April, 2016
Volume 14, Issue 1
A MESSAGE
FROM GUY
Guy Guarino,
Chief Development Officer
In December 2015, Catawba Medical
Foundation and Catawba Valley Medical
Center hosted a very meaningful dedication of a special new display, Steps Into
the Future. This beautiful new exhibit
on the Pavilion connector between the
Birthing Center and the Pediatric Unit
features hundreds of medallions with
the name, footprint and date of birth
of newborns born at our facility. While the Footprints program has been
around for decades, a generous gift provided by the Abernethy Charitable
Trust allowed us to build a new display that really showcases these important keepsakes. On behalf of CMF, I would like to say a special thanks to
John and Janet Wepner who helped facilitate the project. John and Janet lost
their precious infant daughter, Eleanor Ruth, last spring but they wanted to
remember her in a lasting way by dedicating this display to her memory.
John Wepner, who is the oldest grandson of Claude and Raenelle Abernethy
of the charitable trust, spoke graciously about the philanthropic spirit of his
grandparents during the dedication ceremony. It was a special moment for
the foundation.
While Catawba Medical Foundation always appreciates the generous monetary donations given to the foundation, sometimes we fail to recognize the
gift of time that many individuals give to us. A great example of this giving
of time is our board of directors. Every one of our directors leads a busy
and successful life, but each one takes time to attend our meetings and
functions, to give prudent financial oversight, and to connect us with new
friends and potential donors. This year we are thrilled to welcome five new
members to our board: Jennifer Clark, Jeremy Krech, Nancy Miller, Dr. Jeff
Neal, and Greg Terry. Each of these new members brings energy, new ideas
and thoughtful insight to our programs. With all the things they could be
putting their time into, I’m grateful that they have picked Catawba Medical
Foundation as one of their priorities. Please join me in welcoming this
great group of new members!
PLANNING A CHARITABLE BEQUEST
While Catawba Medical Foundation actively seeks contributions now from
individual, corporations and larger foundations to support the mission of
CVMC, we also realize that planned giving is important to the future of our
medical center. A charitable bequest is one way you can help Catawba Medical Foundation continue to provide the best healthcare for our community
into the next generations.
Leaving CMF a gift in your will or living trust is a simple way to make sure
that you are remembered for your concern for quality healthcare for the
Catawba Valley community. A bequest costs you nothing now, yet allows
you to know that you have joined with others to make excellent healthcare
a priority. You can contact the office of Catawba Medical Foundation for
sample language to use in your estate planning. Any gift you plan from your
estate—cash, securities or real estate; a designated cash amount or a percentage of the estate—is entitled to unlimited federal estate tax charitable
deduction, and you continue to control that gift during your lifetime.
A simple bequest to Catawba Medical Foundation is an easy way for you
to support our mission and leave your legacy of compassion for the future.
If you are planning to include CMF in your estate plans, please let us know
so that we can recognize you in the Oren L. Cline Philanthropy Center and
include you in our Legacy Society events.
INSIDE:
• Steps Into the Future Dedication
• Welcome New Board Members
• Heartwarming Letter from Father of Triplets
HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTION HELPS
RECENT SUCCESS
The following is a letter from the new father of triplets recently born at CVMC’s renovated Birthing Center. It is a moving illustration of
the impact donor contributions have at the medical center.We also invite you to watch this video for more on the Payseur’s story.
Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has been named a
recipient of:
BEN & JEN PAYSEUR WISHED FOR A MIRACLE:
• Women’s Choice Award - America’s 100 Best Hospitals
For Patient Experience (2012-2016)
They Received THREE!
and told she would not leave until the babies were born, which
happened to be at just after 6pm that evening, at 28 weeks. This
was 8 weeks earlier than anticipated and 12 weeks earlier than
our due date. I have been told that Eli, Wade and Lizzy Payseur
are the first triplets born at Catawba Valley in approximately 6
years and the first to be born in your new facility. Needless to
say, there was a lot of activity surrounding us.
Dear Mr. Rose:
It seems this day in time, most people have a number of
avenues to complain about things, whether it be via emails,
letters, surveys and social media. It is rare for any of us to
take time and tell individuals and organizations about jobs well
done and going “above and beyond.” This letter is to commend
Catawba Valley Medical Center Women’s Pavilion for serving
as a great example of exemplary service and compassion.
To provide a brief background, my wife, Jennifer and I found
out in June that we were expecting triplets, much to our
surprise. Our knowledge of Catawba Valley Medical’s birthing
center was foreign to us both but we assumed we would need
to be in Charlotte or Winston-Salem to receive the type of
care needed when our children would be born, specifically the
NICU. After some persuasion,
my wife convinced me to take
a tour of your NICU facility
with Lori McNeely. We were
instantly impressed and knew
this would be where our
children would be delivered.
While our due date was
January 27th, we knew we
would deliver no later than
December 29th, however, those
plans changed quickly on the
morning of November 5th.
After hours of pain and back
labor, Jennifer was admitted
From the moment our babies were delivered, with over 20
people in the operating room, the level of care we received
was fantastic. The entire staff on the labor and delivery floor
were exceptional, including those cleaning our room and
delivering the food. They all were compassionate, caring,
concerned, energetic, and knowledgeable people that made
our several day stay in the hospital as enjoyable as it could
possibly be. To say we were very pleased is an understatement
and that is just the beginning of our 2 month experience with
Catawba Valley Medical.
As you can imagine, having babies this early caused a lot of
concern for Jennifer and I but also our caregivers. We were
immediately introduced to the many people on the NICU
floor. At the time, I do not think either of us realized the
impact these people would have on ours and our babies’ lives.
While the first week was very stressful in learning who our
caregivers were and what all the “beeps” and “noises” meant,
everyone was overly helpful in explaining all that was going on.
When it was time to leave the hospital without our children,
we both knew they were in great hands.
Jennifer and I have each been at the NICU multiple times per
day for the past nearly 60 days. Jackie Miller and Lori McNeely
have assembled what I would consider to be an all-star team
of doctors, nurses, practitioners and others to truly make
this facility one of the best
in the country. Drs. Wellman
and Berry, along with all the
practitioners, were wonderful,
taking time to make sure we
understood all that was going
on with our babies on nearly
a daily basis. These people
are very much experts in
their fields but the manner
at which they took time to
communicate with us made
the information much more
manageable.
Jennifer and I have come to have such an appreciation for these
exceptional nurses on the NICU floor. We would like to list
them all by name but the list is too exhaustive to do so, which
is a testament to just how many wonderful people we have
dealt with over the past 2 months. These ladies are simply too
amazing for words. They have been with us for many highs and
a few lows as we experienced the NICU premature baby roller
coaster. They always smiled, took time to allow us to help in the
care of our babies, all the while providing invaluable instruction
so we could learn. When things were tough and were not
going as planned, they offered words of encouragement and
compassion and the plan for how things were going to get
better. These ladies have become family to us and we have both
agreed one of the hardest things about our stay at Catawba
Valley Medical is leaving this team behind, knowing we will not
be seeing them each day. We are already looking forward to the
day when we can take our babies back to see the people that
helped get them ready to come home.
I write this letter knowing that later today, our two boys will
be coming home for the first time, with our little girl following
on Monday, January 4th. While we are excited beyond belief,
we are also terrified and a little sad that we are leaving
behind such wonderful people. Everyone we have dealt with
has shown us how lucky this community is to have such an
amazing facility nearby. While anyone can have a state of the
art hospital with the newest and nicest amenities, these things
do not mean anything without great people. The team at the
women’s pavilion is without a doubt some of the best people
that could be asked for.
On behalf of the entire Payseur family, we would like to thank
you, Jackie Miller, Lori McNeely, Drs. Wellman and Berry and
countless other nurses and staff who helped keep our children
healthy and ready to come home. While the good Lord
blessed us with healthy babies to begin with, all the care this
team provided allowed them to progress quickly to be able to
come home just over 8 weeks after their birth. Jennifer and I
have become two of your biggest cheerleaders for Catawba
Valley Medical Women’s Pavilion.
Best regards,
Ben Payseur
• American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on
Cancer (CoC) (2016)
• Women’s Choice Award - America’s Best Hospitals for
Obstetrics, Cancer Care and Bariatric Surgery
• Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care - Heart Failure
Accreditation – (2015)
Amber Hice, RN, BSN,
PCCN, CMC (left) is
congratulated by
CVMC Heart Failure
Specialist Sara Paul, DNP,
FNP, on leading the center
to receive Heart Failure
Accredication
by the Society of
Cardiovascular Patient Care
STEPS INTO
THE FUTURE
WOMEN MAKING
A DIFFERENCE
Women in Philanthropy is a giving-group of women who feel
that pooling their assets can have more impact than their
single gift can have. For an annual contribution of $500, WIP
members gather several times a year for fun and fellowship
as well as educational opportunities. Once a year, the group
hears grant requests from CVMC departments and can
choose what projects to support.
The new presentation of Steps Into the
Future was made possible by a gift from the
Claude and Raenelle Abernethy Charitable Trust
made in memory of Eleanor Ruth Wepner who died in the
spring of 2015. Baby Eleanor was the first great-grandchild of
the late Claude and Raenelle Abernethy.
At the recent Fall meeting of Women in Philanthropy, the
membership awarded three grants to help different areas in
the hospital:
• A grant for $6000 was given to the
anesthesiology department for a new
educational video for use in the Birthing
Center. The video, explaining the epidural
procedure, will be made available to pregnant
women prior to their admission to CVMC
by their prenatal caregivers, and it will be
shown when they are admitted to the Birthing
Center if necessary.
• A grant for $2000 was awarded to the
oncology department for specially designed
notebooks for newly-diagnosed cancer
patients. The binders called “My Journey
Begins Here” are filled with helpful
information, calendars and suggestions for
navigating cancer treatment and survivorship.
• A grant for $1,320 presented to the Level II
and III nurseries allowed the purchase of 10
Mamaroo swings for the care of babies born
with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Babies
born to mothers who use drugs often suffer
from symptoms that need continual soothing
and these swings allow caretakers to better
provide the care they need.
For more information about joining Women In Philanthropy,
please contact Tracey Bolick at 828.326.3670 or tbolick@
catawbavalleymc.org.
or family members of infants born at CVMC can make a donation
to the foundation for a medallion and a portion of the funds goes
back to support the Birthing Center, NICU
or Pediatrics units of CVMC,” said
Chief Development Officer Guy
Guarino. “The result is a beautiful
display of pink and blue footprints that
will be here for years to come.”
Jennifer Tingen Clark recently presented a check to CVMC
Level III NICU nurses Leslie Knuckles (center) and Katie
Windsor (right) for the purchase of 8 Mamaroo infant swings.
On December 14, 2015, the staff of Catawba Medical
Foundation, the Birthing Center at CVMC and family members
of the Claude and Raenelle Abernethy family dedicated a
newly designed Steps Into the Future. The contemporary new
display located in the Pavilion connector between the Birthing
Center and the Pediatrics Unit features over 700 medallions
etched with the name, birth date and footprint of some of the
newborns born at CVMC over the past four decades
For a donation of $145 to Catawba Medical Foundation, two
silver medallions are etched with the newborn’s name, date
of birth and footprint. One medallion is put on the wall of the
new display and one is sent to the family as a keepsake. Family
members can purchase additional medallions at the same time
for $50. Any infant born at CVMC is eligible for the program,
even if the baby was born decades ago. Bronze medallions
are available in memory of infants with the date of death also
etched into the medal.
“The Steps Into the Future program was created by Catawba
Medical Foundation as an enduring fund-raising program. Parents
For more information about purchasing a footprint medallion,
contact the CMF office at 828-326-3670.
VOLUNTEERS
DONATE
at the SALT Block
BBQ, MUSIC & FUN
SATURDAY, JUNE 4 • 5:00-8:00pm
Bring a blanket, enjoy live music from the Moore Brothers, food by Highland Avenue/
The Crossing at Hollar Mill & beer from American Honor Ale House & Brewery.
$20 for adults includes 2 drink tickets and $10 for ages 7 to 20. Six and under free.
For tickets, visit catawbavalleymedical.org/wipparty or call 828/326-3670.
Presenting Sponsor:
Supporting Sponsors:
Jennifer Tingen Clark
Jennifer Eaker Eckard, PLLC
Realtor®/Broker
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Team Metro
Attorney at Law
Donna Hill
Envoy Mortgage
A portion of your ticket price may be tax-deductible. Proceeds benefit Women In Philanthropy, an organization of Catawba Medical Foundation.
Catawba Valley Medical Center volunteers recently
donated $100,000 to Catawba Medical Foundation. On
behalf of the foundation, Chief of Development Guy
Guarino and Board President Ron Lindler accepted a
check from Barbara Sloop who serves as president of the
volunteer organization.
FOUNDATION
BOARD MEMBER
PROFILE
Tom Goodin, MD
The year of 1967 is an
important one for Catawba
Valley Medical Center
because it opened its doors
to the public. It was also an
important year for Dr. Tom
Goodin: he received his NC
medical license in March
and turned in his application
in September to CVMC,
known then as Catawba
Memorial Hospital. While
his application was accepted
and he became a staff member that year, his life took a turn
when the army called him to Viet Nam in 1968-9.
Dr. Goodin returned safely back to Catawba County
and started practicing family medicine with Dr. Jim Ross.
Although he very much enjoyed being a family “doc,” he
decided to return to school for a naval residency in 1979 for
anesthesiology. After completing that training, Dr. Goodin
returned to CVMC to serve as Chief of Anesthesiology
until his retirement from full-time practice. Dr. Goodin
is the only physician who has served CVMC as Chief of
Anesthesiology, Chief of Medicine, Chief of Staff and Chief
of Surgery. Clearly, he has always been very connected to
this hospital. Even now he fills in for the cardiovascular
lab and supervises a physician’s assistant. Providing quality
healthcare for Catawba Valley residents is not just an
occupation for Dr. Goodin but a lifetime commitment.
While Dr. Goodin enjoys his slower professional pace, he
still stays active in the community. When Guy Guarino
asked him to join the Catawba Medical Foundation board
of directors, he took some time to think about it before
he agreed so that he could make sure he had the time to
devote to the foundation and its mission. “I believe you do
the best you can do,” he said about his life philosophy. “You
try to do what your mama and daddy taught you to do, and
you do what you tell people you will do.”
This follow-though philosophy is what makes Dr. Goodin
a wonderful board member. “I’ve known Tom most of my
life and I know that he has the dedication and the work
ethic to make CVMC better by serving on the foundation
board,” said Guy Guarino, chief development officer. “His life
work has already been serving this community by providing
excellent healthcare at CVMC for almost 50 years. The
foundation is lucky to have him!”
Dr. Goodin is married and has two children, both of whom
are nurse practitioners. It seems healthcare is a family trait.
THE CATAWBA MEDICAL FOUNDATION WELCOMES THE
FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Tingen Clark,
Broker/Realtor, Weichert
Realtors, Team Metro
- Although Jennifer has been
associated with Catawba
Medical Foundation’s Women In
Philanthropy for several years as
a major sponsor of the Party on
the Lawn, she is now lending her
talents to the board of directors.
After graduating from NC State
University with a B.S. in biological
sciences, Jennifer continued her
education at the JY Monk School of Real Estate. Jennifer is a busy
wife and mother of a young daughter, but she still enjoys running,
tennis, reading, traveling, music and cooking.
W. Greg Terry, Vice
President and General
Manager/Operator, Drum
& Willis-Reynolds Funeral
Homes and Crematory - Not
only a successful businessman,
Greg is well recognized throughout
Catawba County for his community
involvement. He has served for
over 27 years as a volunteer
firefighter in the Conover Fire
Department. He may be most
well-known for his dedication to
his alma mater Clemson University and its football team. He and
his wife Julie have two children. In his spare time, he enjoys golf
and travel.
Nancy M. Miller, Retired
Educator - As a past president of
Catawba County Medical Alliance,
Nancy is very aware of how
important good healthcare is to a
community. Nancy has had strong
ties to Catawba Valley Medical
Center through her involvement in
many of her community endeavors
including serving as board chairman
of the Parenting Network. Nancy
is a graduate of the University
of South Florida, but she is a
dedicated supporter of Wake Forest University. Besides spending
time with her husband, Dr. Joel Miller, Nancy enjoys travel,
literature and sports.
Jeremy Krech Commercial
Banker, VP BB&T - Since
Jeremy is married to a nurse, he
knows firsthand the importance of
healthcare and sees the difference
Catawba Valley Medical Center
makes in our area. As a graduate
of Lenoir Rhyne University with a
degree in business administration
and finance, he is very familiar with
our community. Jeremy believes
that it is his duty to be a good
citizen by being involved, and he
is! Jeremy volunteers for the March of Dimes and Fellowship of
Christian Athletes as well as CMF. He also enjoys his free time by
playing golf, basketball and baseball, usually with his son Owen.
D. Jeffrey Neal,
D.O.,Pharm.D.,FACC,
Interventional Cardiologist
- Relatively new to our community,
Jeff has jumped into philanthropic
service by serving on the CMF
board even with a busy cardiology
practice schedule. After attending
the University of Virginia, he
decided to pursue a pharmacy
degree at the Medical College of
Virginia. After he practiced for a
few years as a pharmacist, he again returned to school to pursue
a medical degree at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine,
followed by an internal medicine residency at The Carilion Clinic,
a general cardiology fellowship at OhioHealth, and finally an
interventional cardiology fellowship at The Carilion Clinic. Jeff and
his wife Carrie moved to Hickory so that he could join Catawba
Valley Cardiology. Jeff stays busy outside of work by raising three
active children.
Jody Street, Area Executive,
Peoples Bank
Jody is a lifetime resident of the
Catawba Valley. After graduating
from Bunker Hill High School, he
continued his education with a
degree in economics from UNCChapel Hill. Jody also attended the
University of Pennsylvania’s Stonier
Graduate School of Banking and
Wharton Executive Leadership
Program. Married with two sons,
Jody still finds time to enjoy sports, golf and exercise.
DONOR PROFILE
WHY RUDY
HOLLINGSWORTH
GIVES TO THE
CATAWBA MEDICAL
FOUNDATION
“ When I became aware of
the multitude of support
services and specialized medical
equipment that the Foundation
has provided, I was amazed. This
philanthropic arm of CVMC
supplies an incredible array of
benefits to the community at large and to the patients of the
hospital specifically. I feel my monthly contribution is a true
investment in my future as well as the health and welfare of
the citizens of the Unifour.”
– Rudy Hollingsworth, Supply Chain - Distribution Tech
Catawba Medical Foundation is kicking off its new employee
giving campaign—Catawba Cares! To help design this program,
Chief Development Officer Guy Guarino appointed an
employee cabinet based on the recommendations of their
fellow employees and supervisors. The Employee Giving
Council represents departments throughout CVMC, from
the Birthing Center to Environmental Services. Each member
brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm about how to
reach out to fellow employees about the foundation.
SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 4:30-6:00pm
Evaluating the health of our community:
How does our workforce fare?
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 68
Hickory, NC
810 Fairgrove Church Rd., SE
Hickory, NC 28601
www.catawbavalleymedical.org
828/326-3670
BE AN INSIDER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Are you interested in learning more about how contributions
to the Catawba Medical Foundation benefit our community?
Then join us for a personalized “Be An Insider” tour of
Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Ronald H. Lindler, President Scott M. McCloskey, MD, FACS
Sybil Stewart,Vice President
Nancy Miller
Cindy Sills, Treasurer
Jeff Neal, DO
During your visit, you will get an overview of the many
advanced healthcare capabilities CVMC has to offer.You’ll
also see first-hand the foundation-funded initiatives that are
enhancing medical care for our community.
Bill Shillito, Secretary
Jody Street
Philip M. Armstrong, Jr.
Tom Taylor
Jennifer Tingen Clark
Greg Terry
Tom Goodin, II, MD
Kimberly Whitley
To schedule a personal “Be An Insider” tour, please contact
Guy Guarino at 828/326-3670.
#
Jeremy Krech
My Catawba Medical Foundation Pledge
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________________
Phone: ________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________
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Method of payment: ___ Personal Check ___ Credit Card ______________________ (exp. date: ___/___)
In Honor/Memory of:*____________________________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date:__________________
Please return this form to Catawba Medical Foundation, 810 Fairgrove Church Rd. SE, Hickory, NC 28602. Or visit www.catawbavalleymc.org/pledge.
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