More than 75 guests came together recently at The Scotland Cardiovascular Center for a two-part celebration.
The gathering wanted to celebrate the center’s first year and honor the memory of the late Chuck Hicks.
“We are here to celebrate,” said Kirsten Dean, executive director of Scotland Memorial Foundation. “To celebrate the first year of our wonderful new cardiovascular center, to celebrate your incredible generosity as you helped this to facility become a reality and to celebrate the memory of a true servant leader, not just of this health care system, but of our entire community.”
Greg Wood, Scotland Health Care System’s president, said that after Hick’s death last November, the Foundation and his friends wanted to offer the community additional ways to continue to give in his name. To date, in conjunction with the capital project, the memorial has received more than $60,000.
Charles L. “Chuck” Hicks, Jr. Memorial will now assist cardiovascular patients in need with items such as scales for daily weight monitoring, blood pressure monitors, medication and travel assistance, and educational materials. About 80 percent of patients served in the Cardiovascular Center need financial assistance in some way.
“There’s no one who had more integrity than Chuck Hicks,” Wood said. “I’ve worked with dozens of trustees, had at least a dozen terrific board chairmen, but without a doubt there’s been no one who’s been more of a servant leader than Chuck Hicks. Tonight we create a permanent visual memory of him.”
Hicks was a member of the Health Care System trustee board from 2002 through 2010, serving as the Board Chairman from 2006 through 2007. In addition, he served on the Executive Committee from 2003 to 2007. Upon the completion of his chairmanship in 2007, he led the task force to determine the future independence of the Health Care System. This task force’s findings led to the decision to enter into a management agreement with Carolinas Healthcare System.
The Chuck Hicks portrait, which was painted by his sister-in-law Allison McLean, was unveiled during the event. It will hang in the hospital along with the permanent board which recognizes those who contributed to the Charles L. “Chuck” Hicks initial memorial fund.
Charles Hicks, Chuck’s oldest son, echoed Wood’s praise of his father.
“I could talk all day about my dad but I couldn’t say it any better than Mr. Wood,” he said. “Thank you for supporting my family and for being here tonight.
Center anniversary
Betty Hasty, chair of the Cardiovascular Center Initiative and Scotland Health Care System board member, said the community has helped raise $1.3 million for the project.
“When we embarked on the journey to build this center, we knew that the folks here have a long history of generously supporting projects which help the community,” she said. “We knew we had a really strong need for this center and we knew you would support a project which would save lives in our community. Your heart is in the right place and we thank you from the bottom of ours.”
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