as Dorothy’s Place. West is also involved with the American Cancer Society, Christ United Methodist Church and several other organizations.
On behalf of The Society of Entrepreneurs and Junior Achievement of Memphis, congratulations to Bill West, recipient of the 2018 Master Entrepreneur Award.
