Rowan Regional Medical Center has received a $2,600 donation from the National Starch and Chemical Foundation as a silver sponsor of the Medical Center’s Annual Patron’s Ball.
According to Monica Cameron of the Medical Center Foundation, the annual Patron’s Ball is the medical center’s premier fundraising event. Last year, it raised more than $150,000. This year’s black-tie event will be Sept. 13 at the Country Club of Salisbury. More than 300 attendees are expected.
Funds raised at the Patron’s Ball will go toward building a hospice house, which will be the first and only one in the Salisbury area.
Office grand opening
Velinda Bost, an Edward Jones financial adviser, will celebrate the grand opening of her office at 122B Avalon Drive from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 1.
Bost has been helping Salisburians with their financial needs for 15 years.
“We’ve grown right along with this community, and our new office will allow us to continue providing the quality service our clients have come to expect from Edward Jones,” she said.
She can be reached at the new office at 704-636-6327.
Vendor Fair Aug. 4
Approximately 40 advanced manufacturing companies and exhibits will be featured at Davidson County Community College during a statewide Advanced Manufacturing Vendor Conference.
Area high school students are being invited to attend the fair anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Brinkley Gym on the Davidson Campus. Free and open to the public, the conference is hosted by DCCC and CCA, division of WESCO Distribution, Inc.
“We hope that students and potential students will attend the conference so they can learn more about lucrative technical careers in advanced manufacturing. We want them to see what companies are hiring our graduates and what the pay rates can be with a two-year degree,” said Chris Murphy, interim associate dean of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at DCCC.
A portion of the fees vendors paid to participate will be donated to the Program Enrichment Fund of the Davidson County Community College Foundation. In addition, a $100 American Express gift card will be given away in the grand prize drawing. Other prizes will be furnished by participating vendors.
For more information, call Murphy at 336-249-8186, ext. 6758.
Sierra level for Brady
Brad Brady of Salisbury, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has qualified for the organization’s Sierra level for 2007 achievements.
Brady demonstrated outstanding sales and service to members to qualify for the recognition. He is with Thrivent Financial’s SouthEast Regional Financial Office, serving Lutherans and their family members in Salisbury and the surrounding communities.
Approximately 575 of Thrivent Financial’s nearly 2,600 financial representatives qualified for the Sierra level. Brady has been with Thrivent Financial and its predecessor organizations for two years and has been recognized for his performance two times.
Partnership board
Teross Young, vice president of government relations for Food Lion, is one of 12 new member of the Charlotte Regional Partnership.
A nonprofit, public/private economic development organization, the Charlotte Regional Partnership markets the 16-county, two-state Charlotte region.
Practice joins CHS
Dr. Lloyd E. Nickerson, a family physician, has joined Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS).
Nickerson’s practice, Family Medical Care of Rowan, offers services that range from pediatrics to geriatrics and include routine exams and screenings, obstetrics and women’s health, treatment of major and minor illnesses and chronic conditions.
Family Medical Care of Rowan has two locations, 117 Fifth St. and 300 N. Salisbury Ave. in Spencer.
“Dr. Nickerson is a multi-talented physician and we are honored to have him join our physician network,” said Paul Franz, executive vice president, Physician Services Group at CHS. “He has an outstanding reputation and will be a wonderful asset to CHS.”
Nickerson attended medical school at Oral Roberts University and completed his residency at the City of Faith Medical and Research Center, both in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Carolinas HealthCare System (www.carolinashealthcare .org) is the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas, and the third largest public system in the nation. CHS owns, leases or manages 23 hospitals in North and South Carolina, including Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte and CMC-NorthEast in Concord, a 457-bed medical center, which is home to the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital.
Its flagship facility is Carolinas Medical Center (www.carolinasmedicalcenter.org) in Charlotte.
Caregiver for July
Renee Buonanno has been named Caregiver of the Month for July at Home Instead Senior Care, 625 W. Innes St.
This award is given to an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty in caring for seniors with whom they are entrusted.
Buonanno joined the Salisbury staff in March. “She is dedicated to her clients and picks up extra shifts, going out of her way to help them,” said Jessica Bryans, recruitment/ retention coordinator. Mona Knight, staffing coordinator adds, “Renee is very calm, kind and flexible with her schedule. She also connects so well with her clients. Her love and respect for our clients clearly comes through.”
Originally from New Hampshire, Buonanno now lives in Salisbury with her two sons, Mark Anthony and Michael.
Home Instead Senior Care provides non-medical in home care and companionship services for seniors. The Web page is www.homeinstead.com

Linda Braswell compiles the Rowan Roundup of companies, organizations and individuals. You can submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to her at the Salisbury Post, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639; fax it to 704-639-0003; or e-mail lbraswell@salisburypost.com. Please include a daytime phone number.