NCMS staff gather with New Hanover Pender County Medical Society members, l-r Melanie Phelps, NCMS Sr. VP and Deputy General Counsel; Christy Brown, Philip Brown, MD, NCMS Board member and Chief Physician Executive New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Polly Rust, Stephen Keene, NCMS COO and General Counsel; CK Rust, MD, former NCMS President (1999) and Pam Highsmith, NCMS VP Advancement and Donor Relations.
NCMS staff gather with New Hanover Pender County Medical Society members, (l-r) Melanie Phelps, NCMS Sr. VP and Deputy General Counsel; Christy Brown; Philip Brown, MD, NCMS Board member and Chief Physician Executive New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Polly Rust; Stephen Keene, NCMS COO and General Counsel; CK Rust, MD, former NCMS President (1999); and Pam Highsmith, NCMS VP Advancement and Donor Relations.

In the year 1867, the Civil War was still an open wound; Wilmington was the largest city in the state; about 32,000 people, of whom about 10,700 were slaves prior to the Civil War, lived in farming communities around Brunswick and New Hanover counties (Pender County didn’t even exist until 1875) and the New Hanover (and later Pender County) Medical Society was founded.
Members, family and friends of the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society gathered at the Cape Fear Country Club last Wednesday, Aug. 30, to celebrate the organization’s Sesquicentennial. Guests marveled at the artifacts and photos reflecting the rich past of the organization and its members. Thirty of the society’s past presidents had recorded oral histories, sharing their insights on the challenges and rewards of organized medicine during their time leading the organization.
In addition to the physicians and physician assistant members of the Society who attended the gala event, the entire health care community including many from New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) turned out to see the exhibits, watch the videos, renew friendships and welcome newcomers.
Congratulations to New Hanover Pender County Medical Society on this significant milestone!
NCMS President Paul R.G. Cunningham, MD, pictured with Shona Martin, MD (l), the New Hanover Pender County Medical Society's first vice president and Anne Allen, MD (r), the Society's Immediate Past President.
NCMS President Paul R.G. Cunningham, MD, pictured with Shona Martin, MD (l), the New Hanover Pender County Medical Society’s First Vice President and Anne Allen, MD (r), the Society’s Immediate Past President.