“I look back on the old Masters highlights and I watched some things that I’ve done, and I’ve learned from those experiences. It’s taken me time and years of seeing what’s worked well and what hasn’t.”
Phil Mickelson, American Golfer

As health care professionals at McLeod, we have responded to the mission of caring for people. For most of us, it is not a job, but a vocation and a calling. Part of our responsibility in providing the very best experience to our patients and their families is by also mentoring and teaching others to render excellence in medical treatment. Teaching new generations to carry the torch of compassion and fostering the commitment to excellence is supported by sharing the lessons learned in our daily work.

For the past four years, McLeod has hosted an internship for medical students from May through July, a concept developed by Dr. Alva Whitehead. This fellowship for rising second year medical students is funded by the McLeod Foundation. It has been used as both a learning tool for physicians in training as well as recruitment for the future by McLeod.

Currently, five medical students are spending their summer vacation at McLeod Regional Medical Center receiving an insider’s view of how a hospital works. This six-week internship, which ends in July, is often the first experience in a hospital for many of these students.

Dr. Bryon Frost in the Emergency Department demonstrates how to insert an airway tube to the medical students visiting McLeod this summer.

Members of the 2011 McLeod Medical Student Fellowship are:
Abigail Case, USC School of Medicine
David Giovannini, USC School of Medicine
Ashley Greeson, USC School of Medicine
Roopa Varadarjan, Medical University of South Carolina
Brian Williams, USC School of Medicine

The internship includes rotations through the Family Medicine Residency Program, Rapid Improvement Events, a two-week Surgery segment with Dr. Michael Rose, and visits to different areas in the hospital such as the Emergency Department, the Lab, Radiology, Critical Care Units, and Radiation Oncology. The students also round with physicians, administrators, hospitalists and nursing directors and attend meetings of the Cancer Conference Board, IRB, and Quality and Safety during their fellowship.

Summer Medical Student David Giovannini (center) observes Dr. Al Gilpin during surgery.

Thanks to all our teams who have supported this time of instruction and interaction. Good luck to these students as they continue on their educational journey.

Thanks,
Rob

On Monday, I was given the opportunity to speak at the Rotary Club in Cheraw, South Carolina.  Rotary is a service oriented group of community leaders.  McLeod Board Member Crawford Moore called me with the invitation to speak about McLeod Health. 

Prior to the Rotary meeting on Monday, Crawford wanted to show me the work of local citizens at the Mercy In Me Free Medical Clinic. I met Dr. Gabe Simpson who volunteers in the clinic when he is not working in the emergency room of the local hospital. At Mercy In Me Clinic, I also met with Kappie Griggs, RN and John Goodwin, who also volunteer their time and expertise for the clinic, which is staffed and supported by all volunteers. I was impressed with the spirit of caring I observed in those who volunteer to help others and serve the special needs in the clinic.

The Mercy In Me Free Medical clinic was established to offer relief to those who find themselves without heath insurance. By providing screening, medications, and a heathy dose of God’s love and compassion, Mercy In Me Free Medical Clinic will provide free, quality health care to the uninsured, while protecting each patient’s dignity and self-respect.

Click on this link to see the safety net service being provided to people in Cheraw, http://www.mercyinme.org/

A special McLeod Cardiology program will be held on Tuesday, June 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the McLeod Medical Plaza Auditorium, led and moderated by Dr. Conyers O’Bryan.  The  medical lectures will honor the late Dr. N.B. Baroody.

The evening program features a presentation by Michael L. Craig,, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Congestive Heart Failure and the Transplantation Division of Cardiology, at the Medical University of South Carolina. His topic, Refractory Congestive Heart Failure, targets the program objectives that participants should be able to successfully identify arrhythmias; institute a proper program from the anticoagulation aspect, as well as complete medical care; and understand pharmacologic instrumentation treatment of congestive heart failure, including the evaluation and etiology.

Also on the program are Physicians on the Medical Staff of McLeod Regional Medical Center.  Rajesh Malik, M.D., an Electrophysiologist with Pee Dee Cardiology Associates will focus on Atrial Fibrillation, and Ian D. Smith, M.D., an Interventional Cardiologist with Advanced Cardiology Consultants will present Successful Anticoagulation and Current Data. CME credit will be provided for this McLeod Health activity.

The late Dr. N.B. Baroody, Jr.

The event title honors Dr. N. B. Baroody, Jr. (1924-2010), a cardiologist and internal medicine physician who cared for patients for 55 years. He served on the McLeod Medical Staff in private practice during that time and later as a preceptor and physician with the McLeod Family Medicine Center from 1989 to 2010, providing leadership and educational support as a part of the teaching faculty for the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program.  Dr. Baroody’s influence on residents, physicians, and hospital staff serves as a lasting legacy to the community.  

A co-founder of Mercy Medicine Clinic, Dr. Baroody is remembered as a skilled and compassionate caregiver, a dedicated medical missionary, and an experienced and gifted photographer, who published two books of artwork and spiritual reflections: In Search of His Image, a Photographic Journey in 2007, and The Unexpected Visitor in 2010. He was a great mentor and friend, explained Dr. O’Bryan.

Dr. Conyers O'Bryan, Jr.

I want to thank Dr. O’Bryan for his leadership in facilitating this program, as well as recognize his many years of dedication to the medical profession, medical education and commitment to excellence in patient care.  We also appreciate Drs. Craig, Malik and Smith for participating in the program.  The lecture series is open to the Medical Staff and interested clinicians.

Thanks,
Rob Colones

McLeod Children’s Hospital is one of 170 children’s hospitals in North America that comprise the ‘Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ (CMNH), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for its members.  Each year, these non-profit hospitals treat more than 17 million children afflicted with disease, injuries and birth defects of every kind by providing the finest in medical care, life-saving research and preventative education.

At McLeod in 2010, more than 22,700 children received much needed care from McLeod Children’s Hospital either as an inpatient, outpatient or rehabilitation patient.

This year marks the 24th annual McLeod ‘Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Broadcast’, which celebrates the successes of year round fund-raising and friend-raising for children receiving care as part of the McLeod Children’s Hospital.  These victories are made possible by families who give love and hope, McLeod physicians, nurses and ancillary staff who provide excellent care and treatment, and donors at every level who make charity care and vital equipment purchases possible.

WBTW News 13 will broadcast live from the McLeod Children’s Hospital Child Life Activity Center on Saturday, June 4, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. We are grateful for WBTW’s support of this important effort for children.  The broadcast serves to recognize the support of local groups and organizations as well as 75 national corporate sponsors who work year round for the children served at McLeod Children’s Hospital. One hundred percent of the money raised during the broadcast also remains at the McLeod Children’s Hospital to treat children in this region.

Four McLeod Children have also been selected to represent the amazing spirit of many that is so evident in the children who overcome physical and emotional challenges — at times greater than many adults ever face. This year the children representing many include:

Two-year-old twin girls Sophia and Isabella Topalian of Florence. While nearly 150,000 sets of twins are born each year, less than one percent of them are monoamniotic twins, like the Topalian girls. Monoamniotic twins share one amniotic sack. This situation places the babies at high risk for their umbilical cords to become entangled which could result in cord compression and possible demise. Sophia and Isabella’s mother, Kim Topalian, spent 53 days in the Antepartum Unit at McLeod so that physicians could monitor her pregnancy. Born at just 32 weeks, the twins spent almost two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) under the supervision of McLeod Neonatologists, including Dr. Steve Bridges.

Five-year-old Ainsley Jordan of Myrtle Beach. Less than one year ago during a routine doctor’s visit, Ainsley’s elevated blood sugar levels resulted in her pediatrician immediately sending Ainsley and her family to the McLeod Children’s Hospital for hospitalization. Ainsley was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes by Pediatric Endocrinologist Dr. Pamela Clark of McLeod Pediatric Subspecialists. Dr. Clark instantly developed a relationship with Ainsley and her parents, Christina and Steve Jordan, to help the entire family cope with this condition Ainsley will have during her life. Today, Ainsley and her parents are able to manage her disease on a daily basis through blood sugar checks, insulin shots, and a balanced diet.

Ten-year-old Triston “Kane” Davis of Cheraw. On a Monday morning back in February, Kane woke up covered in a rash of blisters from head to toe similar to third degree burns. His pediatrician diagnosed him with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, likely the result of an allergic reaction he was experiencing to a sulfa antibiotic he had been prescribed four days earlier for an infection. Kane’s doctor instructed his mother, Mandy, to take Kane to the McLeod Children’s Hospital immediately. Upon admission, a team of physicians including Dr. Ramesh Bharadwaj, Dr. Judith Ugale, Dr. Carl Chelen and Dr. Isam Zakhour confirmed Kane’s diagnosis. He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where he spent the next few weeks receiving more acute care to decrease the duration of his severe, painful symptoms.

These children represent so many other young people and families who are treated at the McLeod Children’s Hospital every year. Each child and their family needed the special care and comfort found only in a hospital just for them. Thanks to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, McLeod Children’s Hospital, and the generous support of the community and McLeod Health employees, these youngsters have beat the odds.

Thanks for all you do in helping to make these challenges into victories.

Rob

Donations to McLeod Children’s Hospital can be made during the CMNH Celebration Broadcast on WBTW News 13 by calling 777-GIVE (4483) or toll free at 1-866-668-4862 or by visiting the McLeod Foundation website at www.mcleodfoundation.org and clicking on the CMNH icon for an online submission.

To Our McLeod Team,

Everyday, McLeod Health employees interact with patients, physicians and each other.  Our vision is to be ‘the Choice for Medical Excellence.’ For us that means that in the eyes of patients, physicians and our team, we will strive for being the Choice for Medical Excellence.  We want to measure the vision so that our goals will reflect an effort to improve the effectiveness of this vision. We want to measure the attitude and perception of our people’s work for McLeod Health because it will have a direct effect on the quality of care we provide.

In order to have a better understanding of our team’s job satisfaction and the issues that are important, McLeod Health is conducting an Employee Opinion Survey, focusing on our staff perceptions of service, quality, internal support and communication, among other topics.

For this year’s Employee Opinion Survey, we continue to contract with independent, outside firm Professional Research Consultants (PRC).  This firm works solely with hospitals and health care systems and specializes in opinion research and development plans.  They are involved in patient and employee research for hundreds of hospitals across the nation. This process allows us the opportunity to compare ourselves and previous satisfaction results by tracking historical responses to the questions.  As well, we can measure our effectiveness with other hospitals across the nation in order to direct our improvement efforts this year.  Responses to this Internet-based questionnaire are totally confidential, convenient and easy and should require only ten to 15 minutes to complete.

The single most important asset of McLeod Health is our people.  As a member of McLeod Health, you make a unique and highly valued contribution to the overall success of our organization. Listening to what you have to say and anticipating your needs is a very important part of achieving our success. We want your opinions.  We want to be the Choice for Medical Excellence in your eyes, hands and hearts of service.

Thanks,
Rob

On Wednesday evening, “A Washington Update: The American Medical Association Perspective” was hosted by McLeod Health for physicians and their spouses. Additionally, members of the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and Administration and the Florence County Medical Society were among the 120 attendees at this special opportunity to get insight on the national health care environment.

The keynote address was delivered by Cecil B. Wilson, M.D., President of the American Medical Association (AMA).

Dr. Cecil Wilson, President of the American Medical Association, offered insight on the national health care environment.

An internist from Winter Park, Florida, Dr. Wilson became the 165th President of the American Medical Association in June of 2010. He has been a member of the AMA Board of Trustees since 2002, serving as Chair from 2006 to 2007. He has also been a member of the AMA House of Delegates since 1992, and was previously elected to two terms as a member of the AMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws, of which he also served as Vice Chair.

McLeod Chief Medical Officer Dr. Coy Irvin has served on AMA committees and was instrumental in bringing the topical overviews to McLeod Health.

As a continuing medical education program, the objectives of the evening included identifying ways that physicians can better position themselves for market and discuss regulatory changes that have not yet taken place.

During his remarks, Dr. Wilson encouraged the attendees to educate themselves on the proposed changes in healthcare and to use the AMA website as a resource. AMA is currently lobbying to correct issues from their perspective with the Affordable Care Act.

“It is important that we work together and have one voice to make these changes the best they can be for physicians and patients,” said Dr. Wilson.

Dr. Wilson underscored the role of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). An ACO refers to a group of providers and suppliers of services (hospitals, physicians, and others involved in patient care) with a goal of delivering seamless, high quality care for Medicare beneficiaries. He added that the AMA believes there are six criteria essential to the success of Accountable Care Organizations:
1. They must be physician led.
2. Participation by physicians and patients should be voluntary.
3. This can not be a one size fits all approach.
4. Physicians in small rural practices need to receive financial and technical assistance.
5. Existing anti-trust laws must be reformed.
6. We must utilize quality measures that are physician driven.

Dr. Wilson added that on the AMA website there is a how to manual for physicians to navigate a post reform world. He also provided the physicians with a resource on the Affordable Care Act to share with their patients (www.healthcareandyou.org) which is updated regularly and written in concise, easy to understand language.

Rich Deem, Senior Vice President of Advocacy for the American Medical Association, also addressed those in attendance with a Report on the Budget. He noted that “we are not going to solve it all or balance the budget on the backs of providers. We must bring patients into the conversation and provide incentives to them in the areas of preventive care.”

We are always pleased to share and receive information that provides us with more ideas on how to improve the quality and coordination of care for the patients we serve.

Thanks,
Rob

McLeod Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy D. Hess as Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Training for the organization, effective upon Mrs. Jeannette Glenn’s retirement on April 29, 2011. 

In speaking with Jeannette about Tim’s appointment, she said, “I am very excited and pleased that Tim will be appointed as my successor.  He is an outstanding and knowledgeable professional.  Tim exudes creativity, a sense of humor, openness to change, respect for others and, most of all, has a huge servant’s heart.  I can leave my McLeod family feeling very confident that they are in the best of hands with Tim at the helm.”

As a Senior Vice President, Tim will be a member of the Leadership Council at McLeod Health.  In this capacity, he will lead the creation of the strategic management plan for Human Resources.  He has outstanding skills and experience in the functions of Human Resources, with more than two decades of service in this specialty, an essential connection to the culture of McLeod Health and a passion for the people who serve our patients and their families. 

Tim joined the McLeod family in March of 1992 as the Manager of Compensation and Benefits.  He was promoted to Director of Compensation and Benefits in June of 1994. He carried out this role in an outstanding manner helping to make very positive differences for McLeod Health until his departure in June 2002, to accept a position with Saint Thomas Health Services in Nashville, Tennessee. Tim gained further experience and expertise in management and operations, serving as the Director of Compensation and Benefits and was later promoted to Vice President of Human Resources Operations.

Tim returned to McLeod Health in February of 2006, as Associate Vice President of Human Resources.  His responsibilities included the management of compensation and benefits for McLeod Health employees, the Human Resources Information Systems and providing leadership to the Recruiting Team.

Tim received a BSBA in Industrial Relations from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.  He is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) through World at Work, a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) through the Society of Human Resources Management, and he has served as Facilitator for the McLeod Financial Peace University.  He continues to advocate for programs to support work-life balance and wellness for our staff and medical professionals through new programs and services in Human Resources.

Tim lives in Florence with his wife, Georgia, and their son, Carney, age eight.

Please join me in congratulating Tim on this promotion.

Thanks,
Rob

This past Thursday evening, McLeod Health hosted a unique event to celebrate the work of our McLeod Human Motion Specialists program and the exciting growth ahead. McLeod Human Motion Specialists brings together the medical specialists and practitioners who treat muscular and skeletal issues resulting from injury, illness or aging.

We were pleased to have a special guest and speaker join us in the celebration, Eric Heiden, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and a United States Olympic gold medalist. His engaging presentation reflected on key people in his life who moved him to higher pursuits and were an inspiration, as well as  his past experiences as a “champion.”  He highlighted his passion for modeling “fit” behavior and underscored the need for our culture to embrace the need to fight the growing crisis of obesity and overweight by focusing on physical activity and nutrition. “The negative results of a sedentary population is all around each of us,” he told the crowd.    

Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Heiden, M.D., at left, served on a panel discussion during the McLeod Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Conference. Other panelists seen with Dr. Heiden included Dr. Pat Denton with Pee Dee Orthpaedics and Dr. Brian Blair with McLeod Orthopaedics.

Dr. Eric Heiden is a true American sports icon. He has earned more medals in a single Olympics than any previous Olympic athlete and has set 15 world records in his speed skating career. At the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games, he won the Gold in all five speed skating events and set four Olympic records and one world record.

After retiring from speed skating, Dr. Heiden began a second career in cycling. He won a United States Cycling Championship and competed with the 7-11 team in the 1986 Tour de France.

By 1991, Dr. Heiden had earned his medical degree from Stanford University and was ready to begin his third career as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. In 2006, Dr. Heiden and his wife, Dr. Karen Heiden, relocated to Park City, Utah, and after working extensively with The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH), established their own orthopedic practice. Dr. Heiden is also the Co-founder of the University of California Davis Sports Performance Program, and the author of “Faster, Better, Stronger.”

“I am proud of the collective work being done here at McLeod, the work to be proactive and committed to both prevention and treatment processes,” said Dr. Heiden.

One of the goals of McLeod Human Motion Specialists is to offer a seamless delivery of care to all orthopedic and spine patients. Through the consolidation of adult therapy, patients will soon have complete and convenient access to all of their therapeutic needs in one location.

The adult outpatient therapy services of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, work recovery, sports medicine and the Occupational Therapy Hand Center will be housed together in one location on the McLeod Wellness Campus, adjacent to the McLeod Health and Fitness, scheduled to open in June.We look forward to being able to provide convenient access and to continue our outstanding care to the patients we serve.

We were appreciative of  Dr. Heiden’s visit to our community and McLeod and his participation both in our Thursday night reception and our day long annual Orthopedic Conference on Friday. There were more than 150 attendees, and 34 physicians from 13 counties at the educational program. Dr. Heiden’s address at both events was extremely meaningful and very well received by all.

Thanks to all who attended these special programs and to all who made the events possible.

Thanks
Rob

This month has provided us with a chance to honor our McLeod Health professionals who have been recognized for their exceptional professional service and skills. I had the chance to see Dr. Ed Behling receive the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Physician of the Year Award at the McLeod Regional Medical Center Medical Staff March meeting.

Edward Behling, M.D., of Medical Plaza Family Medicine has been awarded the annual South Carolina Physician Award for Outstanding Service by the state DHEC.

“Dr. Behling has partnered with DHEC since early in his medical career when he began seeing patients referred to him by the health department,” said DHEC Commissioner Earl Hunter. “More recently, his practice was the first in the area to work with us to increase the region’s level of pandemic flu preparedness.

According to Hunter, Medical Plaza Family Medicine was an early provider of the H1N1 vaccine and treated many patients during the response.

“Dr. Behling’s interest in public health and his influence on his staff and colleagues regarding its importance is evident in how quickly his practice responds to public health issues like disease outbreaks,” Hunter said. “During a recent outbreak of whooping cough that involved several Florence schools, he handled a large number of the cases. And throughout that response, his ongoing communication with DHEC and the community helped to lessen the impact and spread of this disease.”

Hunter said the criteria for the award include length of service, personal qualities, and accomplishments or activities that are consistent with outstanding service by a physician.

Dr. Behling is a board certified family medicine physician, and cares for patients at Medical Plaza Family Medicine, a McLeod Physician Associates practice. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed a family medicine residency at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

I would also like to note that Anita Logan of the McLeod Diabetes Center was recognized as the Certified Diabetes Educator of the Year by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Anita was presented with the DHEC Award on Saturday, March 12 at the 9th Annual Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke Winter Symposium in Myrtle Beach.

The award recognizes a certified diabetes educator who has made a special contribution to diabetes education through dedication and innovation in the daily practice of patient care. Anita is a registered dietician and CDE at McLeod Diabetes center where she has worked since its opening in 1999.

“Anita is a valued employee and truly deserves recognition for her dedication and commitment to improving the health of the diabetes population in the Pee Dee Region of our State,” says Marilyn Henderson, Coordinator of the McLeod Diabetes Center. “She is a true diabetes champion and her clients often tell us how much they enjoy their visits with her.” 

The McLeod Diabetes Center has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina for meeting national and state standards of diabetes education. It is also the only accredited center in the Pee Dee Region recognized by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. The Diabetes Center offers an extensive range of patient services including outpatient diabetes self-management education, individual and group education classes, free support groups, and coordination with Women’s Health Services. The staff includes three Certified Diabetes Educators and one who is Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management.

Another tribute to excellence in the health care profession was extended to Chireen Hyler, a McLeod nurse and educator.

Chireen was recently awarded the Outstanding Educator of the Year honor by the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC), during the SC AHEC Annual Meeting.

“It is with great pride and gratitude that Chireen Hyler is awarded this honor to recognize her efforts in providing quality education to our state,” said Dr. David R. Garr, Executive Director of SC AHEC.

Chireen serves as a crew chief for the McLeod HeartReach Critical Care Transport Team. She concurrently serves as a faculty member for the Nursing Program at Francis Marion University and as a Continuing Education Instructor for Pee Dee AHEC and the three other regional AHEC Centers throughout the state. Chireen has educated thousands of students in some manner during her 25-year nursing career.

She was nominated by the Pee Dee AHEC staff who received several letters of support from throughout the Pee Dee Region. These letters stemmed from a myriad of healthcare professionals who have been impacted by Hyler’s educational endeavors.

Chris Davis,  Emergency Services Nurse Manager with Williamsburg Regional Hospital, stated in his letter, “Chireen is one of the best nurses, educators, and role models available. She has become my friend, my confidant, my ‘go-to’ person and my mentor.”

Ann Flynn, a registered nurse with Conway Hospital, added, “Chireen is very knowledgeable and can always share with her audience real situations that they can apply in their everyday practice. She uses creative ways to help her students remember the order of assessments, medications, etc. This is demonstrated by the competency achieved by students following her classes not just in results of a post-test, but in their daily practices.”

We want to thank these three medical professional for the daily work they do on behalf of patients, families and staff. It is an honor for them to be recognized by these organizations for their outstanding service to others. They are models of professional excellence

Thanks
Rob

The end of this week will mark a bittersweet milestone for one of our faithful and discerning physician leaders, as well as for our organization.

Dr. Charles M. Jordan retires from his service to McLeod Health on March 31, 2011. He leaves a legacy of  physician engagement, wisdom and a tireless work ethic. He is a champion for children and challenges and has advocated for healthy lifestyles in his more than three decades of medical leadership to both McLeod and the community.

A graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Jordan completed a residency at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. Moving to Florence with his family in 1977, Dr. Jordan built a career in pediatrics and management, guided by his compassion for others.

Dr. Jordan, in one of his numerous appearances in the McLeod Magazine over the years, related this in a story that reflects his tenderness in the treatment of patients. 

    “I think the main thing I try to be is a friend to the children I see. If I am their friend, they know they can be open with me and trust me with their care.” 
     A humorous story Dr. Jordan remembers concerns a little boy he set up to go to Charleston for a growth hormone evaluation and treatment. As they were getting ready to leave, the child turned to his mother and said, “Don’t you think we ought to go out and buy some new clothes” fearing his growth would take place immediately. “This story is typical of a child’s innocence, but aside from the humor, seeing families through a crisis is a major part of what we do.”
     His best prescription for children? “Love them.”
     McLeod Magazine 1990

Dr. Jordan, the husband of the late Susan Hope Jordan, is the father of two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren. In addition to his devotion to his family, he provided pediatric care to children in Florence for 28 years, as a beloved partner in the practice of Florence Pediatrics. During his career at McLeod, Dr. Jordan was instrumental in developing the McLeod Children’s Hospital as well as the McLeod Health & Fitness Center, recruiting skilled physicians to the region and providing critical insights both clinically and operationally.

As a leader, Dr. Jordan has served as Medical Director of the McLeod Children’s Hospital from 1988 to 1996, Chief of Staff for McLeod Regional Medical Center from 1989 to 1991, and Medical Director of the McLeod Health & Fitness Center from 1996 to 1998. In addition, Dr. Jordan served as Senior Vice President of McLeod Physician Associates (MPA) from 1998 to 2009 as well as Medical Director of MPA from 2009 to the present.

We have all been enriched by the opportunity to work with Dr. Jordan and will continue to seek his counsel if the needs arise as our Medical programs grow to meet the needs of our community and the patients we serve. His vision for improving the health of our community will continue to guide us well into the future.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jordan for his many years of service. We extend our gratitude and best wishes to him in his retirement.

Thanks,

Rob