Inspired - Rex Healthcare Foundation Newsletter and Annual Report

Fall 2019

News from Rex Healthcare Foundation

Bagging a Healthy Prescription: New Food Pantry supports food insecure patients

Dr. Ann Collins Leading UNC REX in the Delivery Room and the Board Room

Recognizing Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

Includes the 2019 Gratitude Report Ken Zeitler, a champion for UNC REX Cancer Care in medicine and healing.

Our mission is to provide opportunities for our community to invest resources in the excellent work of UNC REX Healthcare. The core activities through which the Foundation fulfills this mission include: advocacy, education, program development, fundraising, strategic partnerships and donor engagement.

Inside This Issue A Message from Our President, Steve Burriss......................... 3 UNC REX Food Pantry Addresses Patients’ Food Insecurities............................................................ 4-5 Dr. Ken Zeitler: Building on a History of Charitable Giving........................................... 6-7 Pastoral Care Services - Promoting Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Healing..................................... 8-9 Code Lilac................................................................................ 9 UNC REX Benefits from the Benevolence of A.E. Finley...................................10-11 2019 Gratitude Report

A Message from Sylvia Hackett.......................... 12

Total Raised in FY19.............................................. 12

Total Invested in Our Hospital............................. 13

Grateful Patient Recognizes Caregivers Who Went Above and Beyond...................................14-15 2019 Acorn Pin Recipients..................................................... 16 UNC REX Celebrates 125 Years............................................. 17 REX Hospital Open...........................................................18-19 Dr. Ann Collins, Board Chair..............................................20-21 UNC REX Healthcare Trustees................................................ 21 Kay Yow Cancer Fund: A Valued Partner of Mobile Mammography Units.................................22-23 Foundation Staff.................................................................... 23

Rex Hospital on South Street 1909 - 1937

Editor: Jackie Leach Pierce Special acknowledgement to Laurie’s Write Touch!, Partin Design Group and Brian Strickland Photography.

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2500 Blue Ridge Rd., Suite 325 Raleigh, NC 27607 rex.foundation@unchealth.unc.edu (919) 784-4424 RexHealthcareFoundation.com

A Message from our President, Steve Burriss “In this work against sickness, we begin not with genetic or cellular interactions, but with human ones. They are what make medicine so complex and fascinating.” – Dr. Atul Gawande American surgeon, writer and public health researcher, Dr. Atul Gawande’s quote truly encapsulates the spirit of UNC REX Healthcare.

Building and fostering relationships with our patients and the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do. The collaborative relationships among our physicians, nurses and co-workers demonstrate their commitment to clinical excellence, ensuring we provide outstanding health care.

Steve Burriss

This year marks our 125th anniversary, and I am immeasurably proud to be part of UNC REX during this milestone. As we celebrate 125

years, our footprint continues to grow beyond the Main Campus in Raleigh to reach more patients living in communities in and around Wake County. We are particularly excited about two construction projects that will expand services in Holly Springs and combine cancer services in Raleigh. The new 4-story, 145,000 square-foot Cancer Center, slated to open in 2021, will bring all of our cancer services together by consolidating the main REX Cancer Center and our satellite clinic on Blue Ridge Road. The new Center’s providers will also collaborate with UNC REX’s satellite cancer clinics in Cary, Garner, East Raleigh, Wakefield, Clayton and Smithfield. Construction has begun on a 50-bed community hospital so we can better care for patients in Holly Springs and southern Wake County. The full-service hospital will continue that mission with a 24/7 Emergency Department, Labor & Delivery, operating rooms for a wide range of surgeries, inpatient beds and more.

As you read through this year’s edition of Inspired and develop a sense of how we distinguish ourselves among U.S. hospitals, please know that your support, for which we are grateful, enables us to live out our mission of inspiring hope, improving health and healing communities. Here’s to the next 125 years!

Sincerely,

Steve Burriss President

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Bagging a Healthy New Food Pa Prescription day. On top of that, they had health bars

and applesauce in the bags, so my 4-yearold had some snacks to eat.”

Johnson said she’s grateful to UNC REX and wishes other hospitals would emulate their generosity.

“When you go to a hospital, a majority of the time you’re going through stuff or if it’s not you, it’s a loved one,” she said.

“To be given food at that time feels really encouraging. I think all hospitals should be able to do what UNC REX is doing in terms of helping people in need…”

In collaboration with Food Lion and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, UNC REX opened a Food Pantry in November 2018 to support patients and their families who struggle with access to healthy food. The pantry is an example of how UNC REX fulfills its mission to improve health.

“The Foundation really worked hand in hand with Food Lion to develop a long-

M

term plan on how we can best serve our egan L. Johnson is a single, stay-

“One of the days I went to UNC REX to see

at-home mom with children ages

my daughter they had two bags of food

4, 1, and three months. In July when her

by her bed and told me it was for me,”

daughter, Kenlee, was transferred to UNC

Johnson said in August. “I was caught off

REX’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, it

guard. I had my oldest daughter with me,

posed a serious problem for Johnson.

and when they said the food bags were for

Raleigh is a 45-minute drive from Johnson’s home, and she does not have transportation. Moreover, money is tight.

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me, it made me feel good. It’s hard for me to go in the NICU, but the fact that they had thought about me and brought me something made me feel a lot better that

patients,” said Food Pantry Manager Tara Freeman. “They collaborated to make sure that this program is viable and was meeting patient needs.”

Here is how it works: Two USDA questions are used to screen patients for food insecurity. Once need is identified, a prescription is triggered to the Food Pantry and Freeman or one of her volunteers prepares bags containing four days’ worth

ntry Supports Food Insecurities of food for a family of four. Patients receive

because he couldn’t afford his prescription

benefits, and it makes sense to send them

the bags before they are discharged.

medication anymore so he stopped taking

home with a bag of food.

“The patients are always elated to know that we’re really thinking about them and that the care doesn’t stop once they’re

it,” Freeman said. “We don’t want our patients to have to choose between critical medications and healthy, nutritious meals.”

Rice, beans, corn, beets, applesauce, cornbread, soup, macaroni and flour are among items in the bags. D’Auria hopes

walking out the door,” Freeman said. “I’ve

Regina D’Auria, a social worker for UNC

that toiletries like soap and travel-sized

had instances where it was the family

REX Women’s Center, has referred several

toothbrushes and toothpaste will be

members and not the patients that were

patients to Freeman.

included in the future. She said, “The

really, really happy because they didn’t have to worry about food on top of having to worry about their loved ones.”

“We know there are families with food insecurities that are not necessarily in trauma mode,” D’Auria said. She added

“I had a gentleman tear up and say

that some patients receive needs-based/

the reason he was in the hospital was

income-based type of governmental

Food Pantry shows that UNC REX cares about the whole person and not just their physical health. Food insecurity is a global issue, so it’s been great to see us take that on as an organization.”

Food Pantry manager Tara Freeman and volunteers Jay Regan and Jocelyn Williams prepare food bags for patients.

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Meet Dr. Ken Zeitler

Building on a History of Charitable Giving I

n 1978 while traveling from Boston to Chapel Hill in his

Zeitler’s father and brother are both doctors, and deep

Volkswagen Beetle, Dr. Ken Zeitler’s car broke down in

down he always knew he would become one, too. Yet for a

South Hill, Virginia, forcing his car to get towed and him to get

while in college, he thought about becoming a criminologist

introduced to southern hospitality when a passerby stopped

because he was interested in psychopathology. He also briefly

to help. Having finished his residency, Zeitler was coming to

considered becoming an architect, a thought that didn’t last

North Carolina with his wife, Joyce, and their infant son so he

long.

could accept a fellowship at UNC Hospitals in hematology/ oncology.

which he seemed destined. And in a career that spanned 35

Zeitler grew up in Malden, less than 10 miles from Boston, and

years, he became not only a beloved physician but also a

attended Columbia College and medical school at Columbia

champion — and fundraiser — for the new Cancer Center

University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City

that is slated to open in 2021, a center about which he and

before completing his residency at Beth Israel Deaconess

other UNC REX physicians have long dreamt.

Medical Center in Boston. Moving to North Carolina to work at UNC Hospitals would be a good move for Zeitler, advised one of his mentors. So he took his advice and headed south.

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Fortunately for UNC REX, Zeitler stepped into the role for

“The present Cancer Center is crowded ... so having a place that’s spacious and bright specifically designed for cancer patients is going to make all the difference in the world,” said

Zeitler. When he began working at UNC REX, he shared a tiny

Nowadays, life is good for Zeitler, though he has certainly

office with Dr. Jeff Crane, after the two left private practice to

experienced his share of challenges. He was forced to retire

come to UNC REX.

from UNC REX because of complications from a brain tumor,

“It will be a big deal to have (most) all of the services centralized, like one-stop shopping,” Zeitler continued. “I think as a result there will be better interdisciplinary discussions. It will be a place that people will be proud to work in, a burst of energy for the staff and physicians. The Cancer Center

which originally surfaced in 1996. In a 2013 New York Times article titled How Doctors Die: Showing Others the Way, Zeitler spoke about his illness. He also authored a piece for pulsevoices.org in which he detailed his battle and some of the tough decisions he had to make along the way.

has been a dream of mine for about 20 years. It’s long, long

For a man who has spent his life trying to treat cancer in

overdue.”

others, being diagnosed with malignancy was ironic and

Some people have had a vision about what needs to be done,

challenging.

but not the wherewithal to make it happen. Zeitler possesses

“I would have liked to have worked until I was ready to stop,

both -- especially when it comes to UNC REX.

but I could no longer do the work safely,” Zeitler said. “UNC

About eight months ago, he and his wife closed out a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, or CRUT, and gave the money to UNC REX. Zeitler and his wife also started an endowment for UNC REX by making an initial investment and then providing it as an option for family and friends who wanted to celebrate his birthday or patients who wanted to say thank

REX offered me a position to work at the Foundation, and I worked there for a few years. I like giving money, but I’m not very skilled at raising it. As far as my illness, right now I’m stable and my scans are stable. The future is kind of unknown, but eventually the cancer will progress. I try to stay in the moment and not think too far ahead.”

you. One of his former patients planned to leave Zeitler money

Zeitler and his wife enjoy traveling and spending time with

in his will, but after Zeitler got wind of the gift, he convinced

their children -- Emily, a cardiologist at Dartmouth in Hanover,

the man to give the money to the endowment instead. This

New Hampshire, and Daniel, an ENT at Virginia Mason in

was not surprising to those who understand the depths of

Seattle. Spending time with his five grandchildren also brings

Zeitler’s affinity for UNC REX Cancer Care.

him joy.

Zeitler even found a way to parlay his amateur photography

He turns 70 on November 5 and will commemorate that

into resources when construction for the new Heart and

milestone with family and friends. But make no mistake:

Vascular Hospital began. Today it is full of art, with a section

Zeitler celebrates life every day and has cherished each year

showcasing pictures from Zeitler and other North Carolina

he’s had since age 46 when he was initially diagnosed.

photographers.

“I love UNC REX because they treat staff and patients with respect,” Zeitler explains. “It was a partnership. We have a tradition of philanthropy in my family. Our parents were all

He also celebrates the new Cancer Center that’s on the horizon and eagerly anticipates attending its opening.

“If I can walk, I’ll be there.”

very philanthropic, and my wife and I have been blessed.”

The Zeitler’s have been married for 44 years and believe

For more information about supporting the new Cancer

strongly in Tzedakah, a Jewish concept of charitable giving.

Center, contact Kay Taylor: kay.taylor2@unchealth.unc.edu.

They also try to live out Tikkun Olam, which in simplistic terms means to make the world whole again.

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Pastoral Care Services Promoting Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Healing

C

ertified Nurse Manager and Leader Chloe Reynolds

The value of Pastoral Care Services cannot be overstated, as

remembers when a chaplain assigned to the Cardiac

it offers spiritual care that takes the form of patient visitation,

Surgical Intensive Care Unit at UNC REX established a relationship

worship services, music and more. Another example of spiritual and

with a female patient and her family soon after her admittance.

emotional support is Code Lilac, a peer group that provides staff

“When treatment decisions were taking a toll on the family and the family started experiencing crisis, they asked for him by name,”

life-changing event.

Reynolds said. “He calmed them and provided the support they

“A person is more than his or her illness and also more than his

needed, handling a difficult situation with grace.”

or her role on the staff,” said Carolyn Remaklus, coordinator of

Stories like that are commonplace among Pastoral Care Services, which Reynolds described as a vital part of UNC REX. “The chaplains are truly crisis interventionists who assist the clinical team in meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient, their families and the staff,” Reynolds said. “The Pastoral Care team enables UNC REX to holistically care for the patient and their families. This team also responds when the

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a safe place to process feelings and emotions, particularly after a

clinical pastoral education (CPE). “The Foundation, by valuing us and assisting with funding, has enabled us to tend to holistic care of patients and staff.”

Foundation funds help provide tuition grants for 20-24 students annually, many of whom would not be able to participate in CPE without financial assistance, said Jeremy Gilmore, coordinator of clinical pastoral education.

staff are experiencing difficult situations whether personally or

Gyasi Patterson, manager of pastoral care services and a former

professionally. Pastoral Care provides a vital component to what

student, said a tuition grant helped him succeed. “It was difficult

makes UNC REX unique — compassion and empathy.”

feeling like I had to fulfill outside duties and also answer my call

t Pastoral Care Services coworkers from left to right: Tarsha Banister (Chaplain Intern); Carolyn Remaklus (Clinical Pastoral Education Coordinator); Gyasi Patterson (Pastoral Care Services Manager); Radford Frazier (Chaplain Intern); Jeremy Gilmore (Clinical Pastoral Education Coordinator); George Gaitara (Chaplain Intern); Natalia Shulgina (Supervising Fellow); Sherry Storrs (Chaplain Intern)

to my passion of chaplaincy,” he said. “Having the money from my tuition grant allowed me to have more energy and passion for this work, so I am deeply grateful. It also told me that they care, that someone cares about this work and values it.”

Sherry Storrs and George Gaitara served as chaplain summer interns, providing spiritual care. Gilmore said Pastoral Care Services “literally could not serve all of the patients, families and staff that we do, or have our Pastoral Care Services at the level that we do, without financial support.”

In the case of Gaitara, the financial assistance he receives here will have far-reaching benefit for people some 7,679 miles away in his native Nairobi, Kenya.

“I started my journey for the CPE Program two years ago and finally got here,” Gaitara said in June. “I’m very grateful for the experience I’m having, getting to meet people and enjoying different situations. It’s an experience I may not have gotten in Nairobi, and I look forward to taking it back.”

Like her colleague Gaitara, Storrs also has a unique story.

“One of the reasons I chose Clinical Pastoral Education is I’ve been a patient,” she said. “My cardiologist is here, so I was already aware of the dynamics between the staff and patients. I appreciated that and wanted to give back. Without the grant I could not participate in this program.”

Tuition assistance isn’t the only benefit Pastoral Care Services has received from donor support. Additional funding has supported the purchase of worship supplies and music, which Gilmore said promotes spiritual, emotional and physical healing.

“Without the grant we wouldn’t have been able to obtain the materials,” Remaklus said. “The need for the grants and the impact they have is real.”

Storrs can attest to the importance of the materials because she has seen the excitement in patients’ eyes as music allowed them to connect to their past.

Dr. Logan C. Jones, Director of Pastoral Care Services, said Foundation support is integral for UNC REX’s ministry of care of souls — not only for patients and family members, but also for UNC REX Healthcare co-workers.

Code Lilac Members of Code Lilac, a peer group that provides staff a safe place to process feelings and emotions, particularly after a life-changing event, were excited to purchase a purple cart with funds from the Giving Gurney Grant. The cart was much needed and has come in handy, Code Lilac members say. The cart contains snacks, tissues and other items needed for Code Lilac visits.

Above: Code Lilac members from left to right: Jeremy Gilmore, Michelle Baitsholts, Wanda Adams and Mary Bridges stand behind a cart purchased with funds from the Giving Gurney Grant.

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A.E. Finley’s Benevolence Felt at UNC REX and Beyond

R

aleigh businessman

out selling, out in front of his customers. His wife once made the

A.E. Finley grew up on

comment that for the first 10 years of their marriage they didn’t

a farm in eastern Maryland, the youngest in a family of 11 children. After high school, he attended law school at night, eventually landing a position with a railroad executive, according to his great-nephew Duke Finley. After learning the ins and outs of the business, Finley took a job with General Utilities in Virginia and was assigned to North Carolina as his territory.

Finley helped his siblings once business started booming. His business became very profitable and in 1953, he established the A.E. Finley Foundation. The foundation which has granted substantial money to people and charities, including UNC REX Rehab and Nursing Care Centers, during its 66 years in existence.

When he was in his mid- to late-70s, Mr. Finley developed arthritis in his hands, a troubling disease both because of the pain associated with it and because he was an avid golfer. Mr. Finley went to UNC REX’s Rehab Center for treatment and continued

In 1929 despite the Stock Market crash, Mr. Finley envisioned establishing an equipment company on E. Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh, which he did. Within 15 years, he had offices up and down the east coast from Norfolk, Virginia, to Miami.

“He had only been in business four or five years when he shot out like a cannon,” said his great nephew Earle Finley. “He’d take off on Sunday night and not return until Friday afternoon. He was

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take a vacation.”

The newly remodeled facility at UNC REX’s Raleigh Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center.

hitting the links until age 85. He didn’t spend an ample amount of time at UNC REX, yet he never forgot the care he received.

“UNC REX was really dear to him and he would be pleased to see where it is today with all of the expansion,” Duke Finley said. “He was with UNC REX when it was on Wade Avenue. He went to UNC REX for treatment for his arthritis and had a connection with UNC REX. He was a UNC REX person.”

Co-workers at UNC REX‘s Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center of Raleigh.

Earle Finley said his great-uncle played baseball when he was

to those people and congratulated us. It was a really nice feel-good

young and loved the sport as a spectator all of his life. He was a

moment for the staff. “

boxer who was referred to as Kid Norfolk throughout the eastern shore of Virginia. He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing from Florida to Maryland.

He also had an affinity for young people and enjoyed giving money to organizations that dealt with youth. “He called the Commandant of Cadets of Hargrave Military Academy in the 1950s when he was putting his will together and asked him to come to Raleigh to meet with him,” Earle Finley said. “He informed the Commandant that the Commandant’s father had given him his first job, sweeping the floor of a general store. My uncle was so appreciative and never forgot that. His foundation gives them money every year.”

The money that the UNC REX Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center receives from The A.E. Finley Foundation is a huge help says Greg Page, Director of UNC REX Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center – Raleigh, and Michael Hess, his counterpart in Apex.

The funds have been used to provide program support and update

Hess and Page said the co-workers at their centers, which have received CMS 5-star and 4-star ratings, respectively, believe in going the extra mile for patients.

“I think it’s UNC REX’s position and philosophy to care for individuals and for patients,” Hess said. “They instill that culture and sense of servant leadership in their co-workers. The culture at UNC REX is what makes us the best.”

Page said a strong sense of teamwork, coupled with genuine care for patients, is what drives co-workers and leads to the letters or office visitors saying “it’s evident that the staff really cares, and that means everything.”

Apparently, it meant everything to Mr. Finley, too, and led him to give to UNC REX. A plaque in his office perhaps best explains his goodwill:

equipment.

Page and Hess added that the Rehab Centers have been recipients

Must I be giving again, and again?

of Giving Gurney Grants administered through the Rex Healthcare

The weary, wandering question came.

Foundation. Page was especially pleased last year when the REX Healthcare Foundation recognized nearly two dozen of his staff after a family contributed in their honor. “They wrote a letter and listed how happy they were with the care,” Page said. “The

“No,” said The Angel, piercing me through.

“Just stop — when The Master stops giving to you.”

Foundation came and presented Acorns (special acorn shaped pins)

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Gratitude Report

Thank You!

Fall 2019 Motivational speaker Jana Stanfield once said, “I cannot do all of the good that the world needs, but the world needs all of the good that I can do.” When it comes to the Rex Healthcare Foundation, truer words were never spoken.

Sylvia Hackett

Because of the Foundation, which could not exist without your unwavering support, UNC

Center, and I am certain that you, our wonderful donors, will continue supporting

REX Healthcare is a top-notch facility that

the Rex Healthcare Foundation to ensure we can continue doing that which is good

provides outstanding care and a variety of

for our community.

services to our patients and others in the communities we serve.

Foundations are only as successful as the individuals behind them, and at the Rex Healthcare Foundation we are blessed to have your support year in and year out.

Foundation support helps cover costs for

Your contributions help us make a difference in Wake and surrounding counties in

interns who work in Pastoral Care, bringing

North Carolina, in our part of the world, and I cannot tell you how grateful each

comfort to patients, their families and UNC REX

of us at the Foundation and UNC REX Healthcare is to you for your generosity. You

co-workers when they need it most. Moreover,

help us help others as we fulfill our mission to inspire hope, improve health and heal

through a Food Pantry opened last December

communities. It doesn’t get any better than that.

in partnership with Food Lion and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, the Foundation provides support for patients and their families who struggle with access to healthy food. I’m proud to say that our Food Pantry is one of the first operated by a hospital in North Carolina and one of only a handful across the U.S. The Foundation continues its support for our UNC REX Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Centers in Raleigh and Apex, and of course Foundation dollars are helping to bring the community our new hospital in Holly Springs as well as our Cancer Center, slated to open in 2021. We have fundraising campaigns underway for the new hospital and the Cancer

Sincerely,

Sylvia Hackett

Vice President, Rex Healthcare Foundation

Total Raised in FY19: $2.1 Million 480.....Co-worker donors

993

Repeat Donors 62.1%

540.....Tribute gifts, given in

1,600 Total number of donors

memory or honor of loved ones and caregivers

607

New Donors 37.9%

100.....Rex Society Members, giving $1,000 and up annually

46 .......Legacy Circle Members (Planned Giving Society)

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Total Invested in Our Hospital in FY19: $1.36 Million

7.1% 24.9% 10.5%

4.5% 52%

1%

● Patient Education Materials | $13,895.00 ● Patient Assistance | $340,167.33 ● Free Mammograms | $97,200.00 ● Staff Education, Scholarships and Certifications | $61,786.96 ● Facility Enhancement and Equipment | $143,369.60 Building and Construction | $712,410.56 ● Emergency Department Observation Unit / Behavioral Health | $242,280.00 ● Cancer Center - Phase 1 | $230,799.71 ● Holly Springs Hospital - Phase 1 | $191,337.02 ● Labyrinth | $47,993.83

Additional Areas of Support 182 Nursing Certifications/ Recertifications

1 Walking Labyrinth = Infinite Steps

20 Nursing Excellence Scholarships

17 pieces of art added to the NC Heart & Vascular Hospital's collection

11 CPE Tuition Grants

16 Patient Care Services Scholarships

972 Free Mammograms

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Grateful Patient Recognizes Caregivers Who Went

Above and Beyond O

ne morning in late June 2018, Ed Rapp started having chills and decided to rest. Concerned, his wife, Ann, contacted their daughter, Ali, a UNC REX nurse who arrived with her husband, an EMT. After a

temperature reading of 104, they told Rapp to go to UNC REX immediately.

“It was a week before we were supposed to go to Missouri for a family wedding and to celebrate my parents’ 65th wedding anniversary, but of course the doctors at UNC REX had a different idea,” Rapp said.

“I wanted to go in the worst way and was trying to negotiate with the doctors, but they had a protocol they just had to follow.”

During Rapp’s five-day hospital stay for an infection, he received such outstanding care that he felt compelled to recognize Dr. Nihan Cannon, Emily Hooper and Chris Adams with Acorn Awards. The Acorn Award is a feature of the UNC REX Grateful Patients and Families Program. Whenever a UNC REX co-worker is honored, he or she receives a special acorn pin to demonstrate the recognition for outstanding customer service and quality patient care.

“I’m sure they viewed it as just doing their job, but I thought they went beyond the call of duty,” Rapp recalled. “What I remember in particular is that Chris made sure the emergency room was ready when I arrived, did the assessment and got me to a room as quickly as possible. Moreover, I had a lot of questions … and even though Emily, as a nurse, could have told me to wait on the doctor, she made the extra effort to answer my questions and to do it compassionately.”

Prior to that June morning, Rapp’s sole connection to UNC REX was his daughter’s employment. His ALS diagnosis had come in November 2015 at the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It was a cruel diagnosis for a man who had called in sick only twice in 37 years with Caterpillar.

Rapp started pricing individual parts for Caterpillar in Peoria, Illinois, in 1979 and retired in 2016 as Group President after leading more than 20,000 people and managing roughly $20 billion in sales. Business travel took him to San Francisco, Geneva, Singapore, Johannesburg and other locations.

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Ed Rapp (center) poses with the caregivers (left to right) Jennifer Mcinnis, Rex Transfer Center; Chris Adams, paramedic; Joel Ray, UNC REX Vice President/CNO; and Dr. Nihan Cannon at the Acorn ceremony after making at donation to UNC REX in their honor.

Rapp is used to making things happen, so accepting he

“He was very understanding about what was going on and

couldn’t attend his parents’ anniversary celebration was

was a very active member in trying to get better,” Cannon

hard.

said. “I needed to wait about 48 hours for a blood culture

“While it would have been incredibly easy to be frustrated or angry … the reality of it is the compassionate care I received and the way they explained the severity of the issue I was dealing with helped me come to grips with my situation,” he said.

Rapp, who lives in Cary with his wife and has three adult children, said his admiration over his care continued until he was discharged from UNC REX, particularly since his attending physician stayed after her shift ended to ensure his discharge paperwork was complete.

“To me it all ties into what hospitals need to do to improve patient care, which is relieving healthcare professionals of as much of the red tape and office paperwork as possible to free them up for the reason they got into healthcare in

to come back and make sure his infection was clearing. It hadn’t been the full 48 hours but it was close and felt very promising. I thought at that point it was reasonable for him to be discharged and have outpatient follow-up.

“In some sense it would have been easier to discharge him in the morning,” Cannon continued. “If you make people better you will have doctored well, but that to me is never quite enough. Ultimately, I just really want my patients to feel as though I treated them like people.”

Rapp’s family has long believed in recognizing those who exceed expectations, so acknowledging Cannon, Hooper and Adams with Acorn Awards, which he learned about from his daughter, was easy. Moreover, Rapp attended the ceremony at which they were honored.

the beginning — to interact with and take care of patients,”

“It was nice to see them again when I wasn’t in a hospital

Rapp said.

bed,” Rapp said. “It was an emotional day for them in

Cannon, an internal medicine physician, said she was struck by Rapp’s attitude throughout his hospitalization. His demeanor, she said, made it easy for her, Hooper and Adams to want to go the extra mile for him.

terms of being recognized and for me to be there to thank them in person. One of the things I learned at Caterpillar is that showing up matters. It’s easy to write a check to a foundation, but it takes a little more effort to show up in person and it meant a lot to me to be able to do that.”

For more information, visit rexhealthcarefoundation.com/cause/grateful-patients.

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The 2019 Acorn Pin Recipients

Left to right: UNC REX Healthcare Abigail Leyva, receives significant Sharon Brown and support through the Cintia Huddleston Grateful Patient and Families Program. The program provides a way for patients and families to express their appreciation for the care they received by making a gift to the Rex Healthcare Foundation.

An exciting feature about the program is that donors can choose to honor caregivers – nurses, doctors, technicians – as well as individuals who do not provide direct patient care, such as members of housekeeping, food services and volunteers. These tribute gifts are especially meaningful in that honored staff members receive special recognition in front of their peers and a pewter lapel pin, shaped like an acorn to signify this special honor.

The acorn is a symbol that no matter how small the act of kindness, it makes a difference to others.

The following individuals and departments received acorn pins in FY19 for their outstanding customer service and quality patient care:

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Honor/Memorial Department

Honor/Memorial Department

Julia Aucoin...........................Clinical Education Cynthia Barnes......................Anesthesia Mark Bennett .......................Surgical Stacy Bennett, MD.................Acute Care Services Sarah Berg.............................Radiation Therapy Angela Bethel........................MSICU Beth Board............................SS Materials Jeremiah Boles, MD...............Rex Cancer Center Fadwa Bousliman..................8HV Renee Bridges.......................7HV Mary Bridges.........................8HV Holly Briggs...........................8HV Claire Brouwer......................5E Karen Brown.........................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Pascha Broxton......................5E Machelle Bryson....................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Jennifer Burdette...................Palliative Care Branisha Burns......................Staffing Response Team Nihan Cannon, MD...............Hospitalist Charlene Carbone.................7E Afton Carducci......................Rex SS Bariatric Specialists Skyler Carter..........................5HV Mike Childers........................Rex Cancer Center Richard Chiulli, MD...............Rex Surgical Specialists Jessica Cline..........................Respiratory Therapy Renee Connelly.....................8HV Kelly Crabill............................Surgical Services Diane Davis...........................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Lynda Drye.............................Surgical Services Barbara Dull, MD...................Breast Surgery Lori Duncan, MD...................Case Management Sharon Edwards....................CICU HV Seree Elias.............................7E Bloom English.......................5E Suzi Finochio.........................Surgical Services Mark Foil...............................3W Eva Gichuhi...........................8HV Rachael Glenn.......................CICU HV Tracy Goodson.......................CICU HV Christian Gring, MD..............Rex Cancer Center Amanda Guillois....................Speech Therapy Carolyn Haft..........................Clinical Nutrition Morgan Hamilton..................8HV Emily Hooper.........................3W Elizabeth Howerton...............Surgical Services Susan Huffey.........................Surgical Services Alisa Jardin............................8HV Robert Jobe, MD....................NC Heart & Vascular Jessica Johnson.....................Emergency Lynn Johnson.........................5E Readie Johnson.....................7E John Jose ..............................CICU HV Jamie Josephson...................Surgical Services Jan Kimball............................Palliative Care Katelyn Kincer.......................CSICU HV Betty Klein.............................MSICU Stephanie Klopfenstein.........7W Janice Laurore.......................8HV Joshua LaVoie........................5E Terence Leathers....................Pastoral Care Susan Litzsinger....................Radiation Therapy Rommel Lu, MD.....................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Bonnie Mangino....................Physical Therapy - Cary Megan Mannikko..................Physical Therapy Sara Mason...........................8HV Diana Massa..........................Diagnostic Services Tracey Mays...........................8HV Mary Kay McCormick, MD....Rex Intensivist

Rieann McDaniel...................CSICU HV Erica McKearney....................Rex SS Bariatric Specialists Brendan McNulty, MD...........REX Hematology Oncology ..............................................Associates-Garner Grace McPherson..................4E Peter Milano, MD..................Acute Care Services Sameh Mobarek, MD............NC Heart & Vascular Leon Monroe.........................7W Maddada Morrison...............7E Paige Morrison......................CSICU HV Evans Mose...........................CSICU HV Korea Muchenje....................Respiratory Therapy Jacqui Murphy.......................4E Colm O‘Loughlin, MD............Gastroenterology Rhodora Oluyemisi................7E Ruza Pavic.............................ED Jarrett Pearce.........................8HV Tanekia Pernell Williams........E. Raleigh Cancer Center Jessica Perry..........................CICU HV Chere Perry............................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Scott Peterson.......................Radiology Malu Pobele..........................8HV Bailey Proctor........................7E Kathy Quattrocchi.................MSICU Jennifer Reason.....................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Chloe Reynolds......................6HV Lisa Robbins..........................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Mary Kay Roberts..................Surgical Services Holly Roseman .....................Surgical Services Alice Salinas..........................8HV Terri Saunders........................Radiation Therapy Arron Seigh...........................MSICU Nisa Semkow, NP..................NC Heart & Vascular Sid Shah, MD.........................NC Heart & Vascular Mary Sibenge........................CSICU HV Elizabeth Sill..........................8HV Bryan Sisk..............................ED Rachel Smith.........................Palliative Care Angela Smith.........................8HV Sara Sourbeer, PA..................Rex Structural Heart Clinic Telecia Southerland...............5E Deb Stargardt........................Patient Experience Kathryn Stewart....................5E Scott Suggs............................Crtical Care Transport Angilique Svolto....................NC H&V - Holly Springs Kayo Terada...........................5E Alice Thomasson....................8HV Stacey Thompson..................7E Marissa Thorne......................Rex Cancer Center Amudut Tunwashe................8HV Jillian Vari..............................Rex SS Bariatric Specialists Mandy Vaugh........................3E Yulanda Venable....................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Sherry Veriato........................Surgical Services Virginia Ward.........................5HV Latrice Washington................8HV Kelli Westmoreland...............Surgical Services Rob Wiltberger......................Rex Intensivist Adrienne Wrenn....................E. Raleigh Cancer Center Latisha Wright.......................8HV Kristen Wu.............................Process Improvement Willis Wu, MD........................NC Heart & Vascular Anne Yeager, MD...................Palliative Care James Zidar, MD....................NC Heart & Vascular Staff.......................................6 Heart & Vascular Staff.......................................CICU HV Staff.......................................RRNCC-Raleigh Staff.......................................UNC REX Womens & Childrens

UNC REX Celebrates

For 125 years, UNC REX Healthcare has provided expert care for the Wake County community and surrounding areas. Over the span of four locations, UNC REX has been inspiring hope, improving health and healing communities since 1894.

This is a milestone that many organizations are not fortunate enough to achieve. In November, we will celebrate Raleigh’s original hospital in a very special way. This celebration event will commemorate the past, champion the future and honor UNC REX’s longstanding commitment to caring for the community.

The celebration will take place on UNC REX’s main campus, paying tribute to the critical mission of the hospital. Guests will be treated to an evening under the stars, filled with amazing food, historical reflection and celebration of all who have made this accomplishment possible.

For more information, contact Amy Daniels at amy.daniels@unchealth.unc.edu or (919) 784-4434.

Rex Hospital on South Street | 1894 - 1909

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REX Hospital Open Raises $ 550,000 to Support New UNC REX Cancer Center T

he 2019 REX Hospital Open was a huge success, drawing thousands of fans to cheer on the Triangle’s top professional golf tournament

and raising $550,000 to support the new UNC REX Cancer Center, now under construction. Over the past 31 years net proceeds have exceeded $9 million.

Funds have supported many different hospital initiatives over that time including Patient Assistance Funds, Mobile Mammography and Mobile Heart & Vascular units and more recently the brand new NC Heart & Vascular Hospital on the main UNC REX Campus.

Sebastian Cappelen won the 2019 tournament, shooting a record 21-under par to win by three shots. Cappelen’s victory helped secure his path to play

2019 Champion, Sebastian Cappelen

on the PGA Tour next season. Grayson Murray, a Raleigh native born at UNC REX, shot a final round 61 and finished tied for second.

The 2020 REX Hospital Open will return to the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation on May 28 - 31. Next year’s tournament will be the only North Carolina stop for the newly named Korn Ferry Tour. The PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry recently announced that the Los Angeles-based, global organizational consulting firm will serve as the Tour’s Umbrella Sponsor.

The future of the REX Hospital Open looks bright as the Korn Ferry Tour continues to produce the best young talent in professional golf. This affordable, family friendly event will continue to grow and provide the Triangle the opportunity to see the future superstars of the PGA TOUR all while supporting a great cause.

A special “thank you” to all of our sponsors, supporters and over 400 volunteers who make this event one of the best on TOUR.

18

Jim Burns (3rd from the left) recognized for 10 years as a starter in the REX Hospital Open. With Jim, from left to right, are Pat Newton, Andrew Little and Jim Weathers.

For more information on supporting the REX Hospital Open, contact: Kevin Bender, Sponsorships and Business Development Kevin.Bender@unchealth.unc.edu | (919) 784-4562

Fans enjoying a break and a snack.

Food Truck Friday

Healthy tips along the path provided by Delta Dental.

Kids have a blast!

Fun for all ages!

Don’t miss the excitement and fun of the 2020 REX Hospital Open: May 28 - 31

Stay tuned for more information on sponsorships, volunteer opportunities and more!

19

Dr. Ann S. Collins Board Chair UNC REX Healthcare

D

r. Ann S. Collins has experienced

they’ve lost a baby,” she said. “There are

Collins was humbled and honored when

countless joys since 1995 when she

times when you must keep your emotions

Burriss offered her the board chair role.

began practicing obstetrics and gynecology

in check because you have to take care of

She said she was also a little surprised and

at UNC REX. The first twins she delivered

your patient, but inside your heart is just

wary because of the wonderful job former

that year were sisters who weighed

breaking. Those are the times you perform

chair Bob Thomas had performed. Her

identical amounts — a feat she says

your ‘duty’ then step away and let it all out

strength, she says, lies in the clinical aspects

almost never happens and one she hasn’t

in private.”

of healthcare and is complemented by the

experienced again.

That Collins cares about her patients is

who bring their own talents to the table.

Though she’s delivered thousands of babies

evident, and now she’s bringing that same

in her career, Collins says the feeling never

compassion and professionalism to her

Collins is UNC REX’s first female chair,

gets old. “There’s just something miraculous

role as Chair of the Board at UNC REX

a fact she downplays likely because her

in being in a room with a mother and father

Healthcare. She became chair in January

parents never placed limitations on their

and then all of the sudden there’s another

and has taken over during UNC REX’s

three daughters.

human being that’s crying, and sometimes

milestone anniversary, when expansion

the parents are crying,” Collins said. “It’s

includes a new Cancer Center and a new

all such a beautiful experience and always

50-bed hospital in Holly Springs.

unique no matter how many children a couple has … I consider it such an honor to share that with my patients.”

“My parents never once said, ‘well, you don’t want to do that’ or ‘you can’t do that,’” said Collins who’s now in private

“As UNC REX marks its 125th anniversary,

practice. “I told them I wanted to go to

we are pleased that our new chair is a

medical school and they said, ‘that sounds

physician with Dr. Collins’ reputation for

good.‘”

Of course, Collins has also experienced

excellence,” said UNC REX President Steve

the painful side of delivery. “Even though

Burriss. “She’s a strong leader and a caring

I’ve rejoiced many more times with my

and compassionate clinician, which is the

patients, I’ve also cried with them when

perfect combination to help lead UNC REX into the future.”

20

Board’s diverse and dedicated members

Collins spent two weeks pondering whether to become Chair and also discussed the decision with her partners, who were very supportive.

2019 Trustees of UNC REX Healthcare

“I have a lot of respect for UNC REX, the physicians who work there, the nurses, the staff. It really is a remarkable hospital,” Collins said. “For me to represent them is a huge honor, and to have a part in maintaining that culture of excellence is really humbling.”

Collins attended medical school at Duke University and completed her residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. “I loved surgery

Catharine B. Arrowood Parker Poe

Teresa C. Artis ComCounsel

… the diversity of OB-GYN and the fact that I was going to get continuity of care. I knew with OB-GYN I was going to see my patients on a regular basis

Wesley Burks, M.D. UNC Health Care

and we were going to age together. Having a baby is probably one of the only times that people are glad to be in the hospital. It’s a joyous time for the most part…”

Collins said UNC REX must continue being a vital part of the community while finding ways to help people in wellness and in sickness. She cites

Stephen W. Burriss UNC REX Healthcare

Ann S. Collins, M.D. Woman’s Health Alliance, PA DBA Centre Ob/Gyn

the Holly Springs hospital and new Cancer Center as proof of UNC REX’s commitment to growth and to serving Wake and surrounding counties.

She’s grateful to everyone who gives their time and financial commitments

Courtney A. Crowder Crowder Consulting Co., LLC

to Rex Healthcare Foundation, enabling the hospital to accomplish goals that otherwise would likely go unfulfilled.

Peter D. Hans Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP

When she’s not delivering babies or seeing patients, Collins enjoys traveling and relaxing at the beach. Of course, a lot of her time is centered around UNC REX, which she said is outstanding because of its co-workers.

Steven C. Lilly Volunteer

“The care that is demonstrated at UNC REX is what makes it so special,” Collins said.

C. Howard Nye Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

She’s a strong leader and a caring and compassionate clinician, which is the perfect combination to help lead UNC REX into the future.

Gary L. Park UNC Hospitals

Bobby T. Parker Volunteer Rig S. Patel, M.D. UNC REX Digestive Healthcare

Jason Sandler Curi, Inc.

- UNC REX President Steve Burriss

21

Kay Yow Cancer Fund A Valued Partner of Mobile Mammography Units

D

arlene Faucette, a safety health

Faucette said about 68 of her colleagues

equipment for two mobile mammography

environmental specialist for a

also got breast cancer screenings through

units at UNC REX, as well as a portion of

manufacturing facility in rural Granville

UNC REX’s mobile unit last year. “I think

the Angel Fund.”

County, had a cancer scare in 2012.

it’s a wonderful thing that UNC REX

Fortunately for her, the

supports the women in

biopsy results from tissue

North Carolina,” she said.

in her left breast came back

“I appreciate the hard

negative.

work and dedication they have in helping all women

For seven consecutive

with detecting possible

years, Faucette has taken

breast cancer.”

advantage of UNC REX’s mobile mammography unit, which travels to counties

Darlene Faucette

Faucette’s words are music to the ears of Stephanie

in central North Carolina providing

Glance, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

screenings for women — some of whom

Named after the legendary Hall of Fame

may have transportation or financial

and N.C. State women’s basketball coach,

challenges.

the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in 11 years has

“I have received a mammogram on the mobile unit and received screenings on the 2-D machine as well as the 3-D machine,” Faucette said. “Utilizing the UNC REX mobile unit makes it convenient because the women don’t have to leave work to get their screenings. I have never had a mammogram anywhere else. My screenings have always been through the mobile unit.”

awarded $7.53 million to support research

UNC REX’s mobile mammography units serve women in 15 North Carolina counties. The Angel Fund provides financial assistance to patients actively undergoing cancer treatments.

“The mobile units offer mammograms to women who may not have insurance or who may be underinsured,” Glance said.

“They provide a wonderful service that, frankly, saves lives.”

Yow wanted the fund bearing her name to address all cancers affecting women, not just breast cancer, Glance said.

and programs that serve the underserved

“Kay Yow had a vision to unite a nation

for all cancers affecting women.

of coaches, players, businesses and

Since 2012, The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has donated $730,000 to UNC REX.

communities to raise money for a common cause that far exceeds wins and losses on the court,” said Glance, an assistant coach under Yow for 15 years. “We’re raising money in 50 states and have a true

“We so greatly appreciate the work that

grassroots movement. If she were still here,

UNC REX does in the fight against cancer,”

Coach Yow would be very grateful for all of

Glance said. “We’ve been thrilled to be a part of funding the digital imaging

Stephanie Glance and Kay Yow

22

the people who’ve supported the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the mission of the fund, but she’d encourage all of us to do more because we’re not there yet.”

Our Team

Rex Healthcare Foundation

The UNC REX partnership is a win-win, Glance said, in large part because of the impact 3-D imaging has on early detection of breast cancer.

“We’re honored to provide funding to enable installation of 3-D imaging equipment in UNC REX’s mobile mammography units.”

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has been in existence since 2007, providing money to support research for various types of cancers, including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer and cancer in aging women.

“We’d like to be able to serve everyone and every entity, but that’s not realistic so we have to abide by the mission set forth by Coach Yow and the Board of Directors, which is to have the greatest impact possible through funding research and underserved populations,” Glance said.

“Our partnership with UNC REX makes total sense because we’re both in the business of

Sylvia Hackett Vice President Kevin Bender REX Hospital Open Sales Representative Amy Daniels Foundation Director Dariel Dixon Database Analyst Angela Harris Program / Grants Officer Brian Krusoe REX Hospital Open Tournament Director Jackie Leach Pierce Sr. Philanthropy Officer Steph Stephenson Stewardship and Administrative Associate

having a significant impact in the community and beyond around fighting cancer, so it makes sense for us to have the partnership with UNC REX and to continue it for years to come,” she continued.

Faucette, of Henderson, cannot say enough about

Kay Taylor Strategic Philanthropy Director Madison Welsh Summer Intern

UNC REX and its efforts to provide women access to the screenings they need.

“UNC REX, with the mobile mammography units, is in a sense providing funding for women who live in rural areas that may not have health insurance,” she said. “The mobile units are a great mechanism by which breast cancer can be detected, particularly at an early age, which can make all the difference in the world.”

2500 Blue Ridge Rd., Suite 325, Raleigh, NC 27607 rex.foundation@unchealth.unc.edu (919) 784-4424 RexHealthcareFoundation.com 23

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

PAID 4420 Lake Boone Trail Raleigh, North Carolina 27607

Raleigh, NC 27607 Permit No. 1234

Gifts to UNC 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@unchealth.unc.edu.

Rex Hospital opened its doors to care for the citizens of Raleigh on May 1, 1894. If not for the vision and philanthropic bequest of John Rex, a tanner and, as stated in his death notice from the Raleigh Register, “an old and respectable citizen,� the history and landscape of healthcare in Wake County would look quite different.

Over the past 125 years, Rex Hospital adapted to advances in medicine and surgery, embraced new medical technologies and has been a leader in providing the best in healthcare to residents of Raleigh, Wake County and beyond.

UNC REX co-workers celebrate our 125th Anniversary in front of the North Carolina Heart & Vascular Hospital on May 6, 2019.