Cone Health was recognized this week as the community college’s Business Partner of the Year. Receiving the award and speaking during the annual ACC Public Officials Breakfast Wednesday morning was Chad Boore, the new president of Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington and Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville.
The guests also heard reports from Raleigh from the county’s legislative delegation, state senator Amy Galey, and state representatives Dennis Riddell and Stephen Ross. All three emphasized the importance of the state’s focus on workforce development, removing regulatory burdens, and creating and maintaining a “business friendly” environment.
Ross also concluded his remarks by revealing that he would not seek reelection to a seventh term in the state house. [See separate story: https://alamancenews.com/state-rep-stephen-ross-wont-run-for-reelection/.]
Riddell, who has served as chairman of the House Regulatory Reform Committee, noted that the state had been named the best state for business for three of the past four years by Forbes magazine.
Galey also pointed to the importance of addressing crime issues, such as the elimination of cashless bail in many cases. She also pointed to the county being at the forefront of efforts for treating people charged with crimes who have mental problems through the county’s new diversion center. She also credited ACC’s role in the establishment of a public safety training center in Green Level.
The Business Partner of the Year award was presented by Jackie Cole, president of the ACC Foundation. The Business Partner of the Year award is given annually to a business or organization that demonstrates exceptional commitment to ACC’s mission and the success of its students.
Cone Health was chosen for this year’s award in recognition of its longstanding and extraordinary partnership with ACC, according to the foundation. The organization’s “deep investment in the College’s students, programs, and strategic growth has made an indelible impact on both the institution and the broader Alamance County community.”
Said Cole, in presenting the award, “The winner of this year’s award merits special recognition for their long-standing and significant contributions of time, energy, financial support, and opportunities for ACC students. Over many years, this organization has demonstrated exceptional commitment in numerous ways.”
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It was the second time the hospital organization has been awarded the distinction, having also been named in 2006.
Cone Health’s contributions, according to the ACC Foundation, include:
- Senior leadership service on both the ACC board of trustees and the ACC foundation board;
- Advisory committee participation for five curriculum programs;
- Active collaboration with ACC to establish apprenticeships for students;
- Hosting targeted recruiting fairs for programs including Culinary Arts and Medical Laboratory Technology;
- Providing more than ten work-based learning sites for ACC students;
- Hiring thousands of ACC graduates over multiple decades;
- Offering scholarship support across seven curriculum and workforce development programs;
- Contributing more than $2 million in philanthropic support throughout its partnership with ACC;
- Serving as a major investor in ACC’s Biotechnology Center of Excellence Campaign;
- Establishing two major endowments—one for scholarships and one for program enhancement; and
- Supporting ACC for 36 consecutive years with annual giving.
Nominations for the business partner of the year may be submitted by any employee or volunteer of the community college, and honorees are selected based on volunteerism, student opportunities, alumni employment, and philanthropic support.
