Rowan Regional Medical Center
Rowan Regional Medical Center was chartered in 1935 but opened its doors and began serving patients in 1936. Since that time, it has operated as a private, not-for-profit institution serving the people of Salisbury, Rowan County and outlying communities.

In over 75 years, the hospital’s mission has not changed - to improve the health of our community, one person at a time.

The forerunner of Rowan Regional was the Whitehead-Stokes Sanitarium, a private hospital that opened in 1898. In 1920, ownership of the facility was transferred to the public and its name was changed to Salisbury Hospital.

Salisbury Hospital was reorganized in 1932 and became known as Rowan General Hospital. At that time, construction also began for a larger, more modern facility at 612 Mocksville Avenue in Salisbury.

On December 1, 1995, Rowan Memorial Hospital changed its name to Rowan Regional Medical Center to reflect the regional market it serves and the services and technologies added to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers.

Merger With Novant Health System
As the Medical Center entered the 21st Century, declining reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies, coupled with the escalating costs associated with treating under- and uninsured patients, negatively affected Rowan Regional’s ability to expand the facility and services. As a stand-alone community hospital, Rowan Regional could not take advantage of the economy of scale that being part of a hospital system could bring.

During 2007, Medical Center leaders approached a number of other hospitals and organizations about possible partnerships. After considerable deliberation, Rowan Regional Medical Center Board of Directors entered into a partnership agreement with Novant Health. Novant’s philosophy of providing healthcare, its commitment to physicians and to the local community and governance of the Medical Center, supported Rowan’s own philosophy.

Rowan Regional Medical Center is still governed by a local board of directors consisting of community leaders, businessmen and representatives of the medical profession. The hospital medical staff includes 274 doctors and 79 allied health professionals including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse anesthetists who work together to provide a remarkable patient experience in every dimension, every time.

The medical center is licensed for 268 beds and is one of the largest employers in Rowan County.

Rowan Regional is fully accredited as a short-term general hospital by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is licensed by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources.

Since Rowan Regional is a private hospital, it receives no financial support from local tax dollars. Revenue from patient billing and insurance and Medicare reimbursements are generally not sufficient to meet day-to-day operational costs which include uncompensated costs. Helping find the financial support to bridge this gap and to provide for new facilities and services is the role of Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation.

Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation
Rowan Memorial Hospital (predecessor to Rowan Regional Medical Center) Foundation  was created in the fall of 1988 to lend a charitable hand to Rowan Memorial Hospital, coming to life in the shadow of rapidly rising health care costs.

Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation formed for the support of health care facilities and programs serving the people of Salisbury and Rowan County. The Foundation’s primary goal is to receive and administer charitable contributions for the benefit of Rowan Regional Medical Center and the people it serves.

In making the announcement of the formation of the Foundation, M. Earl Bullard, Director of the hospital said, “Because Rowan Memorial is a private hospital, we receive no financial support from local tax dollars. Our private status heightens the need for an organized and ongoing base of community support.”

The Foundation today plays an integral part in raising much needed funding for a variety of needs at the Medical Center including construction of new facilities, renovation of existing facilities, expansion of health care services, equipment, and programs.

Gifts to the Foundation are fully tax-deductible and will ensure the hospital’s continued ability to serve the people of this community.

In those first years, hospital officials began an active membership drive designed to boost community support and to serve as  vehicle for paying proper tribute to supporters.

The first Board of Directors included: Carroll T. Overton, President; E.A. Goodman, Jr., Vice President; Irvin Oestreicher, Secretary; Edward T. Taylor, Treasurer; W.A. Cline, M.D.; Paul E. Fisher; Gordon P. Hurley; Clarence Kluttz; Dwight F. Messinger; J.G. Rutledge, III; and Arnold H. Snider, Jr.

The first major event for the new Foundation was “An Evening with Bob Hope”, held at Keppel Auditorium on June 3, 1989. He delighted an audience of over 1,200 with jokes, songs, and dancing. Hospital Director M. Earl Bullard said “we gained a great deal in terms of community excitement and credibility for the Foundation.”

In February of 1990, at the retirement of M. Earl Bullard as Director of Rowan Memorial Hospital, John Campbell was named Director of the Foundation and James M. Freeman, new CEO joined the Foundation’s board. Campbell remained head of the Foundation until his death in December 1998. Bob Skelton served as Director from 2000 until 2009. Diane Hooper currently serves as the Foundation’s Director.

Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation Highlights

1991	The first annual Patron's Ball was held on September 21, 1991 at the Country Club of Salisbury. The theme was New Orleans/Mardi Gras. Over 200 guests attended and more than $18,000 in net proceeds were raised.
1994	Glen and Murial Kiser gave $1 million for pediatrics care. A separate Foundation board was formed with the following members: Christine Whitton, President; Rufus Honeycutt, Vice President; David Jordan, Sec/Treas.; James M. Freeman, Assist. Sec.; Chris Agner, M.D.; Earl Bullard; Wayne Cline, M.D.; Fred Dula, M.D.; Evelyn Harrison; John Henderlite; Marl Hudson; Glenn Ketner, Jr.; Glenn Kiser, M.D.; Susan Norvell; Wilson Smith; Ruben Speaks; Mary H.W. Woodson; and Jewel Ziprik. Smith Family makes $2 million gift for Outpatient Surgery Center. Center named in honor of Wilson L.Smith.
1995	President's Awards program was started. Initial recipients were Dr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Kiser, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson L. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Smith, Mrs. and Mr. Timothy R. Smith.
1996	First Golf Tournament was held in the spring. More than 100 golfers played at Corbin Hills and raised more than $21,000 in proceeds. Campaign for Tomorrow began with a $6.7 million goal. Hospice of Rowan County merges with Rowan Regional Medical Center and Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice was created. A Hospice Endowment was created within Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation to be used to fund Hospice programs and services. The Foundation continues to support Hospice fundraising efforts.
1997	Kiser Medical Office Building named in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Kiser. Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Kiser give $2 million to the Campaign for Tomorrow and the Kiser Medical Office Building was named in their honor.
2001	Heritage Society, made up of people who have included Rowan Regional Medical Center as beneficiary in their wills, trusts, gift annuities or insurance policies was formed. Charter members included: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bertram Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Buchanan Dr. and Mrs. Wayne A. Cline, Sr. Mr. Charles L. Dabbs Mr. Clayton F. Dawson Mrs. Evelyn F. Harrison Mr. and Mrs. John M. Henderlite, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hudson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Jones Dr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Kiser Mr. and Mrs. James W. Kluttz Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Kluttz Mr. and Mrs. William C. Kluttz, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin E. Lampert, Jr. Miss Mary Nicolson Mrs. Bert Oestreicher Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Overcash Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm J. Ryan Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Arnold H. Snider, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Elias A. Saleeby Mrs. Lizzie B. Spears Mrs. Ella Mae Cox Swicegood
2003	Partners in Progress Capital Campaign begins for new emergency department and patient tower. The Smith Family pledges a $3 million lead gift and issues a $2 million challenge to the Medical Center and Foundation boards toward $25 million goal.
2004	Construction begins on new ED and Patient Tower.
2005	Topping Out Ceremony held in July for new ED and Patient Tower. Partners in Progress Capital Campaign reaches $18.5 million.
2006	Campbell Golf Classic proceeds exceed $100,000 for first time. New Emergency Department and Patient Tower open in August.
2007	Partners in Progress Capital Campaign reaches $21.2M. Final Four (million) Campaign Announced. Smith Heart and Vascular Center opens, providing interventional cardiology services. Annual Patrons Ball proceeds exceed $150,000 for first time. Merger with Novant Health announced.
2008	Partners in Progress Capital Campaign exceeds goal with $26.3 million. Novant matches $1 million gift from Wilson L. Smith plus another $900,000+ in qualifying gifts to the Wilson Smith Challenge. Celebration held during annual Donor Appreciation Dinner. Foundation Board develops Strategic Plan. Hospice House Announced. Jeff Lindsay named new President of Rowan Regional Medical Center.
2009	Foundation announces Whitehead-Stokes Membership Society for donors of $5,000 or more, payable over a 5-year period. Dr. Glenn Kiser bequest of $15+ million to Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation, the largest single gift in the Foundation's history.
2010	Dari Caldwell named President of Rowan Regional Medical Center. Whitehead-Stokes Society closes out Charter Membership period with 51 members.
Charter members of the Whitehead-Stokes Society gathered for a gala dinner on August 26, 2010
	Whitehead-Stokes Society Charter Members Mr. and Mrs. Greg Alcorn Dr. Chetan and Hetal Amin Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Beaver, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David Caldwell Dr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Carlton, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. W. Summersett Carter Mr. and Mrs. David Clay Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Cook, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James Freeman Dr. and Mrs. Larry Gish Dr. and Mrs. Dennis L. Hill Ms. Diane Dillon Hooper Mr. and Mrs. Gordon P. Hurley Mrs. Glenn E. Ketner, Jr. Ms. Mary Anne Laningham Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Lindsay Mrs. Tippie Miller Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Norvell Mr. and Mrs. Risk D. Parker Dr. and Mrs. John O. Reynolds, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ritchie Mr. and Mrs. Darryel R. Scism Mr. and Mrs. Kenan Smith Mr. and Mrs. Wilson L. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Smith Mr. James G. Whitton Mr. and Mrs. Robert Young Julian Robertson, Sr. Family honored for extraordinary philanthropy during annual Donor Appreciation Dinner Annual Patrons Ball proceeds support Rowan Regional's new Breast Health Center.
2011	Groundbreaking held for new Rowan Hospice House. The Dreams Comes True A Campaign To Build The Hospice House For Rowan County capital campaign begins with a $7 million goal. The Kiser Fund is formed to grant a percentage of funds from the estate gift to Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Kiser to special needs at Rowan Regional Medical Center. Annual Patrons Ball celebrates it's 21st anniversary and the 75th anniversary of Rowan Regional Medical Center with an expanded event held at The Crystal Lounge on the Catawba College Campus. Proceeds supported at Sunroom in the new Rowan Hospice House.