In The Know - June 5
Bon Secours Names Human Resources Leadership
Bon Secours St. Francis has named Yolanda Johnson as Chief Market Human Resources Strategic Partner for its facilities in Greenville. In the new role, Johnson will lead initiatives to provide HR solutions with a focus on retention, turnover mitigation, organizational design and change management.
Johnson joins Bon Secours with more than 15 years of experience in human resources. Most recently, she served as the National Director of HR Strategy and Organizational Development for Encompass Health, the largest inpatient physical rehabilitation services provider in the United States.
Bon Secours provides its staff with programs aimed at retention and stress reduction, including continuing education, employee awards, and an engagement committee that addresses worker issues to ensure employees and patients receive the care they need.
NHE Names Vice President
Industry veteran Angie Waller has been promoted to Vice President of Affordable Property Management for NHE, a property management and development organization in Southeast. She also joins NHE’s Executive Team, overseeing direction and strategy for the 300-person organization.
NHE provides professional association management, management of affordable and conventional apartments, and service coordination to communities.
Waller will direct the day-to-day operations of the affordable property business. NHE manages 90 high-quality, low-income and affordable communities with 4,300 units in the Southeast.
Waller has more than 35 years of housing experience. She joined NHE from Cambridge Management, where she oversaw 42 properties with 4,500 units.
The 50-year-old NHE represents the residents of more than 18,000 homes, apartments, and condominiums across 15 states.
Adaptive Golf Receives Grant
Upstate-Carolina Adaptive Golf has been selected to receive funding through a grant program operated by the golf industry’s DEI campaign, Make Golf Your Thing.
As one of 82 designated organizations across the nation, UCAG will use the funds to increase participation in golf among underrepresented populations.
UCAG's mission is to create an environment where residents of the Carolinas have access to adaptive golf therapy, which fosters self-confidence and enhances quality of life.
Initially introduced in 2021, the grant program has issued 237 grants to 137 organizations, totaling $1.8 million.
"UCAG firmly believes that every individual, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to engage in adaptive recreation and experience the benefits it offers," said Brandon Worley, spokesperson for UCAG. "With the support of our community, we can break down barriers, promote inclusion, and create a more equitable society for individuals with disabilities."
The program was established to support programs that increase participation in golf among underrepresented populations, including people who are Black, veterans, LGBTQ or disabled. Industry partners are financing the program.
Make Golf Your Thing includes Make Golf Your Game, Make Golf Your Career and Make Golf Your Business. The program is administered by the American Golf Industry Coalition, a partnership among golf’s leading organizations.
Rick Erwin’s Opens In Greer
Rick Erwin Dining Group is celebrating 18 years in the Upstate this month and has opened a new location in Greer.
Rick Erwin’s in Greer opened its doors on May 26. The restaurant, located at 104 E. Poinsett Street, is the dining group’s newest classic steakhouse concept, similar to Rick Erwin’s Eastside, Clemson, West End Grille, and Level 10.
The menu will also offer fresh seafood, appetizers, desserts, and chef’s specials unique to the Greer location.
General Manager Christina Aldrich and Executive Chef Scott Ostrander will lead the restaurant. Hours will be 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
In addition, Thomas Higgins has been named Executive Chef At The Vista on Augusta Road. Higgins started with the restaurant group as a server's assistant at Level 10 in Spartanburg on the day it opened in 2018. Ultimately, he was promoted to Sous Chef at Level 10.
The Vista is undergoing a makeover to create a covered, outdoor dining area along Augusta Road with 48 additional seats.
Meanwhile, Rick Erwin’s West End Grille will undergo renovations to the inside of the restaurant. West End Grille will temporarily close in July to undergo renovations. Work is expected to take four weeks.
Women’s Network Meets June 6
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Women's Impact Network will meet from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. June 6 at the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Prisma Health Conference Room, 105A W. Curtis Street.
The Women's Impact Network includes coffee, networking, and giving back to the community. Each month's event includes a presentation from the monthly sponsor and a spotlight on that month’s local nonprofit organization.
This month’s event is sponsored by Founders Federal Credit Union; Leadership Golden Strip Class 3 will discuss the featured nonprofit.
Carolina Handling Supports Ronald McDonald House
Carolina Handling is supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities with donations of more than $25,000 to the Adopt-A-Room programs in Greenville, Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, Durham, and Winston-Salem.
This year, Carolina Handling has designated children with critical illness as the primary focus of its philanthropic efforts. This initiative was launched with a companywide kickoff where associates purchased 2,552 pies at $5 each to toss at managers and other company leaders.
The company matched the donations for a fundraising total of $25,520.
Ronald McDonald Charities provides overnight accommodations and meals for families with children in nearby hospitals. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas in Greenville served 2,236 families in 2022, providing 3,196 total nights. The Adopt-A-Room program helps maintain the Ronald McDonald House guest rooms.
Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading material handling solution providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Headquartered in Charlotte, Carolina Handling has branch offices in Atlanta, Birmingham, Greensboro, Raleigh and Greenville, plus an equipment distribution center in Piedmont.
Carolina Nephrology Practitioner Wins Award
Jordan Crosby, PA-C, a provider at Carolina Nephrology, has received this year’s Advanced Practice Provider Teaching Award, presented by Peter Tilkemeier, M.D., of Prisma Health.
This honor is awarded annually to a provider who has demonstrated excellence in teaching residents and students in training. This was Crosby’s second time winning an award from the Prisma Health Department of Medicine during her tenure with Carolina Nephrology.
Crosby has been with Carolina Nephrology since 2016.
“Carolina Nephrology plays a huge role in educating physicians at Prisma Health. Our physicians do an excellent job of making sure the residents learn key nephrology concepts. A quality nephrology rotation gives me confidence that they will take great care of our patient population,” Crosby said.
Carolina Nephrology specializes in interventional nephrology as well as the treatment of kidney disease and hypertension with practices in seven locations across the Upstate. It has 14 board-certified nephrologists and 13 advanced practitioners.
Senior Action To Distribute Farmers’ Market Vouchers
Senior Action will help distribute $50 vouchers to qualifying Greenville County seniors, as part of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. The vouchers are valid until October and can be used to purchase produce at approved farmers’ markets, including Beechwood Farms, Fountain Inn Farmers Market, Simpsonville Farmers Market, TD Saturday Market, and the Travelers Rest Farmers Market.
Applicants must be at least 60 years old, Greenville County residents, show a driver’s license or government-issued ID and meet eligibility and income requirements.
Qualifying seniors can apply for vouchers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at Simpsonville Activity & Senior Center, 310 W Curtis St.; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8 at Travelers Rest City Hall, 125 Trailblazer Drive; 1 to 5 p.m. June 12 at Berea Community Center, 6 Hunts Bridge Road; 1 to 5 p.m. June 14 at Senior Action, 3715 E North St.
Applications must be completed in person. Those unable to apply in person may designate an authorized representative to apply on their behalf. Vouchers are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Senior Action is a non-profit organization that has served senior citizens in Greenville County since 1967.
SaludaGradeTrail.org Live
An online home has been established for the future multi-use trail that will connect the Upstate and Western North Carolina: SaludaGradeTrail.org. The website and the project are a collaboration among Upstate Forever, Conserving Carolina and PAL: Play Advocate Live Well, as well as Spartanburg-based marketing firm ALINE.
Land Trust Day At Mast General
Mast General Store will host Land Trust Day on June 3, in celebration of the work the work of organizations like Upstate Forever. This year, Mast General is donating 20% of the Greenville store's sales on June 3 to Upstate Forever. The organization will staff a table at the store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer questions about land trusts and land stewardship.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know - June 5
