Bill and Nancy Stanback were honored with the Wilson L. Smith Philanthropic Award during the Novant Health Foundation Rowan Medical Center Annual Donor Appreciation and Recognition Dinner held Tuesday at the Crystal Lounge at Catawba College.
The Stanbacks were presented with the award by Kenan Smith, chairman of the medical center foundation’s board. Heartfelt testaments to the couple’s philanthropy and generous nature were shared by Fred Stanback, brother of Bill Stanback; Jason Walser, executive director of The LandTrust for Central North Carolina and longtime friend of the couple; and John Hart, bestselling author and son of Bill and Nancy Stanback. Many of the couple’s children and grandchildren were also in attendance.
Bill and Nancy Stanback were noted as humble, yet incredibly generous individuals whose philanthropy is demonstrated in works and projects throughout the community and state. As longtime donors to the hospital foundation, their gifts help support advancements in patient care at the hospital. After joining Kenan Smith on stage to accept the award, Bill Stanback noted that he was grateful to his wife Nancy for her constant support and thankful to receive the award. He also shared appreciation for the work Novant Health and its foundation is doing to support healthcare in the community.
The Wilson L. Smith Philanthropic Award is presented each year during the annual donor dinner in recognition of exceptional philanthropy, sustained service and loyal support of Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and its foundation.
This year’s event was led by Tippie Miller, a member of the medical center’s foundation board of directors, and was attended by more than 150 donors and friends of the foundation. In addition to the award presentation to Bill and Nancy Stanback, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center President Dari Caldwell shared an update reflecting on the past five years of success at the medical center due to the merger with Novant Health. Novant Health CEO Carl Armato was also in attendance.