Pharmacy at Granville Medical Center named in honor of Bowman

Feb. 1—OXFORD — On Jan. 30, the Granville Health System Foundation held a dedication ceremony at Granville Health System to honor pharmacist Gary L. Bowman, past GHS Foundation president and Oxford resident, who passed away last year.

During the ceremony, the Granville Medical Center Pharmacy, a unit of Granville Health System, was formally designated "The Gary L. Bowman Pharmacy" in his honor.

Participating in the ceremony were GHS Foundation board members, Granville Health System executives and staff, and Bowman's wife, Susan.

Born in Graham, Bowman grew up in Wallace, North Carolina, before enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1981, while still in college, he married Susan Lanier. The 40-year marriage would produce two children and three grandchildren.

After graduating from the UNC School of Pharmacy, Bowman worked for Mast Drug Co. until 1994, when he opened Professional Pharmacy of Oxford.

A GHS press release described Bowman's service as an officer of the Granville Health System Foundation, which he served for 17 years, 12 as president. He spearheaded major fundraising campaigns that led to the expansion of the hospital's emergency room, the purchase of diagnostic equipment, an updating of medical facilities and creation of the Sam Perry Scholarship for promising future health care professionals.

"Gary Bowman was deeply devoted to the Granville Health System and to the wellness of the Oxford community, and it is with much joy and high regard that we dedicate The Gary L. Bowman Pharmacy at Granville Medical Center in his name and honor," said John Burns, GHS Foundation president, at the dedication ceremony.

Bowman was active in the Oxford community. He served as a trustee at Oxford United Methodist Church, president of the Oxford Rotary Club and local chair of the Rotary Foundation. In 2016, he was awarded the John Penn Citizen Award as Granville County's citizen of the year. Bowman also received the Samuel B. Burris Award for Community Service for outstanding and unselfish civic, community and church volunteer service. He established the Gary and Susan Bowman Family Endowed Scholarship to support future generations of Carolina pharmacists.

A passionate fan of UNC sports, Bowman was an active member of the Rams Club for over 30 years. He established the Gary Bowman Family Endowed Women's Basketball Scholarship in 2005.

The GHS Foundation provides financial resources for Granville Health System to purchase new equipment, develop new services, maintain and improve facilities, and recruit health professionals to Granville County.

Granville Health System has provided healthcare to the community for 100 years. The GHS main campus is located at 1010 College Street in Oxford,