UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Golf Tournament Funds to Support Patient Communication Technology

By Heather Walters

The first-place team, pictured from left to right, were Lee Todd, Matt Deutschlander, Matthew Carter and Joey Bengtson.

Beautiful golf weather, over 100 golfers, and supportive sponsors, are just what the UNC Health Southeastern Foundation ordered for the 33rd Annual Swing for Good Health Golf Tournament held April 25 at Pine Crest Country Club. Golfers and sponsors raised over $26,000 with 20 teams competing for cash prizes, special hole prizes, and a hole-in-one opportunity sponsored by Lumberton Chevrolet Buick GMC Hummer.

Congratulations to the first-place team comprised of Lee Todd, Matt Deutschlander, Matthew Carter and Joey Bengtson. Second place went to Mike Chuchacz, Tommy Britt, Ryan Bass, and Allan Campbell, and third place was won by Larry McNeill, Donnie Beck, Greg Canady, and Ronnie Hunt.

Since 1991, the Swing for Good Health Golf Tournament has been the catalyst for the Horace E. Stacy, Jr., Academic Scholarship Endowment. This year, the funds will support patient communication technology. 

“The endowment’s support was driven by Mr. Stacy’s vision that nothing was more important than cultivating and encouraging the healthcare providers who make a commitment to our region,” said Foundation Executive Director Sissy Grantham. “The decades long financial assistance provided by golf tournament supporters has helped catapult the academic scholarship endowment program beyond its goal of $1 million dollars.”

Foundation Chair Ron Roach welcomed golfers with words of appreciation, “Your past support has us well prepared to support those who Mr. Stacy called ‘the most important aspect of our medical center’—our healthcare providers committing to our community and its care. Our community of supporters have ensured the financial assistance necessary to procure the providers UNC Health Southeastern requires for generations, through our Academic Scholarship Program. Now, the Foundation is looking to the future with funding priorities, ensuring UNC Health Southeastern has the tools they believe are essential by investing in communication in our healthcare environment, by integrating modernized patient whiteboards designed to improve patient communication, experience, coordination of care, and safety.”

The communication board, or “white board” as it is informally known, is a tool for communication between the patient, the patient’s family and the care team, as well as between care team members.

“Communication is at the forefront of nearly everything we do,” added UNC Health Southeastern President/CEO Chris Ellington. “In any healthcare environment, effective communication is key to keeping our care team properly informed and ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care, and their families feel more at ease and have a better understanding of the medical situation. We are thankful for the Foundation’s support and excited to see how this will support our patients and team members.”

Thanks to the UNC Health Southeastern Foundation Ace Sponsor, Revels Contracting Services, and all sponsors for a wonderful day of golf supporting UNC Health Southeastern.

“This event would not have been possible without the support of local sponsors, including both businesses and individuals,” added Grantham. “We are so appreciative of our generous sponsors and their ongoing commitment to our mission!”

The Ace Sponsor was Revels Contracting Service, Inc. Truist was the Food Sponsor. Food for the tournament was also donated by Jersey Mike’s of Lumberton and Canteen Vending. The Beverage Sponsors for the tournament were First Bank, Quik Print of Lumberton, and Robins & Morton. Beverages were donated by Healy Wholesale, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Lumbee Guaranty Bank, and Lumberton Chevrolet Buick GMC Hummer.  

The following were Hole Sponsors for the tournament: Carolina ID Consultants, P.C., Chapman Family Enterprises-McDonald’s, Clean World USA, Dairy Queen of Lumberton, Sissy Grantham, Jernigan’s of Lumberton, Jersey Mike’s of Lumberton, Lumbee Guaranty Bank, Mr. and Mrs. James Martin, Dr. DuBose Medlock, Doug and Renie Mills, Musselwhite, Musselwhite, Branch, & Grantham, Oliver Oil Company, RE/MAX Real Estate Exchange, K.A. Richardson Company, Dr. Joseph E. Roberts, Jr., Betty Hall Robinson, Sign City - Signs & Prints, State Farm Insurance/Josh Whitley, Steve Britt Lawn Care, Dr. and Mrs. Chris Walters, Mr. and Mrs. Coble D. Wilson, Jr., and Your Pie of Lumberton.

The following donors provided products and gifts for the tournament: Adelio’s, Arnold’s, Biggs Park Mall, Black’s Tire and Auto Service, Burns’ Millwright Services, Canteen Vending, Gracie’s, Happenings on Elm, Healy Wholesale, Inc., Jernigan’s, Jersey Mike’s of Lumberton, Lumbee Guaranty Bank, Lumberton Chevrolet Buick GMC Hummer, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Pine Crest Country Club Golf Course, State Farm - Josh Whitley, Tomlinson’s, and Thee She Shed.

Thank you to all the UNC Health Southeastern departments and team members who dedicated themselves to supporting the initiatives of the Foundation as we are Here for you. Here for good.

To learn more about the UNC Health Southeastern Foundation, call (910) 671-5583 or visit www.unchealthsoutheastern.org/foundation/.