Thirty years ago, a small but dedicated group of community leaders and physicians passionate about the health of central Virginia joined forces to serve on the inaugural board of the Centra Foundation. Their vision, and the generosity of donors, has transformed healthcare for people in our region.
When Jimmy Davidson Jr. agreed to serve as the inaugural board chair of the Centra Foundation, he did so as someone passionate about central Virginia and with the aim of supporting Centra in improving the health of our local communities.
“The hospitals play an important role in the community, not just in providing hospital beds, but Centra Health has been a major force in trying to improve the way of life in central Virginia,” he said then.
A few things have changed in the past 30 years, including an expansion of services and facilities, but a few have also remained the same. Through your generosity, the Centra Foundation remains committed to helping our not-for-profit healthcare system improve the health of people in our communities.
“We are indebted to those leaders who laid the groundwork and ensured the success of the Foundation,” said Beth Doyle, executive vice president of the Centra Foundation. “Because of their efforts and the incredible generosity of our supporters we have provided over $100 million for Centra programs and transformed the healthcare experience for the more than 500,000 people in central Virginia who rely on our not-for-profit system each year.”
Below, three board chairs from different periods in the Foundation’s history share their perspective.
Building the Foundation
Jimmy Davidson Jr.
Centra Foundation Board Chair 1993-2003
Q: When was the first annual meeting of the board of directors? What do you remember about that meeting and forming the board?
A: The first annual meeting was in the auditorium in Lynchburg General in January of 93. Everyone was glad to serve and looked forward to it. We had a number of doctors for one thing. We had some real business leaders, some lawyers. They worked well together. We all had the same goal.
Q: What was one of the first orders of business?
A: One of the first things Fred [Cawthorne] did was to start an annual fund. And that has grown and prospered, and it has been sort of the basis of fundraising for the Foundation. I made a gift the first year … and I think I’ve given every year since. I just would tell people, give the money unrestricted and let the hospital put it to its very best use.
Q: What is one accomplishment that stands out in your mind?
A: They had a capital fund drive when they started building the [Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional] Cancer Center. And today we’ve got the Cancer Center. Not many communities the size of Lynchburg have a separate cancer center as we do.
Making an impact
George Hurt, MD
Centra Foundation Board Chair 2004-2016
Q: After 30 years, what can you say about the impact of donors and the Foundation?
A: The Foundation has been a really positive force in the provision of healthcare for this community. We’ve been able to raise for the support of Centra over $100 million over a period of time. And that has been critical.
Q: What stands out to you?
A: An example that I think we are pretty proud of is what we’ve been able to do with pediatrics. We raised money that was designated to go to support pediatrics and the pediatric units. And we were critical to the capital campaign that resulted in the construction of the East Tower [at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital] and the Cancer Center.
Q: What about in the community?
A: I’ve always said that if you really wanted to see what the Foundation has accomplished, you drive around town. The Community Health Network and the facility at Fifth and Federal is an example of that, where a need was identified in a particular part of the Lynchburg community and we could address that need. That was one of the major accomplishments, I think, what we were able to do there.
Embracing the future
Carolyn Jacques, M.Ed, RNC
Centra Foundation Board Chair 2020-Current
Q: Why have you enjoyed serving the community as chair of the board?
A: I was a Centra nurse most of my professional career. I had a wonderful career at Centra, and I had the opportunity – many opportunities – to come before the Centra Foundation board to request donor funding for special projects that were needed in Women & Children’s Services.
Q: What can you say about the groundwork laid by the inaugural board?
A: The inaugural board and the executive team at that time were true visionaries. So we need to applaud them and remember them.
Q: As a board member and community member, what are you excited about? How does the future look?
A: I am very excited about Centra’s growth and the Modernization Plan. And I’m also thankful that I get to enjoy the fulfillment and gratitude that I hear and witness. The future has never been brighter, in my opinion, for the Foundation and for Centra.