DR. BETSY MERRELL IS PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR; CAROL ADAMS IS PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED AT ANNNUAL GALA ON SATURDAY
Pardee Hospital Foundation has named Dr. Betsy Merrell as Pardee Hospital’s Physician of the Year and Carol Adams as Philanthropist of the Year. The recipients were honored at the Foundation’s annual gala that was held at Blue Ridge Community College on Saturday, June 16.
The Pardee Foundation hosts the Gala each year to inspire community support for Pardee Hospital through insight into Pardee Hospital’s most recent achievements and recognition of physicians and philanthropists. The Physician of the Year Award is given to a Pardee physician whose career has been defined by medical excellence, dedication to compassionate patient care, and a commitment to improving the lives of people throughout the community.
Dr. Betsy Merrell was nominated by several of her patients for exemplifying such characteristics. Dr. Merrell joined the Pardee Medical Staff in 2009, initially as a hospitalist, and then as a Family Medicine Associate since 2011. A member of the North Carolina Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Practice and the NC Academy of Family Physicians, she has been very involved in the community and has served in leadership capacities, including President of the Henderson County Medical Society for two years. Dr. Merrell is known by her patients as devoted to improving their health, to sticking with them during difficult diagnoses, and to researching and learning as much as possible before making a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Carol Adams was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year. The Philanthropist of the Year award is presented to members of the community who have made outstanding contributions to
Pardee Hospital, to Pardee Hospital Foundation, and towards the improvement of community health care. Carol is a native North Carolinian who has been a volunteer since a young age. She joined the Women Helping Women Committee in the early years chairing the fundraising committee, then joined the Pardee Foundation Board in 2005 serving in various roles from Secretary to By-Laws and Nominating Committees to Co-Chair for the Capital Campaign for the Elizabeth Reilly Breast Center. After a brief hiatus from the foundation board, she rejoined the board in 2012 and will finish 6 years of devoted service with tireless commitment to Planned Giving, Generations and Annual Fund; chairing the Annual Fund Committee for the last two years.
“Dr. Betsy Merrell and Carol Adams are both fantastic representatives of our community,” said Kimerly Hinkelman, Pardee Hospital Foundation Executive Director. “Pardee Hospital is a better place because of them and we would not be able to provide the care our community deserves without these individuals. We thank them for making Pardee a better place with their gifts.”
The gala, which was held on June 16, brought in nearly 400 attendees and $132,376 in funding to benefit Pardee Hospital’s rapidly expanding cardiovascular program
