At the heart of Pardee Hospital Foundation’s new Circle of Caring Scholarship Program is a vision shared by the hospital’s physicians: to inspire and support the career growth of their own employees. 

UNC Health Pardee Chief of Staff Dr. Joel Callahan, the program’s chief visionary, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gregory McCarty have worked hand-in-hand with the Foundation and administration to bring their idea to life – to provide Pardee’s workforce with opportunities for continuous education and professional development ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to the community.

What began as a concept in 2023 has grown into a fully developed scholarship program, with strong support from donors and hospital staff. 

While Dr. Callahan and Dr. McCarty championed the Circle of Caring, they quickly say that the program has been a collaborative effort involving the entire Pardee team. With the support of Pardee’s administration and the Foundation, the Circle of Caring continues expanding its reach.

The first results of the Circle of Caring vision came to fruition recently, as Pardee Hospital Foundation recognized the inaugural recipients of the Circle of Caring scholarships during a special ceremony. These employees, chosen for their dedication to advancing their professional skills, will use their scholarships to pursue a wide range of educational opportunities that will enhance their abilities in patient care and leadership within the hospital. The event celebrated both the recipients’ hard work and the generosity of the donors who made the scholarships possible.

Scholarship Recipients are:

“I am honored and humbled to receive this scholarship, and I greatly appreciate this extra help. I will put it to good use!” said Teresa McMurray,  Pathology Administrative Assistant in Pardee’s lab department, one of the Circle of Caring Scholarship recipients.  

“Through this scholarship program, Pardee employees can now pursue medical certifications, leadership training, and other educational programs that further their careers while strengthening the hospital’s mission to deliver exceptional care,” said Amy Treece, Executive Director of Pardee Hospital Foundation.

The Circle of Caring Scholarship Program aims to help Pardee employees develop professionally, offering support for a variety of educational pursuits, including:

• • Non-tuition-based professional development

• • Medical-based certifications

• • Leadership development or certifications

• • Conferences, seminars, or summits

• • Research or process improvement education

• • Technical training

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be employed at Pardee for at least one year,  provide a documented educational or professional development plan approved by their supervisor, and not be under any disciplinary or corrective action at the time of application. Employees at the director level and above are not eligible to apply.

Once awarded, recipients are required to complete their training within one year of scholarship approval and remain employed at Pardee for at least one year after completing their training. 

Most donations to the Circle of Caring come through bi-weekly payroll contributions from Pardee employees. However, those outside the payroll can support the program through one-time or recurring gifts via the Foundation’s online donation link. Every contribution helps further the goal of providing Pardee employees with the resources they need to continue offering outstanding care to the community.

“The Circle of Caring Scholarship Program is more than just a financial resource—it’s a testament to Pardee’s dedication to its employees’ growth and to fostering a culture of excellence in healthcare,” said Jay Kirby, Hospital President and CEO.

“Through this program, Pardee’s mission of delivering exceptional care extends beyond the bedside, creating opportunities for continuous learning and development that benefit both the hospital’s staff and the patients they serve.”