BY MIKE FUHRMAN

Piedmont HealthCare recently honored 17 physicians who have retired during the past four years, including 10 founding partners.

The retirees, whose specialties ranged from dermatology to urology, had more than 480 years of combined service providing medical care to residents of Iredell County.

CEO Jeff Smith expressed his gratitude for their contributions to Piedmont HealthCare and the community they have served.

“In the fast-paced world of healthcare, it takes extraordinary individuals to build and work in a practice that stands the test of time,” he said. “Your dedication to excellence, compassion, and patient-centered care has set a standard that will continue to inspire us long after you step away from your roles as physicians.”

While honoring the retirees, company officials also celebrated Piedmont HealthCare’s journey over the past 27 years. A new history wall was unveiled during the ceremony and reception at PHC’s multi-specialty office on Old Mocksville Road in Statesville. The display spotlights the founding partners and highlights major company milestones.

The multi-specialty provider was established in 1996 as United Medical Group when Statesville Medical Group and Iredell Medical Associates merged. The company rebranded as Piedmont HealthCare the following year. After beginning with 55 doctors, PHC has grown to over 1,200 employees, including 113 physicians and 108 nurse practitioners/physician assistants.

During an interview, Smith said the medical group is striving to keep up with the rapid growth in Iredell County, which now has more than 200,000 residents and thousands of new homes in the pipeline.

“With the growth in this county, we’re really looking at a one-year plan,” he said. “A five-year plan is worthless. You’ve got to think about today.”

PHC administrators, he explained, are in regular contact with county and city leaders to learn where new housing developments are planned.

“We don’t want to have under-served areas,” Smith said. “We want everyone to have access to quality healthcare.”

Retirees

During Thursday evening’s event, PHC Chairman of the Board Dr. Joseph Moran also expressed his appreciation for the contributions and accomplishments of the recent retirees.

“Without you, this group would not exist or be the fantastic place it is to practice medicine,” he said.

The following Piedmont HealthCare physicians have retired during the past four years:

♦ Dr. Katie Collins, obstetrics-gynecology, 11 years;
♦ Dr. Alan Deddens, otolaryngology, 27 years;
♦ Dr. Gary DeWeese, cardiology, 10 years;
♦ Dr. Byron Dunaway, orthopedic surgery, 30 years;
♦ Dr. Ronel Enrique, otolaryngology, 30 years;
♦ Dr. James Foushee, internal medicine, 33 years;
♦ Dr. James Foxworthy, general surgery, 28 years;
♦ Dr. Lu Anne Gatlin, internal medicine, 18 years;
♦ Dr. Bruce Harris, general surgery, 36 years;
♦ Dr. Tink Johnson, urology, 35 years;
♦ Dr. Heather Kompanik, family medicine, 15 years;
♦ Dr. James McNabb, family medicine, 21 years;
♦ Dr. Robert Reindollar, gastroenterology, 45 years;
♦ Dr. Stephen Rosser, general surgery; 31 years;
♦ Dr. Stephen Scheibner, dermatology, 32 years;
♦ Dr. Michael Schlesinger, urology, 28 years; and
♦ Dr. Paul Swaney, general surgery, 36 years