ED CASE
Presbyterian Hospital
by Bob Barber

     The regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Charlotte was called to order by new president Tom Robertson. Paul Solitario introduced visitors and guests and Harley Dickson provided an intellectual assessment of the role of Health and Happiness in the club. Harley reminded us to take time to care for our health lest we be like the mechanic who is too busy to take care of his tools. But he quoted Mark Twain’s caution about reading health books…”you may die from a misprint.” On the role of humor in happiness, he noted that laughter is the shortest path between two people. He quoted Oscar Wilde that “There are two kinds of people: those who leave happiness wherever they go and those who leave happiness whenever they go.” Thence goeth Harley.
John Lassiter updated the club on the plans for the “Inaugural 9/11 Scholarship Golf Classic,” to be hosted by the club on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at the Raintree Country Club. Sponsorships are available and the proceeds will go to the club’s Public Service Scholarship Fund.
The featured speaker was former member Edward B. Case, President and CEO of Presbyterian Health Care. Ed is a graduate of St. Louis University, is a CPA, and has served as the chief financial officer of the Mercy system in St. Louis and BJC Healthcare in St. Louis. Immediately prior to joining Presbyterian Health Care, Ed was chief operating officer and acting CEO of BJC Healthcare.
By a show of hands in response to several questions, Ed demonstrated that most of the audience had had some connection with Presbyterian Hospital in its first 100 years of service in Charlotte. He recounted that Charlotte was a community of about 18,000 residents in 1903 and that the state of healthcare was pretty primitive by today’s standards. There were no antibiotics, cotton bandages were washed and reused, and syringes were reused and sharpened on a stone “when necessary.” Presbyterian Hospital started when a group of physicians bought the Charlotte Private Hospital. In the same year, the hospital leaders had the foresight to also establish a nursing school, so both the hospital and the nursing school are celebrating 100 years in Charlotte.
Ed reviewed some of the many achievements in the hospital’s first 100 years, including the growth of a highly recognized medical staff, the development of Presbyterian Orthopedic Hospital, a “Level Three” neonatal intensive care that is capable of helping a 10.4 ounce newborn survive, and the development of Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, which is now the most successful hospital in the Novant Health system. He reviewed some of the future plans and vision of the hospital, including the building of a new Womens’ Center (on top of the parking structure), the impending opening of a fully staffed pediatric emergency room, and construction of a hospital in Huntersville. He also discussed the plans, working with Grubb Properties, on the redevelopment of Elizabeth Avenue, “the front door of Presbyterian Hospital.” Upon completion, Elizabeth Avenue will be returned to the vibrant residential and commercial center of prior years with the development of office, retail, and residential space as well as a 150 room hotel.

Ed responded to questions about “boutique” medical care—“a trend that will not become large enough to affect access to care,” the challenges of malpractice reform—“the trial lawyers will win that fight,” the cost of healthcare—“being driven by the cost of supplies and new technology,” the healthcare paperwork burden—“due to federal requirements and malpractice exposure,” and a medical school for Charlotte—“the largest city between New York and Atlanta without a medical school.”

Head Table: Tom Robertson, Chuck Hoch, Byron Bullard, Tim Newman, Peggy Wesp, John Phillips; Invocation: Jody Morris
Visitors & Guests: Paul Solitario; Health & Happiness: Harley Dickson; Song: David Erdman
 

2003-04 RI Theme

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New Member

Emmy Lou J. Burchette emmylouburchette@aol.com


Classification: Consulting Marketing 704-367-9580
Fax 704-367-9748
Burchette & Associates, Inc.
P. O. Box 12706 (28220)

     Emmy Lou Burchette is a long-time resident of NC, and hails from Greensboro, NC. She attended Salem College and the University of North Carolina where she graduated with a double major in English and Psychology. Her Honors research in psychology her senior year at Carolina led her to remain there for graduate school where she continued research in Human Learning. After earning her Masters degree, she lived in Raleigh and worked for the Research Triangle Institute as a Research Psychologist, where she conducted national-scale studies for the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In 1978, Emmy Lou moved to Charlotte to join what was then, First Union National Bank. Over an eighteen year career with the bank, Emmy Lou had the opportunity to play a number of different roles, leading to the position of Head of the Corporate Market Group. Emmy Lou also helped lead strategy development and implementation of over 60 mergers and acquisitions while at First Union. In 1996, Bill Grigg and Rick Priory asked Emmy Lou to join Duke Energy to help position their company for new ventures and to build new capabilities in marketing new business lines. In 1999, Emmy Lou formed Burchette & Associates, Inc., a firm specializing in strategic marketing and business consulting. You may see some of her current work in the Advantage Carolina initiatives for the Charlotte Region that she is managing in her role as President of the Advantage Carolina Foundation. Civic and community involvement are high on Emmy Lou’s list of activities. She has served in a variety of capacities from Board member to volunteer with the Mint Museum, Children’s Theatre, Boy Scouts, Christ Episcopal Church, Opera Carolina, Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Country Day School, Program, Women Executives, and the Junior League. Her fun time is spent gardening, sailing, fishing, and sharing travel adventures with her family. Emmy Lou is married to Bob Burchette, who is an attorney with Johnston, Allison & Hord, and they have a fourteen-year-old son, Carl.

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DID YOU KNOW ...

z    Benton Financial Advisors, Inc. (Rotarian Benton Bragg) was recognized in the Wall Street Journal for the performance of its two no-load mutual funds. In addition to managing the two mutual funds, Bragg provides comprehensive financial, estate and charitable planning advice and manages over $320 million for individual and institutional clients. .

z    Pick up the July issue of Greater Charlotte Biz magazine to learn how UNC Charlotte’s Jim Woodward turns working capital and human resources into top-notch intellectual capital. Jim is also featured on the magazine’s cover.

z Thomas Moore talks about patriotism in the Viewpoint section of this week’s Charlotte Observer.

z Mary Rinehart is featured in the June 27 issue of the Business Journal regarding her social conscious niche with financial investments.

z Sympathy is extended to Joe Becker and his family upon the death of Joe’s Father, Robert N. Becker, on June 27th.

z 1st quarter invoices are being mailed this week. Remember to update your database to the new address: 841 Baxter Street, Ste 118 (28202). There are several outstanding payments past due: Polio Eradication, Public Safety Scholarship, and 4th quarter dues. Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

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