TowneBank Invests in Pathways to Health Care Careers

$500,000 Gift to Create Scholarships at Carolinas College of Health Sciences

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 28, 2022 – Atrium Health announced today a $500,000 gift from TowneBank to support underrepresented students who are pursuing careers in health care.

The gift will create scholarships available to incoming students at Carolinas College of Health Sciences, in Charlotte, with the goal of increasing the diversity of the student body and ensuring that students from disadvantaged backgrounds will have equitable opportunities to pursue their desired profession. Over the next ten years, TowneBank will fund $50,000 in scholarships each year.

“We are honored that Towne Bank shares Atrium Health’s commitment to creating a culture of caring, empowering those who wish to learn, and embracing diversity in the communities we serve,” said Hampton Hopkins, president of Carolinas College, which is owned by Atrium Health. “It’s important to ensure a diverse student body that is representative of the patients we treat,” he added.

A public, not-for-profit college, Carolinas College offers an array of health care studies, such as clinical laboratory science, diagnostic and imaging science and nursing. The college serves as a talent development engine, preparing graduates to work at Atrium Health and in other evolving health care environments.

“TowneBank believes in the strength of Atrium Health’s educational programming,” said Ted Wolfe, TowneBank Charlotte president. “We are honored to be part of the solution that provides a clearer pathway for marginalized students to improve the trajectory of their careers in the health care field.”

TowneBank’s significant philanthropic investment in the scholarship program helps continue the momentum for “Giving Hope: The Campaign for Atrium Health.” The comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $500 million to create the health system of the future.

“This gift will make a positive impact in our region and hopefully inspire other corporations and individuals to step forward and give generously to support our future healthcare workers,” said Hugh McColl, chair of the Giving Hope campaign.

 

About Atrium Health Foundation

Founded in 1959, Atrium Health Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in Charlotte. As the point of contact for all contributions benefiting Atrium Health in the Charlotte region, the Foundation inspires transformational giving to improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing – for all. Through its current Giving Hope Campaign, Atrium Health Foundation is supporting Atrium Health’s efforts to create the learning health system of the future by building healthy communities, outstanding education programs, preeminent research, and exemplary facilities.

About Atrium Health

Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is an integrated, nonprofit health system with more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations. It provides care under the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist name in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, region, as well as Atrium Health Navicent and Atrium Health Floyd in Georgia and Alabama. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the academic core of the enterprise, including Wake Forest Innovations, which is advancing new medical technologies and biomedical discoveries. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing – for all, providing $2.46 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.

About TowneBank

Founded in 1999, TowneBank is a company built on relationships, offering a full range of banking and other financial services, with a focus of serving others and enriching lives. Dedicated to a culture of caring, Towne values all employees and members by embracing their diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences. Today, the bank operates over forty banking offices throughout Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, as well as Northeastern and Central North Carolina – serving as a local leader in promoting the social, cultural, and economic growth in each community. Towne offers a competitive array of business and personal banking solutions, delivered with only the highest ethical standards. Experienced local bankers providing a higher level of expertise and personal attention with local decision-making are key to the TowneBank strategy. Towne has grown its capabilities beyond banking to provide expertise through its controlled divisions and subsidiaries that include Towne Wealth Management, Towne Insurance Agency, Towne Benefits, TowneBank Mortgage, TowneBank Commercial Mortgage, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty, Towne 1031 Exchange, LLC, and Towne Vacations. With total assets of $16.86 billion as of June 30, 2022, TowneBank is one of the largest banks headquartered in Virginia.

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Media Contact:

Kirstin Ashford

Kirstin.Ashford@AtriumHealth.org