Local Business Achievements

Something to Celebrate...

Teresa McDuffie Retires After 32 Years With FMU

Francis Marion University faculty and staff gathered Tuesday to celebrate the career of Teresa McDuffie, who will retire this week after nearly 33 years with the university. At a reception held at The Cottage on FMU’s main campus, McDuffie was presented with a special resolution by university president Dr. Fred Carter and lauded for her years of dedicated service. “Teresa has been an amazing part of this university, and we all wish her well in her retirement,” Carter said. “From her work in campus technology, to her contributions with the African American Faculty and Staff Coalition, Teresa has done an outstanding job and has left an indelible mark on Francis Marion." McDuffie joined FMU’s campus technology department as a computer technician in 1989. She later advanced to systems support technologist and network specialist, before becoming network systems administrator. McDuffie said she looks back fondly on her many years at FMU, and plans to remain in Florence with her husband, Bernard. “I just thank God for allowing me to be a part of the Francis Marion family,” McDuffie told her friends and colleagues. “I cherish all of the memories and I love you all.” McDuffie’s contributions to FMU were numerous. In addition to updating the network infrastructure on campus, McDuffie served as a founding member of the African American Faculty and Staff Coalition. McDuffie was also presented with the John J. Kispert Leadership Award in 2016.

Hulon Named 2022 Bobby Gerald Main Street Hero

Congratulations, Jason Hulon, for being named the 2022 Bobby Gerald Main Street Hero award winner! Thank you to the entire Hulon family for fifty-four years of service to Marion’s Historic District!

Brand receives FMU’s AAFSC Diversity Award

LaTasha Brand, dean of students at Francis Marion University, received the FMU African-American Faculty and Staff Coalition’s Diversity Award at the organization’s annual scholarship banquet Thursday night. Brand, a native of North Charleston, has deep ties to Francis Marion University. Before graduating in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in English, she served as president of the Student Government Association. In 2004, Brand was hired to FMU as assistant dean of students, and in 2018 was elevated to her current position as dean. The AAFSC Diversity Award is given annually by the coalition to highlight the work of individuals who are dedicated to celebrating diversity and inclusiveness at FMU and beyond. Thursday’s banquet was held at the FMU Freshwater Ecology Center. The Diversity Award presentation was just one highlight of the evening. Recipients of AAFSC-sponsored scholarships were also recognized, Florence City Councilman and FMU alum Chaquez McCall was the keynote speaker. FMU President Dr. Fred Carter announced the creation of a new scholarship named for Bishop Donald Jackson to benefit members of the Young Gifted and Blessed Choir. Jackson is the longtime advisor for the group and an FMU accountant. Carter also announced he would ask the FMU Board of Trustees to name the university’s Academic Computing Laboratory in honor of recently retired network administrator Teresa McDuffie. Both Jackson and McDuffie are founding members of the AAFSC. The AAFSC’s scholarships are funded jointly through the AAFSC and the Francis Marion University Education Foundation These include six endowed and four flow-through scholarships. Two FMU students benefiting from those endowments were recognized Thursday: Ma’kya Fitts, recipient of the Dr. Joseph E. Heyward Scholarship, and Jalen Miles, recipient of the Dr. LeRoy “Pete” Peterson Scholarship, were recognized during the ceremony.

If you are celebrating a positive achievement or have been awarded for a newsworthy accomplishment, email Heather Page at heather@vipmagsc.com.

Marion County Earns National Achievement Award For Amazing Grace Park

Amazing Grace Park has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. NACo recognized Amazing Grace Park in the Parks & Recreation Department. Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinckney Memorial was established to memorialize the life of the late Reverend Senator Clementa Pinckney and the other victims of the Emanuel 9 slaying in Charleston, 2015. The park celebrates the legacy of Clementa Pinckney, promotes healthy lifestyles and communities, respects stewardship of resources, and creates sustainable economic benefits. The park features accessible seating areas and facilities, native flowers and foliage, exercise opportunities, and educational playground and musical equipment suitable for neurodivergent learners. The grounds provide a venue for gatherings, festivals, concerts, weddings, and local activities. The park lends an educational arm to the community and surrounding areas. Students, tourists, and learners of all ages can learn about the foliage at the park with upcoming QR coded signage throughout. Visitor groups are welcome to visit the grounds to enjoy a quiet moment of reflection, a picnic under the pavilion, or exercise around the quarter mile walking trail. Park manager, Stephanie Gamoneda said “Amazing Grace Park is really a shining star in Marion County. We are fortunate to have an amenity such as this to add to the quality of life in Marion. Every single day, visitors are enjoying this park that memorializes the life of the late Senator Clementa Pinckney and I think he would be proud of how it has brought our community together.” NACo President Larry Johnson said, “All across the country, counties are working tirelessly to support residents and drive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's Achievement Award-winning programs showcase how counties work every day to build healthy, safe and thriving communities.” Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

GlamMama's Boutique Holds Ribbon Cutting in Downtown Marion

Another HMRA Sign Grant is in the books! Thank you to Marion County Healthcare Foundation for their continued support of our grant program, Steve Pool of Accent Signs for working his magic, and GlamMama’s Boutique for investing in Marion!

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes Carolina Pines’ achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital. “Obtaining an “A” letter grade from the Leapfrog Group illustrates the dedication our facility has to delivering quality care to our patients,” said Bill Little, CEO at Carolina Pines. “We are pleased that our commitment to excellent patient care and safety has been recognized by Leapfrog, and our patients can rest assured knowing that they will receive high-quality healthcare at our facility.” The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. “As our health care system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of Carolina Pines for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire health care workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.” To see Carolina Pines’ full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.