James K. Elrod, president and chief executive officer of Willis-Knighton Health System, is among five Louisianians who will be honored by Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting at its Louisiana Legends Awards Gala and Auction.

The event, a fundraiser for Friends of LPB, will be held on Thursday, May 3, in Baton Rouge at the Old State Capitol.

This year’s honored legends also include D-D Breaux, LSU gymnastics coach and National Coach of the Year; technology entrepreneur Thomas Chance; Ted Jones, former chief lobbyist for Louisiana in Washington, DC; and author and community leader Sybil Morial.

The award honors the best and brightest of Louisiana’s sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in a variety of disciplines and have brought honor to the state. Elrod is being cited for his leadership of Willis-Knighton and contributions to healthcare in North Louisiana and is the first hospital executive to receive this prestigious honor. He is also distinguished as the longest tenured hospital administrator in the United States.

Begun in 1990, the Louisiana Legends Gala is a fundraising and public awareness project that draws support and participation across the state from citizens who value the many fine instructional, educational and cultural programs LPB provides.