Taking part in this morning’s dedication of the Rotary Flag Plaza at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton was Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of
The Medical Center Foundation; Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braseltonpresident Anthony Williamson; Braselton Rotarian Paul Maney; Braselton Rotary president-elect Leigh Carroll; Braselton Rotary president Howard Hardaway; past Rotary president Jim Joedecke; Braselton Rotarian Tony Funari, who serves as Braselton chairman of the Campaign Cabinet for The Medical Center Foundation; Northeast Georgia Health System president and CEO Carol Burrell; and Medical Center Foundation chairman Jim Moore. See more scenes below in LeAnne Akin’s photo gallery.
Just days after Medical Plaza B opened on the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton campus, a special ceremony was held to dedicate the Braselton Rotary Flag Plaza.
Hospital president Anthony Williamson said the flag plaza “is a very special destination at our hospital” which was made possible through the generosity of the Rotary Club of Braselton.
“From the time we broke ground and construction began on the hospital, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at meetings a number of times to provide ‘hospital updates’ and answer questions. I was very humbled by your decision to give, but not at all surprised that you were among the very first to make a signature gift,” said Williamson. “From the beginning, The Rotary Club of Braselton welcomed the hospital with open arms. You have served as great ambassadors who made sure others heard what you heard and became educated about plans for the hospital and the impact of our work on the community.”
Williamson said, “Destinations like The Braselton Rotary Flag Plaza only happen with donations like yours.” He also noted the club has “helped create a one-of-a-kind destination where every day we will proudly display the U.S., State and health system flags and salute generations of service men and women who made great sacrifices to serve our country and ensure freedom for all.
Mike Raderstorf, director of security and safety services for Northeast Georgia Health System, and Juan Garcia, security coordinator for the hospital campus, joined in participating in the flag raising.
“Thank you for making this wonderful patriotic outdoor plaza available to patients, their families, visitors, staff and the community,” Williamson said. “Your generosity speaks volumes to your leadership and true commitment to partner with NGMC Braselton and The Medical Center Foundation to improve the health of our community.”
Williamson then introduced Rotarian Tony Funari, who is chairing the Braselton Campaign Cabinet for The Medical Center Foundation. Funari called the flag plaza “a place that now serves as a permanent legacy representing Rotary’s mantra of ‘service above self.’”
He noted this is the first time the flags will be flying above the new hospital which will be opening this spring. He said Rotary’s partnership with the Foundation and the hospital is a proud one.
Funari welcomed Rotary past president Jim Joedecke, current president Howard Hardaway and president-elect Leigh Carroll to present flags to Mike Raderstorf, director of security and safety services for Northeast Georgia Health System, and Juan Garcia, security coordinator for the hospital campus, and participate in the flag-raising ceremony.
“Both Mike and Juan are military veterans and especially proud of the flag plaza and being a part of today’s ceremony,” said Funari.
The American flag was raised followed by the Georgia flag and then the health system flag. Hands went over hearts and others saluted as D.I. Brunson, band director at Johnson High School, played the national anthem on the trumpet.
As D.I. Brunson, band director at Johnson High School, played the national anthem on the trumpet, there were hands over hearts and salutes.
Mike Day, senior pastor of Celebration Church and a Braselton Rotarian, offered a prayer of dedication asking that the flags and garden be a reminder “of those who have gone before us” and honor those who come after us to the hospital which he called “a place of hope and healing.” He said let us remember the hours and the lives sacrificed for our freedom and he asked that the flag plaza be a blessing to all.
The large gathering, which included Braselton Mayor Bill Orr and Hoschton Mayor Theresa Kenerly, then moved inside the rotunda for a photo on the staircase before heading to the facility’s education center for breakfast.
Northeast Georgia Health System president and CEO Carol Burrell expressed her appreciation and said the event was the first of many upcoming firsts for the new facility. Thinking back to the groundbreaking for Medical Plaza 1, Burrell said, “Today is really surreal.”
The Medical Center Foundation chairman Jim Moore then thanked the Braselton Rotary Club for its signature gift.
“Your club is the first civic club in the history of The Medical Center Foundation to make possible a permanent naming opportunity,” said Moore.
“My late friend and long-time board chairman, Woody Stewart, proclaimed, ‘philanthropy is the difference between a good hospital and a great hospital.’ He was right. And, The Rotary Flag Plaza is the first of what we hope to be many philanthropy-funded outdoor spaces on the NGMC Braselton campus that will help transform this beautiful piece of property into a destination of hope, healing and wellness for the entire community,” said Moore, who also thanked Funari for joining The Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees in such an important leadership role.
Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of The Medical Center Foundation, said, as the flags were being raised during the ceremony, she was reminded “of the many sacrifices that have been made for all of us and the extraordinary opportunities and freedom that we have. What an incredible place of honor you have created,” she said. “It will serve as a reminder for generations to come of your dedication and commitment.
“You have certainly lived out Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self,’” said Colston. “Today marks a very special day and celebration of your dedication as community volunteers. Many, many thanks for your generosity and all that you do.
Hardaway also thanked Anthony Williamson and Carol Burrell, Jim Moore, Nancy Colston, Maggie James and Joy Green, the hospital staff and security for the special occasion which was attended by Rotary District Governor Bill Strickland.
Hardaway said the Braselton Rotary Club is pleased to be able to leave a lasting legacy and he acknowledges that the flag plaza comes as a result of hard work since the club was chartered 11 years ago. A project of this magnitude is made possible by the club setting aside funds since the beginning and he recognized the club’s founding members including Brenda Branch, Bill Caiaccio, Pam Dunlap, Martha Martin and Dennis Still. He also thanked the club’s past presidents for their support of the project.
He also credited Paul Maney and Tony Funari for bringing the idea of the flag plaza to the club more than a year ago, and thanked Rex Gallogly, who learned of the project as a Rotary Club guest and gave the first $1,000 toward the Foundation endeavor. And there are anonymous donors as well who have joined the partnership between Rotary, the hospital and the Foundation, Hardaway said.
“I also want to thank the community for its continued support and that of the guests here today who have supported our club,” said Hardaway.