Meet Steve Burriss, New Interim President of Rex Healthcare
News from Rex Healthcare Foundation Spring 2015
World-Class Care in the Heart of Raleigh
Rex's Big Top Gala featured fun with the greatest of ease, a sensational silent auction and entertainment to delight the young and old.
Rex Names Steve Burriss as Interim President R
ex Healthcare announced this month that Steve Burriss, chief operating officer of Rex Healthcare, was named interim president effective immediately. This appointment follows the announcement that David Strong, president, is leaving to serve Orlando Health as its president and CEO. “We are thrilled to have someone with Steve’s ability, leadership and knowledge of Rex and our community lead our organization,” said Robert S. Thomas, chairman of the Rex Board of Trustees. “The board has great confidence in Steve and the executive team to execute Rex’s initiatives currently underway, and future strategy and plans.” Burriss, 48, has served as chief operating officer at Rex Healthcare, an affiliate of UNC Health Care, since April 2012. He oversees all operations at the 660-bed organization, at six locations in Wake County, with more than 5,600 co-workers. Prior to his role as COO, Burriss served as senior vice president of operations and ambulatory services, managing a variety of areas, including Rex Cancer Center, heart and vascular services, physician services and ambulatory services. Under Burriss’ leadership, Rex added three new
health campuses, two joint venture surgery centers and more than 150 physicians. Burriss joined Rex Healthcare in 1998 as director of human resources and was later promoted to vice president of human resources. Burriss was named a “COO to know” by Becker’s Hospital Review in 2013 and received recognition from the Triangle Business Journal as “40 Under 40.” During his tenure, Rex was highlighted as one of the Top 50 Hospitals in the U.S. by Becker’s Hospital Review. Burriss actively volunteers throughout the Triangle community. He served on the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association, the board for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the executive leadership committee for Light the Night Walk, the board of directors for the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the Healthcare Works Coalition. He currently serves as the 2015 March of Dimes’ Triangle March for Babies Chairman and on the board of directors for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and the North Carolina Symphony. Burriss earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and an MBA from Marshall University. He lives in Raleigh with his wife, Tina, and has two children in college.
A Committed Community of Supporters The Rex Society is an influential membership circle for those whose generosity of spirit reflects a unique commitment to the health and well-being of our community. Members of the society are individuals and families who share a passion for excellence in healthcare and for lifting up those in need. Through their influence and philanthropy, the Rex Society is one of the most vital sources of support for Rex. In the Fall of 2014, Society Members gathered for an evening of celebration at the Institute for Emerging Issues at the James B. Hunt Library on NC State’s Centennial Campus. Guests enjoyed touring the innovative facility, watching the “book-bot” in action and socializing with friends and colleagues.
Robert Wyker, M.D. and Ann Wyker Earl and Margie Johnson
Nancy Reifsteck and Valerie Hunsel
Mark Your Calendar Now!
Sponsorships still available. Contact April Walls, (919)618-1612 or april.walls@ unchealth.unc.edu
May 28 - 31, 2015
TPC at Wakefield Plantation, Raleigh RexHospitalOpen.com Great Golf! Great Fun! Great Cause!
Tickets starting at
10
$
Below: Mark and Sylvia Hackett and Judy and Chip Anderson
a Big Time under the Big Top Flo Winston
Our 2014 Big Top Gala proudly honored longtime friends and Rex supporters Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Winston, co-founders of the Angus Barn, Darryl’s, and Pizza Inn restaurants and Winston Hotels. The Winstons contribute their time, talent and treasure to numerous civic and education initiatives throughout the Triangle, and for an incredible 50 years, that has included serving Rex Hospital. Flo has been a long-time member and President of the Rex Guild and a past Trustee. Charlie has served as a foundation board member and trusted advisor. Both have been volunteers, philanthropists and friends in many ways. For the evening’s festivities, carnival games provided fun and friendly competition, and our biggest winner of the evening was the Patient Assistance Fund. Kicked off by a generous gift from the Winston family, the Call for Donations raised more than $50,000. The wildly successful Silent Auction added $30,000 more, bringing the final fundraising tally to $258,000. Just think of the patients who will benefit from this incredible kindness and generosity. Thank you, Flo and Charlie, for your leadership, your enthusiasm for philanthropy and the example you have set for those around you. The impact of your generosity will be felt for years and years to come.
Above: Our honorees, Charlie and Flo Winston, joined by Marion Winston and Jenny and Charles Winston
Left: Gala Co-chair Beth Alley and Jay Alley, M.D. and Jennifer and Mike Doerfler Below: David Smith, M.D. tries his hand at the Operation Game
Above: Gala Co-chair Nadine Pittman and husband Will Pittman Below: Debra and Dale Jenkins
Above: Linda and Jim Blount Below: Lisa and Bill Martin
Above: Seth Hoffman and Laura Thrower try their hand at juggling
Above: Darlene Johns and Jeanette Hyde Far left: Penny and Jeff Cobb Left: Cameron Calloway and Eve Smith
Family Resource Center
Heart Healthy Café
Center for Innovation & Learning
Family Waiting Area
World-Class Care in the Heart of Raleigh A new state-of-the art hospital is being built on the Rex Healthcare campus. Construction began on the North Carolina Heart and Vascular Hospital in the fall of 2014 and will open in early 2017. The facility will be an eight story, 114-bed tower that consolidates Rex’s heart and vascular services in one location. The North Carolina Heart and Vascular Hospital, backed by UNC Healthcare and staffed by Wake County’s leading physicians, will bring together the most advanced technologies and the most skilled and compassionate people, creating unrivaled healthcare that is on par with the preeminent programs in the country. The project is driven by Wake County’s rapid growth; by a dramatic increase in heart and vascular referrals; and by the need to coordinate heart and vascular services, currently scattered across the Rex campus, into one location. This facility will elevate the profile of Rex Healthcare and UNC Health Care as a premier provider of heart and vascular care and serve as a draw for patients from across the country in need of exceptional care from the foremost cardiovascular specialists.
North Carolina Heart and Vascular Hospital Campaign The Hospital will be funded through a combination of existing operating reserves, financing and philanthropy. The philanthropic component will be realized through a community-led naming campaign. The $10 million goal will support areas of critical need with many opportunities for named gift recognition existing in the new hospital. For further information about the hospital and opportunities for giving, please contact Kay Taylor, Major Gifts Officer, NC Heart & Vascular Hospital Capital Campaign, at (919) 784-4424 or ktaylor@capdev.com.
Rex Healthcare Milestones, Activities & Opportunities Expansions! • Rex Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists at Wakefield has opened and is accepting new patients. Led by Dr. Brett Dorfman and Dr. Esa Bloedon, the practice provides a full range of medical and surgical ear, nose and throat treatment for adult and pediatric patients. • Johnston Health hosted a Grand Opening with tours of its new facility. They officially opened their doors on Jan. 24. • Rex-UNC Cancer Care is proud to announce the opening of Rex Hematology Oncology Associates at Blue Ridge, a new clinic conveniently located across the street from Rex Hospital’s Raleigh campus.
Kudos! • Rex-UNC Cancer Care named Tom Grates the new Executive Director of the Rex Cancer Center, which provides life-saving treatment, support services and more for thousands of patients annually in Wake County and the surrounding region. Grates replaced Vickie Byler, who retired from the role after 26 years with Rex. • Beckers Hospital Review highlighted Bernadette Spong, CFO of Rex Healthcare, as one of the Top Leaders to Know. Spong has also been promoted and is taking on the new role of Senior Vice President for Finance of UNC Health Care. • For the third consecutive year Rex Healthcare has been named Best Hospital in North Carolina by Business North Carolina magazine. Rex won by achieving the highest composite score based on 18 criteria. The hospital distinguishes itself by having fewer readmissions and complications from surgeries, plus high patient satisfaction scores. • National Research Corporation recognized Rex with its Consumer Choice award for the 11th consecutive year. This means more people choose to receive their care at Rex than any other hospital in Wake County.
• Rex Hospital has maintained a top grade for its commitment to safe patient practices through the ability to prevent errors, injuries and infections. The Leapfrog Group awarded Rex an “A” in its fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. • For the first time in the history of the “Got To Be NC” Competition Dining contest, a competing chef hailed not from a restaurant, but from a hospital. Rex Healthcare Chef Ryan Conklin (right), along with his partners, Rex Chefs Steve Pexton and Collin Jennings, was one of 16 chefs selected to battle in this year’s tournament, which features secret, homegrown ingredients. Initially deemed a “dark horse” contestant, Chef Conklin won – first against Top of the Hill’s Chef Trey Cleveland. And he kept winning, taking out chefs from Raleigh’s well-known Midtowne Grill and Faire to reach the finals. Fancy restaurants versus a hospital may seem like a no contest, but Chef Conklin and Rex are dispelling the stereotypes of typical hospital food, and continuing to prove that a hospital can provide healthy, fine-dining cuisine for patients, visitors and co-workers.
Happenings! • Saturday, April 25, is the annual March of Dimes March for Babies event and this year, Rex is the presenting sponsor. Consider joining the Rex Team! • Komen Race for the Cure will be June 13 at Meredith College. Help us in the fight against breast cancer – come walk with Rex.
250 yd swim
10 mi bike
3.1 mi run
Give it a Tri Registration is open for the Rex Wellness Triathlon series. For more information visit www.fsseries.com. Upcoming races include:
July 12 – Garner Sprint Tri August 16 – Wakefield Sprint Tri September 20 – Knightdale Sprint Tri
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
PAID
Raleigh, NC 27607 Permit No. 1234
4420 Lake Boone Trail Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Gifts to Rex Healthcare are made through the Rex Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3). The Rex Healthcare Foundation can be reached at (919) 784-4424 or rex.foundation@rexhealth.com.
A Healthy Legacy How will you be remembered? By the qualities that make you human – a hearty laugh, a generous spirit, a kind word. By those you leave behind – children, grandchildren. For the mark you leave on your community.
By designating Rex Healthcare as a beneficiary of your will, life insurance or retirement plan, you will leave a legacy of health, compassion, innovation and growth.
For more information, contact Katherine Stokes, Director, Major Gifts, at (919) 784-4475 or katherine.stokes@rexhealth.com.
rexhealthcarefoundation.com/gift-planning
Great oaks from little acorns grow. - Geoffrey Chaucer
If you have ever been to a Rex facility, you may have seen caregivers wearing acorn pins on their lapels. These pins come from patients and families just like you. Did a Rex co-worker or physician make a memorable difference for you or your family? Please consider honoring that special person through the Grateful Patient & Family program. It is easy and quick to do. Just visit:
rexhealthcarefoundation. com/cause/grateful-patients We will present an acorn pin to your awardee along with a note of thanks in your name, with no gift amount mentioned. Gratitude is a powerful expression of the heart. Won't you recognize your appreciation and make a gift today?