Blythewood Chamber of Commerce names Providence Health-Northeast “Large Company of the Year” for 2018

On Friday, December 7, at the elegant Doko Manor, the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its annual community recognitions. Providence Health-Northeast was honored to be named the organization’s 2018 “Large Company of the Year.”

At a beautifully decorated and well-attended gala, guests were entertained by a jovial program of community leaders celebrating region’s warmth and charm. The Mingle & Jingle Event was the Chamber’s third annual event to honor people and businesses for their achievements and service to the Blythewood community.

This year’s honorees were:

• Business Person of the Year: Jerry Rega, Regal Prints
• Small Business of the Year: Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream Parlor
• Large Business of the Year: Providence Health Northeast
• Community Service Award of the Year: Phil Frye

As Alan George, emcee for the event, recognized Providence Health-Northeast, staff members from Providence stood by the podium. After first commending the hospital for care he personally received there, Mr. George described some of the ways in which Providence Health-Northeast is contributing to the community. “They have begun offering urology, cardiology, general surgery, and outpatient imaging, and obtained the first and only Mako robotic surgery in the Midlands. The Emergency Room has been streamlined so patients can be seen sooner, and now they have some of the shortest ER wait times in the region. Soon Providence Health-Northeast will also have a new Cath Lab, Nuclear Medicine, and a Cystoscopy Room.

“It’s not the same hospital we knew only a year ago and because of that, we’re all going to benefit,” said Mr. George. “In fact, earlier this year, the triage and ER staff of this facility literally saved the life of one of tonight’s award winners!”

He was referring to Phil Frye, recipient of the Community Service Award and revered member of the Chamber. Mr. Frye had been outspoken at previous Chamber events, expressing gratitude towards the Northeast hospital for saving his life earlier this year.

Joseph Bernard, Chief Operating Officer for Providence Health, thanked the Chamber on behalf of the hospital and returned recognition for the important work done by the Chamber itself to support the community of Blythewood. Mr. Bernard acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the team at Providence, complimenting the wide range of specialties and skills working together every day to make Providence the special place that it is. He added that it is an honor to be able to work in an environment with such an important mission: Making Communities Healthier by Extending Christ’s Healing Ministry.

About Providence Health: Founded in 1938 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continuing today as a Catholic healthcare system, Providence Health is a full-service healthcare system serving the Midlands of South Carolina. A part of LifePoint Health, Providence consists of two hospitals and multiple physician practices, rehabilitation centers, sleep centers, imaging and diagnostics labs, and other services. Providence Health’s downtown Columbia hospital specializes in high acuity care, while its Northeast Columbia campus recently transitioned from a specialty facility to a full-service community hospital. Providence employs more than 1,600 dedicated staff. For more information, visit YourProvidenceHealth.com.