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First Bank: A Partner in Health and Wellness for the Community

As the presenting sponsor of this year’s Women Helping Women (WHW) Annual Luncheon, First Bank exemplifies the power of community partnership. For three years, First Bank has supported WHW, a Pardee Hospital Foundation initiative that raises critical funds to support women’s health services. This commitment builds on a decades-long relationship between First Bank and the Foundation, with team members like Heather Ward, Regional Private Banking Executive, and current Foundation board treasurer, and Myra Watkins, a retired leader who also served on the board, playing pivotal roles over the years.

Rusty Edwards, Senior Vice President and Regional Executive for First Bank, shared what makes this partnership so meaningful. “First Bank is committed to our community,” Edwards explained. “We focus on key pillars of need, and health and wellness are two of those pillars. The Women Helping Women initiative raises funds to help women in our area get the care they need to live healthier lives. That aligns perfectly with our mission.”

The WHW Annual Luncheon is a standout event for Edwards and his team. “The fellowship this event brings is simply unbelievable,” he said. “It is one of my favorite community events across Western North Carolina each year. Seeing nearly 500 people unite to support such an important cause is energizing and inspiring. The legacy of WHW in our region is unmatched, and the impact it creates is something we are proud to be a part of.”

First Bank’s roots in the Carolinas run deep. Founded in 1935, the bank has grown to 113 branches across North and South Carolina, including 13 in Western North Carolina and six in the Upstate of South Carolina. This year marks First Bank’s 90th anniversary, a milestone that underscores its enduring commitment to serving its communities.

“We are proud of our legacy,” said Edwards. “Even as we have grown and changed over the years, we have never lost sight of what is most important—our communities and the people we serve. Without them, we would not be successful.”

First Bank specializes in helping both individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals, offering services such as credit solutions, funds management, payment processing, and home lending. Edwards emphasized that their community partnerships, like the one with Pardee Hospital Foundation, are a key part of their success. “Our focus on financial services and community support go hand in hand,” he said. “We believe that when our community thrives, so do we.”

Edwards also highlighted the importance of the Pardee Hospital Foundation and its mission. “Like First Bank, UNC Pardee, and the Foundation are here to meet the community’s needs,” he said. “Pardee is a nonprofit owned by Henderson County, and it provides top-notch medical care to everyone in the region. The support that the Foundation receives makes that possible, and we are honored to support their work.”

As the WHW Annual Luncheon approaches, First Bank looks forward to continuing its support of this impactful initiative. Edwards summed it up best: “The work that Pardee Hospital Foundation does is vital for our community, and we are proud to stand alongside them. Together, we are making a difference.”

Andrew Schmidt

Andrew Schmidt joined Pardee Hospital Foundation in November 2023 as a Donor Engagement Officer. Andrew began his career in fundraising at his alma mater, Sewanee: The University of the South, as an assistant director in charge of reunions and volunteers, working on milestone giving campaigns as well as alumni engagement and stewardship events. Andrew holds a BA in Philosophy from Sewanee and recently earned a MA in Applied Arts & Sciences from the Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Andrew previously served the Henderson Country community as an Advancement Analyst at nearby Kanuga Conference Center, where he was responsible for donor database administration, prospect research, and raising funds in support of a $15M capital campaign centered on a comprehensive renovation of the then-47-year-old Kanuga Lake Inn. Andrew looks forward to helping advance the mission of UNC Health and Pardee Hospital Foundation across the Western North Carolina region, and particularly in Transylvania County. When he’s not out and about visiting with donors, you can usually find Andrew scampering around DuPont and Pisgah with his wife, Sara, preschool-age son, Arthur, and new-born son, Rhodes.