Albert G. Myers, Jr. Family Support Recognizes Contributions of Former Hospital Board Chairman
CaroMont Health and the CaroMont Health Foundation today announced the
family of the late Albert G. Myers, Jr. will be the naming partner for
the new Pediatric Care Center at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. The
recently-opened facility will be named the Albert G. Myers, Jr. Pediatric
Care Center.
“The support from the Myers family is the first of its kind for CaroMont
Health and our Foundation,” said Doug Luckett, President and CEO
of the Gastonia-based health system. “Mr. Myers’ legacy in
our community is one of integrity, hard work and altruism. He was an integral
part of positioning CaroMont to grow into the regional health system it
is today, and we are honored to partner with the Myers family to ensure
his legacy is not forgotten.”
Myers, a prominent business leader and community advocate, served as Chairman
of the Board of Directors for CaroMont Regional Medical Center (formerly
Gaston Memorial Hospital) during the 1970s. He played a key role in the
design and construction of the current hospital building and pushed for
a new and emerging concept in hospital design that included all private
patient rooms – something no other hospitals in the country featured
at that time. Additionally, he was a passenger in the first ambulance
to begin patient transport to the new campus at 2525 Court Drive in 1973.
The naming of the Pediatric Care Center in honor of Mr. Myers is the first
of many naming opportunities planned by the CaroMont Health Foundation
for individuals and families searching for ways to leave a legacy and
provide support for the continued growth and development of much-needed
health services in the community.
“In partnership with families like the Myers, the CaroMont Health
Foundation funds programs, initiatives and capital projects to support
the health of the community we serve,” said Luckett. “The
Myers family is helping to ensure that our pediatric patients and their
families have access to medical care in an environment designed and operated
specifically to address their unique needs.”
With more than13,000 pediatric patients (birth through 17 years of age)
seeking care at CaroMont Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department
each year, the Albert G. Myers, Jr. Pediatric Care Center provides a safe,
child-friendly environment for pediatric patients and their families.
It comprises of an Emergency and Urgent Care department, inpatient/observation
unit for patients requiring admission to the hospital and pediatric psychiatry
unit. All areas have controlled access and are separate from the adult
population, allowing medical staff to provide specialized attention.
“Mr. Myers was a visionary, and it is incredible to see that vision
still at work,” Luckett added.
About Albert G. Myers, Jr. (February 15, 1917 – December 22, 2014):
Albert G. Myers, Jr. was born in Charlotte, NC, on February 15, 1917. The
son of Albert G. Myers, Sr. and Elfrieda Nail Myers and the husband of
Kitty Brownlee Myers, Mr. Myers was a life-long member of the First United
Methodist Church of Gastonia where we served on the Official Board.
Mr. Myers began his education at Davidson College and earned his Bachelor
of Science degree from Erskine College. He completed the Executive Program
at UNC-Chapel Hill and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Belmont
Abbey College.
After returning from WWII, where he served as a pilot in the US Army Air
Corps primarily in India and China, he went to work at Textiles Incorporated
where we retired as Chairman of the Board in 1982. He also served on the
board of the Jefferson Pilot Corporation and the Jefferson Standard Life
Insurance Company, retiring in 1992. Mr. Myers was also on the Board of
Directors of Citizens National Bank, which later became BB&T Financial
Corporation, serving 25 years and retiring in 1987. He was past Director
and Chairman of the Carolina Motor Club AAA and a former Director of Wix
Corporation, Piedmont & Northern Railroad and Highland Container Corp.
Mr. Myers was very active outside of his work, notably as Trustee of The
Crossnore School in Avery County, NC; Trustee of Brevard College; Preside
and Trustee of First Gaston Foundation; President of The Linville Foundation;
President of the Gastonia YMCA, Gaston Chamber of Commerce, Combed Yarn
Spinners Association, NC Textile Manufacturers Association and the NC
Textile Foundation. He was a former Trustee of Gaston College, member
of the Board of Advisors of Belmont College and Wake Forest University’s
Babcock Graduate School of Management, Lees McRae College and Cannon Memorial
Hospital in Avery County.
In his youth, Mr. Myers was a counselor at the Bud Schiele Boy Scout Camp.
The association with Mr. Schiele led to a life-long love of scouting,
serving as President of the Piedmont Council and later as Chairman of
Region 6 Boy Scouts of America. In addition to earning his Eagle Scout,
he was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Piedmont Council and the Silver
Antelope by Region 6. Later, he served as President of the Schiele Museum
of Natural History.
One of his proudest achievements was serving as the Chairman of the Board
of Directors for Gaston Memorial Hospital, now CaroMont Regional Medical
Center, during the original construction of the hospital campus at 2525
Court Drive in Gastonia. He was honored in 1973 by the Gaston Civitan
Club as Citizen of the Year, in 1979 by Gaston County Government with
the Distinguished Public Service Award, and in 1995 by the Community Foundation
as the Sims Awards winner.