Fred Foy, a long-time member of St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Trustees, was recognized recently for his service to the community’s hospital. Following the November board meeting, Foy rotated off the board after 18 years of volunteer service during two different terms. He is replaced on the local Board of Trustees by another community volunteer Linda Greensfelder, who will serve a three-year term beginning January 2015.

Foy first served on the St. Luke’s board from 1996 to 2005 and then again from 2006-2014. A life-long resident of Polk County, he has served on nearly every one of the 14 committees that oversee management of the St. Luke’s Hospital Corporation. He also served as chair of the St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Trustees from 2013-2014 during an exciting year of change.

That’s when the hospital, with community support, broke ground and opened the new orthopedic patient wing that includes an impressive therapeutic gym for physical, occupational, hand and speech therapy serving both inpatients and outpatients.

During his tenure, Foy was deeply involved in setting the course for St. Luke’s Hospital to affiliate with Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) of Charlotte, one of the leading public healthcare systems in the United States. The 10-year management agreement with CHS has benefitted St. Luke’s through turbulent financial times with improved insurance contracting and purchasing power.

Foy admitted he has a special affinity for St. Luke’s Hospital. He was born in the original hospital on Carolina Drive.

“I want to help the hospital in any way I can,” Foy said. “I believe it’s a necessity to the quality of life we enjoy in our community. Like good schools, we need a good hospital. And we have a great hospital.

“I credit Ken Shull for his leadership, a dedicated board of local volunteers, a supportive foundation, and I’d like to especially recognize the people who work at St. Luke’s Hospital,” Foy said. “It’s the commitment of the staff who provide compassionate, quality care for our friends and neighbors.”

Foy pointed to the recent national recognition by The Joint Commission, naming St. Luke’s Hospital a Top Performer for quality care for treating surgical patients and for treating pneumonia. St. Luke’s Hospital was also recognized in November by iVantage Health

Analytics for overall excellence in quality and patient satisfaction, reflecting top quartile performance among all acute care hospitals in the nation.

“We’ve had many reasons to celebrate recently, and I’m honored that I served on the board to share in the hospital’s success,” Foy said.

“That’s true. We have had many successes lately, including ending another year in the black,” said Ken Shull, chief executive officer for St. Luke’s Hospital. “Fred was a quiet but very effective member of our board. As the chairman of the board, Fred brought consensus among a diverse group and helped lead our hospital to a strong bottom line after years of losses,” Shull said.

In addition to his leadership at St. Luke’s Hospital, Foy has served on the Polk County Board of Commissioners, the Rutherford McDowell Polk Mental Health Task Force, and the Isothermal Planning and Development Committee. He retired from IGA and currently works at McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory.

Foy and his wife Julie have both been actively involved with St. Luke’s Hospital and have represented the hospital during numerous community events. They are also very active in their church and enjoy family time with their two daughters, sons-in-law and three grandchildren. With more time, Foy can get back to enjoying farming and outdoor activities.

-Submitted by Kathy Woodham