Momentum
Fall 2021
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F AT R I U M H E A LT H F O U N D AT I O N
Giving Hope for Rehab TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT TO NAME DAVID L. CONLAN CENTER
Dear Friends, Hope is thriving. At Atrium Health Foundation, our hopes are at an all-time high, as we celebrate the many gifts of time, talent, and support we have witnessed this year. For the countless hours our kick-off chair, Hugh McColl, has committed to Giving Hope: The Campaign for Atrium Health; to the record number of heart transplants performed at Levine Children’s Hospital; to the single largest donation in Atrium Health’s history – we are grateful. During this season of hope, we acknowledge Margaret and Smoky Bissell and Bissell Ballantyne for their transformational gift in support of Atrium Health. Their desire to honor someone special, coupled with their vision and generosity, will help transform healthcare delivery across our health system. Their leadership continues to ignite that spark, which inspires others to follow suit. Many of these stories are highlighted in this issue of Momentum, reflecting the significant impact this community continues to have in building a health system that is inclusive, innovative, and world-class. It's a privilege to be part of an extraordinary team that builds relationships, trust, and momentum for Atrium Health. Together, our donors, teammates, and volunteers embody the heart and spirit of our mission of inspiring transformational giving to promote health, hope, and healing – for all. Thank you for GIVING HOPE!
With gratitude,
Armando L. Chardiet President
Momentum
“Momentum is a powerful word, one that signifies the growth and continual progress we strive for within our health system.”
A Fresh New Perspective on Your Child’s Health...
PEDIATRIC PERSPECTIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS AD
All families want the best for their kids. For some children, the right choice is a membership-based primary care practice. At Atrium Health Levine Children’s Perspective Health & Wellness, we offer an enhanced level of personalized care, availability and convenience. From customized health plans to help managing chronic conditions, we make it easier to address every aspect of your child’s overall health.
To learn more, visit LevineChildrens.org/PHW, call or text 704-381-0500
C O N T E N T S FALL 2021
O N T H E COV E R
P H I L A N T H RO PY I N AC T I O N
2 Cover: David L. Conlan Center named with gift from Margaret and Smoky Bissell and Bissell Ballantyne
ON THE SCENE
11 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
20 Hopebuilders 5K
12 The Duke Endowment
20 Tune Up Your Kidneys
14 The Tepper Foundation
22 Charlotte Knights
15 Springsteen Foundation 15
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14
10
22 Save Your Skin Golf Classic
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
25 Pink Pint Night 25 Swim Across America 30 Hospice of Union County
16 PetSmart Charities
Golf Tournament GA M E C H A N G E R S
31 Ed Stubbs Memorial
Golf Invitational
5 Sandra and Leon Levine 6 Reneé and Dewey Jenkins
U PWA R D
9 Wells Fargo Championship
8
28 Atrium Health Teammates
18 Ace Hardware 19 Walmart and Sam’s Club
A DOSE OF HOPE
I N N OVATO R S
7 Andy and Mac Everett
10 Cameron
8 Francis Robicsek, M.D.
23 Kenny Kahn
17 Dr. Jeffrey C. Blum GIFT PLANNING
32 Season of Giving
IN MEMORIAM
34 Wayland H. Cato, Jr.
29 Anne Springs Close
Foundation
Atrium Health Foundation Board of Directors:
Topgolf RE/MAX T E A M M AT E S P OT L I G H T S
21 Scope Anesthesia 26 Martha Whitecotton 27 Ryan Marshall 27 Rachel Ellis
Mandy S. Houser, Chair; Howard Bissell, III; Todd Collins; Hugh S. (Beau) Cummins III; May Beverly Hemby; Greg Johnson; Beverly Ladley; Doug Lebda; Luther Lockwood, II; Sonja Nichols; Greg Olsen; Manuel Rey; Mike Rucker; Michael Salvino; David Secrest; David Sheffer
Momentum is a publication produced by Atrium Health Foundation. For more information, please call 704-355-4048. © Copyright 2021 by Atrium Health Foundation To opt out of future communications from Atrium Health Foundation, please email ahfoptout@atriumhealth.org, telephone 704-355-4048, or write to: Atrium Health Foundation @ 208 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203.
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Gift of
Gratitude TO ADVANCE REHABILITATION SERVICES
David Conlan (pictured) adhered to the philosophy: Work hard; have fun; make money; and give it away.
DAVID L. CONLAN CENTER ESTABLISHED AT NEW ATRIUM HEALTH CAROLINAS REHABILITATION
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treasured friend and grateful patient family has been honored with a transformational gift that includes support for the new Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation, slated to open in November 2022. In recognition of the $30 million gift, the David L. Conlan Center will be named at Carolinas Rehabilitation. The late David Conlan was a longtime friend, colleague and trusted advisor of Charlotte developer and philanthropist Howard C. “Smoky” Bissell, as well as a partner of the Bissell Family until his passing in August 2021. Smoky, his wife Margaret, and Bissell Ballantyne – the entity in which he partnered – made the donation to honor
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the life of Conlan, who was a patient at Atrium Health and benefited from rehabilitative medicine. The David L. Conlan Center will anchor Carolinas Rehabilitation’s new flagship facility that will replace the current building constructed in the 1970s. The project broke ground in September 2020, marking the first step in the modernization of Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center campus. “We are humbled by Margaret and Smoky Bissell’s tremendous generosity, which will enable Atrium Health to further enhance our latest technology and programs to better serve patients and the surrounding communities,” said Eugene A. Woods, president and CEO of Atrium Health. “In a very poetic way, Margaret and Smoky are not only honoring one life, but impacting thousands through this memorial gift.”
Margaret and Smoky Bissell’s transformational gift supports Atrium Health’s goal to create exemplary facilities and support outstanding education, cornerstones of the comprehensive campaign for Atrium Health, launched earlier this year.
In addition to naming the David L. Conlan Center, the Bissell gift will be used to advance the reach, geography, and efficacy of existing and future Continued on pg. 4
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GIFT OF GRATITUDE Continued from pg. 2
rehabilitation services and programs offered by Carolinas Rehabilitation, which currently encompasses five inpatient hospitals and 18 outpatient locations. Nationally recognized by the American Hospital Association for its commitment to quality, Carolinas Rehabilitation will continue to emphasize quality of care, recruitment of the brightest talent, and patient experience – attributes that are especially meaningful to Smoky and Margaret Bissell. “We experienced, first-hand, the excellent, compassionate care that David received during his hospitalization at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center,” said Smoky Bissell. “Margaret and I are proud to honor him by supporting a facility that truly will reflect the world-class team caring for its patients – a team that grasps best practices, innovation, and attention to detail.” These were qualities that David shared and were crucial to their team’s success. A longtime friend of Atrium Health, Smoky Bissell has had a major influence on the growth of the health system, from leading the campaign to build Levine Children’s Hospital, to providing significant support for cancer programs, Covid relief efforts, research, and education.
THE DAVID CONLAN NAME WILL FOREVER BE LINKED WITH A STATE-OF-THE-ART REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, A PLACE WHERE WOUNDS ARE HEALED, MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE IS ADVANCED, AND LIVES ARE REBUILT. — GENE WOODS
Given Margaret and Smoky Bissell’s passion for education, an additional portion of their gift will support educational opportunities at the new Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist School of Medicine in Charlotte as well as Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.
“Smoky and Margaret have made a tremendous memorial gift that is both personal and transformative for this community,” said Hugh McColl, kick-off chair for the Giving Hope Campaign. “I hope this inspires others to step forward, honor loved ones, and express gratitude for the care they have received.”
SNAPSHOT:
The New Carolinas Rehab • 150,000-square-feet • 70 private patient rooms • 9,300-square-foot outpatient clinic • Outdoor therapy garden • Aquatic therapy program
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• Center for Independent Living
Fully equipped to host both virtual and in-person gatherings, the Sandra and Leon Levine Auditorium will foster an environment where experts can collaborate and innovate. Ideas generated and research introduced in the auditorium will pave the way for improved treatment options, promising clinical trials, and next-generation cardiovascular care – for all.
At the Heart of It: A Gathering Spot for Innovation SANDRA AND LEON LEVINE AUDITORIUM NAMED AT SANGER HEART & VASCULAR INSTITUTE
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hanks to a $1 million gift from The Leon Levine Foundation, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute has a special place for clinicians and educators to gather, right in the heart of their newly opened facility at Kenilworth Medical Plaza. The 150-seat Sandra and Leon Levine Auditorium will be a destination for regional and national cardiovascular symposiums and lectures, as well as daily medical rounds, research updates, and Atrium Health leadership meetings. With their recent commitment, Sandra and Leon Levine continue their legacy of extraordinary support for Atrium Health, which spans decades of transformational gifts to children’s health, cancer care, behavioral health, and more. Each of the facilities that bear their family name have helped take healthcare to the next level. Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute is following suit, with industry experts endorsing it among the best of the best for heart care. Most recently, Fortune ranked Atrium Health among its top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in 2021. Because cardiovascular issues touch the lives of so many in the United States, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute has assumed a national leadership role in building a research and treatment Sandra and Leon Levine model that provides enhanced benefits and offers more hope to more people. Its state-ofBenefactors the-art facility provides patients with the most comprehensive care, ranging from general cardiology to the highest surgical complexity, including adult and pediatric heart transplant programs. Sandra and Leon Levine’s commitment to Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute will help provide improved access to specialty heart care for patients across the Charlotte region. And innovations introduced in the Sandra and Leon Levine Auditorium will help transform the growth and delivery of heart care for generations to come.
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Reneé and Dewey
T
hanks to a transformational $1 million gift
from Reneé and Dewey Jenkins, Atrium
Jenkins
Health Levine Children’s is one step closer to
its next chapter in children’s healthcare with the expansion of the Levine Children’s Outpatient Specialty Center. Located in the pediatric outpatient
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
facility at Carolinas Medical Center, the Reneé and Dewey Jenkins Conference Center will serve as an essential communications hub and gathering place for visitors, hospital staff, and patients. Charlotte business leader Dewey Jenkins has been
instrumental in supporting the growth of Levine Children’s Hospital since 2007, both through his family’s generosity and significant corporate support from his family-owned HVAC and plumbing company, MorrisJenkins. As chair of the hospital’s Board of Ambassadors, Mr. Jenkins and his family continue to lead by example as advocates and benefactors of children’s health in Charlotte and beyond. “Our family's commitment to Levine Children's is as rewarding as it is personal,” said Jenkins. “Years ago, we experienced first-hand the exceptional care Levine Children's neonatal intensive care nursery provides every day to some of the region's most fragile infants. Since that time, and as we've witnessed the continued growth of Levine Children's, it has been our honor to play a role in advancing the nationally ranked pediatric specialties that make Levine Children's a destination for patient-centered care.” The Reneé and Dewey Jenkins Conference Center will advance Levine Children’s multidisciplinary care model by providing space for medical conferencing and collaboration across the pediatric care spectrum. Its establishment marks a milestone in the continued development of Levine Children’s Outpatient Specialty Center, slated for completion in 2025 with plans to expand programs in all pediatric specialties. Dewey and Reneé Jenkins, Benefactors
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A Force of
Friendship
ANDY AND MAC EVERETT HONOR BISHOP GEORGE E. BATTLE JR. WITH MAJOR GIFT
Scholarship Fund Created to Honor Bishop Battle
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friendship forged over decades has resulted in a significant gift that will promote equity in medical education at Atrium Health. Loyal supporters of Atrium Health Foundation, Andy and Mac Everett, donated $250,000 to honor their longtime friend, Bishop George E. Battle Jr. Their gift will be dedicated to the scholarship fund named in Bishop Battle’s honor. The Bishop George E. Battle Jr. Scholarship Fund was established earlier this year with a $5 million commitment from Atrium Health. The fund will support the continuing education of students from underserved communities who are pursuing degrees in health sciences at an Atrium Health-affiliated college or university, including the future Wake Forest School of Medicine in Charlotte. Andy and Mac were some of the first to step up with an additional gift.
Bishop George E. Battle, Jr. is an emeritus member of the Atrium Health Board of Commissioners and Atrium Health Foundation Board. The scholarship bearing his name honors the Bishop’s longstanding service to Charlotte and commitment to supporting fragile communities. For details, visit
Mac, who retired from Wells Fargo as Senior Executive Vice President, Director of Corporate and Community Affairs, worked closely with Bishop Battle during their years of service on the board of commissioners at Atrium Health. In addition, their paths crossed as Bishop Battle led efforts for small businesses and after school programs for at risk youth, while Mac led the United Way and served on the chamber of commerce. Thanks to their longtime friendship and shared passion and commitment to education, students pursuing a health career have hope for a brighter future. 1. The bond between Bishop Battle and Mac Everett extended beyond business and community service and into a friendship forged between their families. When Mac’s daughter married, Bishop Battle was there to officiate; and when his granddaughter Helen came along – the Bishop was there to welcome her.
Atriumhealthfoundation.org/ scholarshipendowment.
2. The Everett's gift follows numerous contributions they have made to health and education, including Levine Children's Hospital, Levine Cancer Institute, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF
MEDICAL PIONEER
Francis Robicsek, MD
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n Saturday, October 30 the family of the late Dr. Francis Robicsek gathered to unveil a bust in his honor in the lobby of Atrium Health’s Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. Dr. Francis Robicsek, founder of the Sanger Clinic, passed away on Friday, April 3rd, 2020 at the age of 94. A humanitarian, global leader, and one of the foremost cardiovascular surgeons in the world, Dr. Robicsek dedicated his life to improving healthcare in Charlotte and around the world. He is remembered fondly as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a revered mentor, colleague and friend. After carefully studying images of Dr. Robicsek and learning more about his life from his family, Charlotte-based sculptor Chas Fagan sought to memorialize Dr. Robicsek’s unique dedication to healthcare in bronze. A special thank you to Peggy and Jim Hynes, Margaret and Smoky Bissell, Ann and Michael Tarwater, The Dickson Foundation, Sanger physicians past and present, and many other friends, colleagues, and grateful patients for commissioning this meaningful tribute.
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ABOUT THE ARIST: American artist Chas Fagan grew up in Belgium and in rural Pennsylvania, gathering inspiration from the rich landscape and history of his surroundings. A self-taught artist, Chas graduated from Yale University with a degree in Soviet Studies. Among his high-profile commissions are statues of President Reagan and Neil Armstrong, and a sculpture of Rosa Parks.
Wells Fargo Championship ADVANCING PEDIATRIC RESEARCH AND PATIENT CARE For years, Champions for Education has been a driving force behind pediatric research and care advancements at Levine Children’s Hospital through its premier tournament – the Wells Fargo Championship. With the continued support of fans of the tournament, Champions for Education is proud to make an annual donation to Levine Children’s. Most recently, the organization made its largest gift to date – $300,000 to support Jeffrey Huo, MD, PhD, and his translational research in the Levine Children’s Pediatric Oncology lab. Through Dr. Huo's research, he hopes to predict relapse or progression of Ewing Sarcoma. In addition, this program will use genetic information to tailor treatment plans for individual patients. With support from philanthropy, this cutting-edge approach to treatment, known as precision medicine, will continue to bring novel cancer treatments and hope to patients at Levine Children’s.
(L-R): Gary Sobba, Tournament Director; Javier Oesterheld, MD; Drew Herman, MD; and Kendall Alley, Champions for Education Board of Directors
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Customized Care for
CAMERON 10
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CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO ATRIUM HEALTH LEVINE CHILDREN’S Continued philanthropic support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is ensuring more patients like Cameron have access to quality cystic fibrosis care. A recent grant award of $128,200 will directly support Atrium Health’s accredited Cystic Fibrosis Center at Levine Children’s Hospital to provide t two years old, Cameron is an active
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medical care for children
boy who loves to run, swim, and play
and adolescents.
other toddler. He just happens to be living with
“Since our initial
cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes
accreditation, our center
breathing problems and, for some,
continues to grow based
gastrointestinal symptoms.
on the excellent
outside. In many ways he’s just like any
outcomes in clinical
Dr. Ashley Chadha
Cameron was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a
care,” shared Dr. Ashley
newborn and has received care for the condition
Chadha, specialty medical director, pediatric
at Levine Children’s ever since. Ranked by U.S.
pulmonary and sleep medicine at Levine
News & World Report as one of the nation’s
Children’s. “We now are approaching 150
“Best Children’s Hospitals” for pediatric
pediatric patients and over 100 adult
pulmonology, Levine Children’s provides the
patients who have been under our care. As
highest quality medical care that Cameron and
we continue to grow, we will expand our
other children living with cystic fibrosis need.
offerings to include mental health services as well as increasing research opportunities.”
While the disease is a large part of Cameron’s life, this will hopefully lessen as he gets older. Not only will Cameron’s airways grow, requiring fewer treatments, but a breakthrough medication is being studied that has the potential to improve the quality of life for most cystic fibrosis patients. At Levine Children’s accredited Cystic Fibrosis Center, he and other patients have access to first-of-their-kind treatments as soon as they become available. In the meantime, Cameron is living his best life like any carefree two-year-old – one who can
“
SINCE OUR INITIAL ACCREDITATION, OUR CENTER CONTINUES TO GROW BASED ON THE EXCELLENT OUTCOMES IN CLINICAL CARE.
”
- DR. ASHLEY CHADHA SPECIALTY MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PEDIATRIC PULMONARY AND SLEEP MEDICINE LEVINE CHILDREN’S
run, swim, and play; and one whose health challenges are part of his childhood, but don't define it.
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The Duke Endowment Awards Major Grant TO EXPAND HOSPITAL AT HOME Hospital at Home Receives Big Boost Atrium Health Foundation has been awarded a $749,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to evaluate best practices for expanding the Atrium Health Hospital at Home program. The gift represents the first major grant for a joint project with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and showcases Atrium Health in its role as a Learning Health System. The Hospital at Home program provides hospitallevel care to patients from the safety and comfort of their homes through virtual, paramedicine, and telemedicine resources that reduce unnecessary inpatient admissions. With grant support from The Duke Endowment, the program will be among the first in the nation to provide a roadmap for advancing Hospital at Home as a sustainable, valuefocused standard of care for patient services.
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Thanks a Million, EASTWOOD HOMES!
Every home you sell helps a child get well and lays a foundation for Levine Children's patients to live their healthiest lives. On behalf of Levine Children's patients and their families, we are truly grateful for the $1 million, and counting, Eastwood Homes has donated during our 13-year partnership. Thank you for demonstrating time and time again that home is where the heart is.
Corning Foundation Boosts Telemedicine A recent $10,000 grant from Corning Incorporated Foundation will support the Atrium Health Community Telemedicine Clinic at Northside Baptist Church, improving access to care for residents surrounding the I-85/Sugar Creek intersection in Charlotte. The pilot program, which began in August, links Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients with primary care, behavioral health support, and health coaching.
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MOBILE PRIMARY CARE
ON THE ROAD TO BETTER HEALTH THE TEPPER FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PRIMARY CARE Atrium Health’s social impact strategy recently received a big boost from a major player in the athletic and philanthropic arenas. Over the next three years, a commitment of $1.2 million made by The Tepper Foundation will underwrite staffing and infrastructure to launch a mobile primary care program and address barriers to care in underprivileged communities. The Tepper Foundation’s gift arose in part from Atrium Health’s demonstrable success in launching the enterprise’s COVID-19 mobile testing and vaccination programs, which reached thousands of underserved patients who previously had limited access to care. Considering social and environmental factors that impact health outcomes, The Tepper Foundation’s gift will also advance Atrium Health’s efforts to address the underlying needs of patients living in healthcare deserts. With this support, Atrium Health will extend social service resources to homes and communities where patients reside via community health workers, referral navigators, and the Atrium Health Community Resource Hub. The Tepper Foundation – established by David A. Tepper, renowned investor and owner of the Carolina Panthers – continues to play an essential role in transforming healthcare delivery at Atrium Health. As one of the leading benefactors of the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund during the roll-out of COVID-19 relief efforts, The Tepper Foundation continues to be a champion for many of our community’s greatest needs. “During these unprecedented times, it’s uplifting to have generous donors like David Tepper step forward to ensure that our community has the very best healthcare services possible,” said Armando Chardiet, president of Atrium Health Foundation.
“
WHAT BEGAN AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ATRIUM HEALTH TO DELIVER COVID-19 RELIEF TO UNDERSERVED PATIENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR TRANSFORMATIVE MOBILE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY. THE TEPPER FOUNDATION IS HONORED TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN EXPANDING CRITICALLY-NEEDED ACCESS TO CARE, STARTING WITH PRIMARY CARE FOR PATIENTS FROM ALL OF WALKS OF LIFE. - DAVID TEPPER FOUNDER OF THE TEPPER FOUNDATION BENEFACTOR
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SPRINGSTEEN FOUNDATION GRANT TO IMPACT PATIENTS’ SOCIAL NEEDS For years, Atrium Health’s commitment to social impact has been steadfast, even as new needs have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic. And now, philanthropic support from the Springsteen Foundation is boosting numerous social welfare efforts being championed by Atrium Health in Charlotte’s West Boulevard corridor. With a $25,000 grant from the donor advised fund, which was established by Derick Springsteen Close, Atrium Health can now better serve patients and their families in fragile communities in the Greater Charlotte region. A pillar of Atrium Health’s social impact strategy is to alleviate social needs that are key determinants of health for vulnerable patients. With funding from the Springsteen Foundation, Atrium Health will hire a geographically-focused Community Health Worker to partner with the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition and leverage community-based resources to alleviate patients' most acute social needs. This vital partnership will allow Atrium Health to develop a sustainable healthcare model to improve health equity among residents of the West Boulevard corridor and beyond.
SURGERY TEAM RECEIVES GRANT FOR 3D PRINTING Atrium Health is leading a new collaboration with the Department of Engineering at the University of North Carolina and the Department of Innovation at Atrium Health to create three-dimensional liver replicas for robotic surgical planning and training. This application of 3D printing techniques within the surgical field is made possible with a $50,000 grant from the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. As one of the most experienced hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) teams in the Southeast, Atrium Health’s HPB surgeons are nationally regarded and sought out to teach HPB procedures at other health systems. Led by professors of surgery Dionisios Vrochides, MD, and John Martinie, MD, the goals of this collaboration are to improve the technical performance of robot-assisted liver surgery, as well as the effectiveness of surgical training, using models with lifelike anatomical detail and texture. By combining technology with human aspects of health care and education, the study is a testament to Atrium Health’s commitment to innovation and translational research.
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1. John B. Martinie, MD, Professor of Surgery, Division of HPB Surgery - Carolinas Medical Center 2. Dionisios Vrochides, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery - Atrium Health, Carolinas Medical Center; Assistant Program Director - Robotic HPB Surgery Fellowship Atrium Health; Professor of Surgery - Atrium Health, Carolinas Medical Center
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Puppy Love: PETSMART CHARITIES’ FURRY FRIENDS BRING HOPE TO YOUNG PATIENTS As the most comprehensive children’s hospital between Atlanta and Washington D.C., Atrium Health Levine Children’s takes pride in delivering exceptional family-centered and patient-focused care. With support from PetSmart Charities, the hospital’s Inpatient Therapy division and Volunteer Services have collaborated to pilot a patient program that will bring patients a new form of comfort and therapeutic support. Thanks to a PetSmart Charities grant award for $80,000, Atrium Health Levine Children's is launching Happy 2 Heal, a new Animal Assisted Therapy and Visitation Program for pediatric patients and their family members. Accompanied by a licensed physical therapist, Happy 2 Heal service dogs and their handlers will provide therapeutic interventions across all areas of inpatient care. The pilot program will help to identify the areas of greatest benefit to patients’ mental, emotional, and psycho-social wellbeing, such as pain management,
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AL
PP
AL
Y 2 HE PP
HA
To support Happy 2 Heal contact Tara Jensen, MS, OTR/L, Clinical Coordinator of Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation at Levine Children's Hospital, at Tara.Jensen@atriumhealth.org.
HA
anxiety reduction, and physical rehabilitation.
Y 2 HE
GIFT GIVES PATIENTS AT LEVINE CANCER INSTITUTE A “LASTING BREATH” A recent $100,000 gift from Dr. Jeffrey C. Blum will establish The Lasting Breath Fund at Atrium Health Foundation. Dedicated to the advancement of lung cancer research and patient support programs at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, the Fund is a moving tribute to Dr. Blum’s late wife, Linda, who passed away from complications related to the disease in 2019. A beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother, Linda was a joy and inspiration to everyone she met, including her oncologist, Dr. Kathryn Mileham. Despite a serious prognosis, she led each day with remarkable courage and empathy toward others. During treatment, Linda often arrived at her medical appointments in costumes to brighten the days of patients and staff. It was a positivity that she carried every day throughout her four-and-a-half-year battle with Stage IV lung cancer. Grateful for the exceptional care his wife received, Dr. Blum looks forward to supporting research conducted by Dr. Mileham in hopes of one day finding a cure for the disease. The Fund will also provide financial support for other female lung patients and families at Levine Cancer Institute who require assistance for medical services, necessary supplies, and support programs.
“I am grateful to Dr. Blum for establishing the Lasting Breath Fund in honor of Linda, an inspiring woman enthusiastic for life. Together, the Blums and I celebrated each advancement specific to lung cancer; and yet, we recognized the need for more substantial contributions to support lung cancer research initiatives within our own system. This fund will not only provide Linda, but also all of those with lung cancer, an ongoing tribute – a lasting breath – through future endeavors in lung cancer research at Levine Cancer Institute.” - KATHRYN FINCH MILEHAM, MD, FACP CHIEF, SECTION OF THORACIC MEDICAL ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ATRIUM HEALTH LEVINE CANCER INSTITUTE
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3
1. Linda with Dr. Mileham during her treatment. Her persistent smile and humor never faltered. 2. Linda touched the lives of all who knew her, especially her family. This gift is a heartfelt tribute from her husband (R). 3. Linda's jester hat is now a gift that Dr. Mileham holds close in memory of her patient and dear friend.
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Upward
ACE Is The Place for Miracles When visiting Ace Hardware stores in August, customers may have noticed eyecatching blue bucket displays. Every year these “Miracle Buckets” are sold at participating locations across the country in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Through this year’s Ace Bucket Days campaign at Blackhawk Hardware, as well as the Ace Blue Bucket Challenge issued by Atrium Health Foundation, customers and supporters helped raise over $3,000 for Levine Children’s Hospital, proving the power of the small, but mighty, blue Miracle Buckets.
Ace Hardware Bucket Days 2021
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South Lake Pediatrics
2
1. Ace Hardware has been a proud partner of Children's Miracle Network since 1991. 2. From August 6-13, supporters were invited to vote for their favorite Ace Blue Bucket design with a donation to Levine Children’s Hospital. South Lake Pediatrics had the winning design, titled “The Fishing Hole.”
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Walmart and Sam’s Club Change Kids’ Health Every child deserves the chance to live better. It’s a belief that Walmart and Sam’s Club have shared for 34 years as proud partners of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. As part of the retailers’ commitment to kids’ health, store associates are tasked with becoming miracle makers for millions of patients each year by collecting donations in stores and online. During this year’s fundraising campaign, Charlotte-area stores rallied together to “Change Kids’ Health and Change the Future,” raising over $350,000 to benefit our local Children’s Miracle Network member-hospital, Levine Children's. Photo courtesy of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Topgolf Tees Up a Summer of Support for Levine Children’s It was a busy summer for Topgolf as the company opened its second Charlotte location and became one of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ newest partners. To help celebrate, both Charlotte and University City golfing locations invited customers to donate to Levine Children’s Hospital all summer long. Locally, Levine Children’s has been fortunate to partner with Topgolf through the “Play Yellow” campaign – an initiative launched by the PGA Tour with a goal of raising $100 million for CMN Hospitals nationwide.
RE/MAX Believes Home is Where the Heart Is For nearly 20 years, RE/MAX has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, raising over $170 million for children’s hospitals nationwide. The real estate company’s most notable fundraising initiative is its Miracle Home program, through which participating RE/MAX agents donate to CMN Hospitals with every residential home sale. During RE/MAX’s 10th Annual Month of Miracles campaign, two Charlotte-area offices went above and beyond to raise awareness and funds for Levine Children’s, our local Children’s Miracle Network member-hospital. Thanks to agents at RE/MAX Southern Lifestyle and RE/MAX Executive, patients treated at Levine Children’s Hospital receive the best care available to help them live healthy, vibrant lives.
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COMMUNITY SETS THE PACE IN BUILDING HOPE FOR LEVINE CHILDREN’S Under the banner “Set the Pace, Choose the Place,” hundreds of community members completed personal 5K races and other activities this October to raise funds and build hope for patients of Levine Children’s Hospital. The week-long Hopebuilders 5K gave Levine Children’s supporters the opportunity to run, walk, and enjoy festive fall activities, including costume and pumpkin decoration contests, with a single goal in mind – building hope for sick and injured children. Through donors’ fundraising efforts and the support of event sponsors, Barings, Collins Aerospace, and SteelFab, over $65,000 was raised to benefit the areas of greatest need at Levine Children’s.
Grateful parents Thad and Megan Walton (L) honored their son Jason's (R) ongoing Levine Children's journey by forming the "J Walkers" team for the Hopebuilders 5K.
DONORS “TUNE UP” AND TUNE-IN TO SUPPORT KIDNEY KRUSADERS Virtual bid paddles were raised with great enthusiasm during the online auction for Tune Up Your Kidney’s this September. The signature fundraising event benefiting Levine Children’s Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence included a four-day virtual auction that raised more than $50,000. Supporters were inspired by a series of patient videos that showcased how "Kidney Krusaders" are thriving with the help of donors. With proceeds from Tune Up Your Kidneys, the Center has recruited a new psychologist to support the unique mental health needs of children living with chronic kidney disease amidst the pandemic. Special thanks go to event sponsors National Bank, Polymers Southeast, and the grandparents of Levine Children’s kidney patient, Ben Aguallo.
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A Legacy of
Love
This holiday season, give the gift of love. Purchase a “Baby J” ornament, and proceeds will support the pediatric oncology program at Levine Children's. Established by Charlotteans Mark and Beverly Ladley to honor their son's legacy, the Baby J Ladley Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund helps to bring groundbreaking clinical trials to the region, as well as medical resources that serve patients' neurological and psychological needs during cancer treatment. Bring hope and healing to Levine Children's patients with your purchase of an elegant, heart-shaped ornament, designed by the jeweler, Love Thy Rival.
atriumhealthfoundation.org/babyj
Thank you, Scope Anesthesia, for bringing hope to all women. With Sincerity, we're grateful to Collaborate with your team to bring comprehensive women's health services to patients from all walks of life. This Opportunity to advance Women's Health is made possible through Scope Anesthesia teammates – our generous benefactors – who have a Passion for Excellence in healthcare and a commitment to health equity.
“On behalf of our patients, our heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Tom Wherry and Scope Anesthesia for generous contributions of over $42,900 to benefit the Women's Health Advancement Fund. Honoring the life and career of Dr. Ed Stubbs, a long-standing and highly regarded Eastover-University Physician, these gifts will help bring best-in-class women's health services to our most vulnerable communities.” – SUZANNA J. FOX, MD, ENTERPRISE DEPUTY CHIEF PHYSICIAN EXECUTIVE & SENIOR MEDICAL DIRECTOR, WOMEN'S SERVICE LINE A T R I U M H E A LT H F O U N D A T I O N
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CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS HIT A HOME RUN FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS For over 20 years, the Charlotte Knights have partnered with Atrium Health Foundation to support patient care initiatives Photo by Laura Wolff Photography
across Atrium Health. The team’s most recent home run for pediatric patients took place at the inaugural Levine Children’s game. Players sported custom jerseys designed by a special Levine Children’s patient. Thanks to fans who bid and donated throughout the evening, Atrium Health Foundation accepted a check for over $12,000. Funds will support the Arts For Life program at Levine Children’s Hospital, bringing meaningful art opportunities to children and teens.
Will Carter (L) and Kyle Kubat (R) sported the custom jerseys which were later sold at auction.
SAVE YOUR SKIN CELEBRATES 16 YEARS OF ADVANCING MELANOMA TREATMENT AND RESEARCH Over the past 16 years, the Save Your Skin Melanoma Golf Classic has been a driving force behind skin cancer research and novel treatment advancements at Levine Cancer Institute. This fall, the traditional tournament was replaced with an online fundraising campaign, which garnered significant support for the Carolinas Melanoma & Immunotherapy Fund while raising awareness for melanoma education and community outreach efforts. The Save Your Skin Melanoma Golf Classic was established with key support from Martin J. Kreshon, Sr., MD, a prominent local physician who passed away earlier this year. The event honors the life of his late wife, Jerri, who lost her battle with melanoma in 2005. Having raised nearly $1 million since its inception, Save Your Skin continues to bolster LCI's efforts to advance early detection, provide novel treatments and therapies, and improve survival rates among patients treated for melanoma.
Special thanks to To honor the life of Dr. Kreshon, his family (pictured) recently
Save Your Skin Sponsors
contributed $10,000
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to the Carolinas
Presenting Sponsor – Gee Family
Melanoma &
Foundation; SPF 40 Sponsors – Medcost
Immunotherapy Fund.
and Sherloq Solutions; Hole-in-One
Thanks to their
Sponsors – Dimensional and the Michael
generous gift,
W. Haley Foundation; SPF 25 Sponsors –
and support from
AccessOne, Landscape Atlantic Supplies,
corporate sponsors
Brasfield & Gorrie, the Carolinas Panthers,
and donors, this year's
Stantec, and The Trivisonno Family
Save Your Skin
Foundation; and SPF 15 Sponsors –
campaign raised
JE Dunn Construction, Robins & Morton,
over $78,000.
and BR+A Consulting Engineers.
Cancer Survivor Aims to Transform Lives THROUGH GIFT OF MUSIC
O
ne grateful patient experienced a lightbulb moment earlier this year as he received treatment for a serious form of cancer at Levine Cancer Institute (LCI). Day after day, Kenny Kahn witnessed fellow patients experience a wave of emotions as they awaited their own cancer treatments. But for Kenny, he found solace and strength during this time with two earbuds and the press of a button on his smartphone. Kenny’s cancer journey was transformed through playlists, voice recordings, songs, and music videos sent or prepared by his friends and family to ease the waiting period before and after his oncology treatments. Kenny credits his medical team, family, friends – and especially music – for helping him cope with the most challenging time in his life.
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To pay it forward, Kenny and his college-aged daughter Rachel, established the MusicLand Gift Foundation, which aims to transform all cancer patients’ journeys at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s through the power of music. The gift of Bose headphones and iPads will ensure that infusion patients undergoing treatment may access uplifting music and messages through a web-based music application and music playlists. In addition, a recent $25,000 gift from the Foundation will support LCI's integrative oncology program.
Kenny with one of his beloved nurse caregivers at LCI.
Kenny and supporters of the MusicLand Gift Foundation eagerly await special holiday deliveries at Atrium Health that will ensure the comforts of music – and facilitate the connection to loved ones. To learn more about the gift of music, visit: MusicLandGiftFoundation.org.
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While in treatment, Kenny (R) experienced a touching realization about the emotional connectivity of music when he and his daughter (L) exchanged song lists while she was away at school.
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UNION COUNTY RESIDENTS: TICKLED PINK FOR LIFE-SAVING BREAST HEALTH SCREENINGS This October, a beloved community outreach initiative led by Levine Cancer Institute and Atrium Health Union reached a milestone: Tickled Pink surpassed 13 years of providing essential breast health screenings and education to women who reside in Union County. Utilizing a mobile breast center, Tickled Pink brings breast cancer screening, breast health education, and medical expertise to some of the region’s most vulnerable patients, at no cost to program participants. The support of Tickled Pink donors ensures that our neighbors who are underinsured and uninsured benefit from early detection and potentially life-saving treatment. Philanthropic support also allows Tickled Pink to address the special needs of medically fragile patients, such as transportation to medical appointments and paying for ancillary living expenses that could otherwise limit patients’ access to timely care. Since its inception, Tickled Pink has generated more than $425,000 in philanthropic support, allowing the program to provide over 1,000 free mammograms and detect 25 incidences of breast cancer among screened participants.
“I would tell every woman to get a mammogram...it can save a life. I really appreciate this program because it helped me obtain this mammogram for free. I had no means to pay for a mammogram since I have no insurance. I am forever grateful that I was able to be a part of [Tickled Pink].” Eulalia Gonzalez, Tickled Pink participant
GIVE
Her THE GIFT OF HOPE
Make a gift that will bring health, hope, and healing to patients fighting breast or gynecologic cancer. You may also designate your gift in honor or in memory of a loved one or care provider. Simply choose from among several fund designations at Levine Cancer Institute.
Scan the code or go to: atriumhealthfoundation.org/womenscancer/ and give the Gift of Hope today.
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BREAST CANCER ADVOCATES FIGHT WITH A PINT On the eve of Breast Cancer Awareness month, hundreds of breast cancer advocates and survivors joined Charlotte Radiology and NoDa Brewing Company in “fighting with a pint” to support Levine Cancer Institute: Project PINK. The virtual event and online auction raised more than $60,000 to help fund vital breast cancer screening and diagnostic procedures for uninsured women at risk for breast cancer. Supporters tuned into the broadcast from home while enjoying dinner provided by Table & Twine paired with NoDa Brewing’s ‘Gose PINK or Go Home’ signature pink brew.
SWIM ACROSS AMERICA MAKES WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER On Sunday, October 3, Swim Across America-Charlotte hosted its annual charity swim event benefiting cancer research at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s. Through its in-person open water swim at Camp Thunderbird and a new virtual option, SAA My Way, Swim Across America raised $215,000 in support of its mission to “Make Waves to Fight Cancer.” For the past five years, Levine Cancer Institute has supported the event by participating and raising funds as a team. This year, team captain Dr. Lawrence Druhan – along with Dr. Michael Grunwald and Dr. Colin Anderson – shared special messages to emphasize the importance of the event. “Through ongoing support from Swim Across America, we’re conducting one of the most comprehensive sequencing studies ever performed to understand the genetics of synovial sarcoma, which is a rare tumor that affects both children and adults,” shared Dr. Colin Anderson. “This study is going to allow us to identify new biomarkers to better understand the disease and uncover new treatment options for our patients in the future.”
With support from numerous fundraising teams, including Atrium Health teammates, Swim Across America-Charlotte raised $215,000 to benefit research conducted at Levine Cancer Institute.
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Martha
WHITECOTTON Trusted Leader Leaves a Legacy of Compassion
A
fter 33 years with Atrium Health, Martha Whitecotton, MSN, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health, recently announced her retirement effective at the end of the year. Martha, who joined Atrium Health in 1988 and served for 24 years at
the executive level, has made an extraordinary impact on Atrium Health through her dedication, intelligence, and compassion. Under her leadership, Atrium Health has received national recognition for behavioral health. Chief among her many contributions to the field has been her leadership in launching a Virtual Behavioral Health Integration Program that connects behavioral health delivery across the Atrium Health enterprise. Revered by her peers, Martha received numerous accolades during her career with Atrium Health, including the National Council for Behavioral Health Visionary Leadership award, Modern Healthcare’s Class of Top 25 Innovators for 2020, and in multiple journal articles and national presentations.
Martha’s Milestones Martha served for nine years as Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive for Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where she was responsible for Surgical Services, Anesthesia, Respiratory Care, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Endoscopy, and Transplant. She also opened Levine Children’s Hospital and served as the executive for its first seven years. During her tenure, Levine Children’s Hospital received five U.S. News & World Report rankings and she was instrumental in developing the Levine Children’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Passionate about the growth and development of those around her, Martha was one of the original mentors for the Atrium Health Mentoring Program for Women on the Road to Success (MPWRS), an initiative of the Women’s Executive Leadership Group. She has continued to serve as a mentor for the duration of the program, served on numerous boards, and championed many worthy causes in her community.
“
ATRIUM HEALTH HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A PLATFORM TO EXPERIENCE AN EXCITING, CHALLENGING AND INCREDIBLE CAREER IN HEALTHCARE. I HAVE BEEN DOWN ROADS I NEVER BELIEVED I WOULD GO DOWN, INVOLVED IN PROGRAMS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE INVOLVED IN, AND EXPOSED TO EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE ENRICHED MY LIFE, AS WELL AS MY CAREER. FOR THIS I AM GRATEFUL.
”
– MARTHA WHITECOTTON, MSN, FACHE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
To honor Martha's legacy of leadership at Atrium Health, make an honorary gift to the Behavioral Health Advancement Fund using this code.
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Introducing
OUR TEAMMATES
Ryan Marshall Assistant Vice President With the launch of the Giving Hope comprehensive fundraising campaign in May, Atrium Health Foundation’s newest teammate and Assistant Vice President, Ryan Marshall, has hit the ground running. Ryan and his family relocated from Columbus, Ohio, to Charlotte in the summer of 2021, as he embarked upon a new and vital role at the Foundation – guiding his fellow teammates throughout the campaign. With over 15 years of experience in philanthropy, Ryan brings his unique expertise in healthcare development to the local philanthropic landscape. Along with his wife Tori, and their children, Ryan looks forward to supporting local Habitat for Humanity programs and local food kitchens. Since bonding over a shared love for careers in philanthropy, Ryan and Tori are thrilled to become part of the Atrium Health Foundation family. “We both have a love for this career because of our core family values: Be a good person, do the right thing, and leave everything better than you found it,” Ryan remarks.
Rachel Ellis Director, Foundation Relations, Grants and Contracts
Photo by Katie Burns
Atrium Health Foundation and our partners have had the privilege of working alongside Rachel Ellis, director of foundation relations, grants and contracts, since 2015. The native Texan and Baylor University alumna began her career with the Foundation by leading fund development for Atrium Health Behavioral Health and the Neurosciences Institute. Today, Rachel works closely with many local, regional, and national foundation partners such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Cancer Society, and The Duke Endowment. During her tenure, Rachel has been instrumental in securing more than $6.5 million in grant funding from The Duke Endowment, which continues to help advance numerous healthcare innovations and social impact programs throughout Atrium Health’s regional footprint. In recent years, Rachel has led the Foundation in securing several transformative gifts and grants, including: $7.5 million from The George Shinn Foundation to establish The George Shinn Comprehensive Stroke Center and Endowed Chair; $1.2 million from The Tepper Foundation to support a new mobile primary care initiative; and more than $1.8 million in grants from The Duke Endowment to advance Atrium Health’s virtual care programs and initiatives. Charlotteanns since 2010, Rachel and her husband, Jonathan, relish raising their three-month-old daughter and two-year-old son, and spend their free time enjoying the arts and many adventures in the great outdoors. To learn more about these teammates, visit AtriumHealthFoundation.org/about-us/leadership.
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Atrium Health Teammates Give from the Heart
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or over a year, Atrium Health teammates have selflessly devoted themselves to the health of their patients and safety of the communities they serve. Despite the
continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, teammates gave whole-heartedly to the annual Atrium Health Gives employee giving campaign to support organizations and programs that are making an incredible impact in our community. This year, teammates donated more than $1 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for the benefit of our own member hospital, Atrium Health Levine Children’s. Additionally, teammates raised $540,000 to benefit areas of greatest need across Atrium Health, including behavioral health, adult and pediatric cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, women’s health, medical education, and community health.
THANK YOU, TEAMMATES! 28
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IN MEMORIAM
ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE November 15, 1925 – August 20, 2021 A notable environmentalist, philanthropist, and adventurer, Anne Springs Close dedicated her life to giving back to the community through education and land preservation. Called “Baggs” by her family and friends, Ms. Close was admired for her commitment to nature as founder and creator of the Anne Springs Close Greenway, the 2,100-acre nature conservancy in Fort Mill, SC. Over the course of her colorful life, Ms. Close established meaningful education programs, traveled to more than 60 countries, and won national awards for her extraordinary contributions to protect natural resources and promote public recreation. Even her diagnosis of macular degeneration and blindness proved to be no barrier for her courageous spirit, evident from her late-life mountaineering quests. She enjoyed cycling and horse pack trips into her nineties, and her deep faith and witty sense of humor never wavered. Atrium Health Foundation shares in the loss of one of Carolina’s most beloved humanitarians, Anne Springs Close, and extends our warmth and gratitude to the Springs Close family for their efforts to support healthcare and well-being for all. Coming from a long generation of philanthropists, the family has been enhancing the quality of life for residents of the Carolinas for well over a century. Anne Springs Close is remembered fondly as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother. Her loss will be felt for years to come, but her legacy lives on.
Would you like to honor
Someone Special? A donation to Atrium Health Foundation is a heartfelt way to celebrate a milestone or to memorialize those who have touched your life. When you give in honor or memory of someone special, you help Atrium Health Foundation improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing for all. If you would like to honor someone special in this way visit:
AtriumHealthfoundation.org/tribute
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DONORS HIT THE GREENS FOR HOSPICE CARE AT ATRIUM HEALTH Thanks to strong local sponsors and golfers, Hospice of Anson County, Hospice of Union County, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County benefitted from two annual golf tournaments. These vital patient and family support organizations have served residents of Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties for over 30 years. The 25th Annual Hospice of Union County Golf Tournament presented by Greater Charlotte Automotive Dealers, Inc. and Griffin Motor Company raised over $127,000. To date, the tournament has raised $2.3 million. The 11th Annual Golf for Hospice Tournament, presented by Ike’s Construction, Inc. raised nearly $74,000 to benefit Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County programs. Since 2010, the tournament has raised more than $423,000. Proceeds from the annual golfing events ensure that compassionate care is provided to those nearing the end of life, and that patients feel as comfortable as possible – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
GRATEFUL FAMILIES FIND HEALING IN HOSPICE Grateful for the care their loved one, Dorothy, received at Hospice of Union County, local resident Scott Richardson and his family recently donated $20,000 to the agency. Similarly, Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County benefited from a sponsorship of the 2021 golf tournament from Patricia Scott, whose husband received care from the agency in his final days.
“
HOSPICE CARE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MY HUSBAND TO SPEND HIS LAST DAYS AT HOME. FOR THAT, I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL. OUR TIME WITH HOSPICE WAS SHORT, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT HOSPICE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY HUSBAND’S LAST HOURS AND MADE IT EASIER FOR ME TO DEAL WITH MY LOSS. COMPASSIONATE, END-OF-LIFE CARE IS A GIFT.
”
– PATRICIA SCOTT
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GOLFING FOR GOOD: THE ED STUBBS MEMORIAL GOLF INVITATIONAL Honoring the memory of Dr. George “Ed” Stubbs, III, an accomplished OB/GYN physician beloved by his patients and community, the annual Ed Stubbs Memorial Golf Invitational provides philanthropic support to advance the work of Atrium Health University City’s Community Outreach program in partnership with the Lake Norman Community Health Clinic. The charity golf event raised over $105,000 through two golf outings this year. Proceeds from the golf invitational help ensure that medically fragile patients have access to affordable and comprehensive medical care, including women’s health services – a vision shared by Atrium Health and the late Dr. Stubbs. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor – US Acute Care Solutions; Gold Sponsors – Action Plus Ideas and Adams Electric; and Silver Sponsors – Southeast Radiation Oncology Group (SERO), Carolinas Continue Care, Paragon Revenue Group, Dr. Grant Campbell/The Center for Women's Aesthetics, Brasfield & Gorrie, and BR+A Consulting Engineers. See more at AtriumHealthFoundation.org/EdStubbsMemorialGolf.
“LAKE NORMAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC IS A FREE MEDICAL CLINIC SERVING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT LIVE AT OR BELOW 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SERVING THE NEEDS OF WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD AND HONORED TO PARTNER WITH ATRIUM HEALTH UNIVERSITY CITY AND ORGANIZERS OF THE ED STUBBS MEMORIAL GOLF INVITATIONAL TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL AND COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED.” – APRIL COOK CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LAKE NORMAN COMMUNITY CLINIC
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GIFT PLANNING
Season of Giving In this season of giving we are taking time to reflect on the health, hope, and healing provided to all patients and communities served by Atrium Health with the support of our donors. With immense gratitude for your past support, we ask that you keep Atrium Health Foundation in mind as the year comes to a close. Whether you are giving today or planning to leave a legacy with your future investment in Atrium Health Foundation, we want to share a few ways you can benefit from charitable giving to our organization this year, including extended and updated benefits associated with the 2020 CARES Act.
DONOR ADVISED FUND – REMINDER Year-end is a great time to make distributions from your account in support of Atrium Health.
CASH GIFTS – EXTENDED Individuals can continue to deduct $300 ($600 for married couples filing jointly) in charitable gifts from gross income. However, this above-the-line deduction applies only to cash donations to public charities, like Atrium Health Foundation.
Atrium Health supporters can deduct cash gifts up to 100% of their adjusted gross income in 2021.
IRA – RMD
GIFTS FROM IRA – UPDATED If over 72, you must take your required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2021 (this was waived in 2020). Supporters over the age of 70 ½ can still make qualified charitable distributions to Atrium Health Foundation; this satisfies RMD and is a cost-effective way to give.
Corporations can continue to deduct outright charitable gifts up to 25% of income rather than the previous 10% limit.
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25% INCOME
CORPORATE GIFTS – EXTENDED
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100% AGI
100% CHARITABLE DEDUCTION – EXTENDED
STOCK AND OTHER NON-CASH ASSETS Giving appreciated stock, real estate, or other non-cash assets remains the most cost-effective giving option. You will receive a fair market value deduction at the time of your gift and avoid capital gains on the sale of appreciated assets.
Leave a Lasting Legacy Leaving a planned gift does not cost you anything today. Your gift is free of federal and estate tax, you can change your mind, and you can still benefit your heirs with specific gifts. Leave a lasting legacy that helps transform healthcare for your family – and for generations to come. Your gifts, great and small, will bring hope this season to some of our greatest areas of need: HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
OUTSTANDING EDUCATION
PREEMINENT RESEARCH
EXEMPLARY FACILITIES
For more information, visit AHFLegacy.org or contact Sara E. Piner, CAP® Director of Gift Planning at 704-355-0844 or Sara.Piner@atriumhealth.org.
Information provided is general in nature. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice. Atrium Health Foundation does not provide legal or tax advice. A T R I U M H E A LT H F O U N D A T I O N
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GIFT PLANNING Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Foundation ADVANCES HEALTHCARE EDUCATION WITH TRANSFORMATIONAL $1 MILLION GIFT
T
hrough a recent $1 million commitment made by the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Foundation, Atrium Health will continue to expand educational opportunities for healthcare students and professionals across the region. Benefiting the Wayland H. Cato Jr. Nursing and Allied Health Endowed Scholarship Fund, this
transformative gift will provide scholarship assistance to students at Carolinas College of Health Sciences and advanced training for allied health professionals at Atrium Health. “Wayland Cato, Jr. and his family have been generous supporters of our students over the years,” said Hampton Hopkins, EdD, president of Carolinas College of Health Sciences. “This most recent commitment helps to ensure that bright minds, no matter their financial circumstances, will have access to a comprehensive nursing or allied health education.” As the needs of our healthcare community expand, the demand for qualified nurses and allied health professionals continues to grow at a rapid rate. Support from the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Foundation is helping to train the next healthcare generation. Since 2006, the Endowed Fund has provided significant scholarship support for students of Carolinas College of Health Sciences, many of whom have earned advanced degrees and become leaders and innovators in healthcare. Wayland Cato, Jr. is the former president and CEO of CATO Corporation – an American retailer of women's fashions and accessories headquartered in Charlotte. After serving in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II, he founded the company with his father and brother. The company, which opened its first two stores in South Carolina in 1946, has grown to over 1,300 stores nationwide. Throughout his lifetime, Cato has shared his success with many institutions and organizations across North and South Carolina, giving primarily to higher education.
“
Education has always been very important to me and my family. With this bequest, we look forward to providing all those who are determined to pursue and advance their healthcare careers with the opportunity to do so. - WAYLAND CATO, JR.
”
For more information contact Sara E. Piner, CAP®, Director of Gift Planning: Sara.Piner@atriumhealth.org
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W
e are pleased to present the Evergreen Society, whose members reflect our vision for legacy giving and represent our organization's values and mission. The resilient sentinels of the forest, evergreens represent hope for the sun’s return. Like the evergreen, our donor and legacy society members are ensuring a brighter future by supporting the Atrium Health programs, services and facilities they care about most. Planned giving is an important form of philanthropy at Atrium Health Foundation. Our Evergreen Society recognizes supporters who have indicated their intention of providing a legacy gift to benefit one of the world class programs at Atrium Health. Join these generous donors today, who are ensuring the progress and growth of Atrium Health’s world-class programs, services and facilities. If Atrium Health is part of your estate plan, please let us know, so we can honor you as well!
Membership Anonymous (3) Betty and Don Anderson Christopher Baldwin Sarah and Thomas Belk, Jr. Jim and Dorothy Berry Elinor Caddell Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Tansukh, Sarla and Rajesh Ganatra Mark Griffith
T. Hampton Hopkins, EdD Deborah Hopper Peggy and James Hynes Kathy & Charlie Izard Scott Kerr Dr. Stephen L. Kramer & Family Jane and Hugh McColl, Jr. Joe Miller Dorothy & Walter Moser
Donna and Wallace Nunley, Jr., MD Jacqueline and Louis Pfeiffer Carole Ann Simpson Lori Levine Sklut Susan and Jack Stricker Victoria Sutton Nicholas Trivisonno Donaldson Williams
In Memoriam Wylie Arnold, Jr. Lucille and Harry Barrett, Jr. Michael Black, Jr. Anita Blumenthal Addison G. Brenizer, MD Willard Brown Joseph Bruno Ethel Bryant Melvin Caudle Alex Copeland, Jr. John Crist, Jr. Judy and John Crosland, Jr. Joyce Eagle Richard L. Eudy Ruth Flowe Rosalie Fountain
George V. Gilbert Seddon “Rusty” Goode Laura “Johnny” Guffey Laura J. Gunby Cynthia Huntley Julia Jones Ola Kincaid Ninna Lester Elvera & Lewis E. Levine Charles Lightner Virginia McEwen Ann P. Miller Catherine B. Miller Robert Miller Irene Millroy Elizabeth and Ronald Moore
Eileen Nichols Patricia Paterson Adeline and Morton Puner Addison Reese Margaret & F.H. Sammy Ross Warner Shelly Earle Spaugh Louvene Steele Marietta Stokes Charles Stone John A. Vallomy A.B. and Harry Winkler, MD Vonee Wogens Elizabeth and Paul Younts
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID CHARLOTTE, NC PERMIT # 3156
208 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203 atriumhealthfoundation.org
Celebrating a Shining Star AMONG OUR YOUNG AMBASSADORS
A
n ambassador for both Atrium Health and the Ultimate International Miss pageant, Lily Grace Starnes is a shining example of courage and hope among her Levine Children's "family" and her peers. Since being diagnosed last year with a metastatic immature teratoma – a very rare tumor – Lily Grace has made a full recovery with the help of her medical team and the novel treatments she received at Levine Children’s. In return, Lily teamed up with Ultimate International Miss, raising over $12,000 to benefit the hospital's pediatric oncology research lab, so that more children and adolescents can benefit from groundbreaking treatments and local clinical trials. Learn more or nominate a Young Ambassador at AtriumHealthFoundation.org/YoungAmbassadors.