GBMC Board Members Achieve 25 Percent of Campaign Goal

For an organization, there can be no greater showing of commitment and confidence than the strong financial support of its board members. The Promise Project is where it is today because 100 percent of the GBMC Board of Directors stepped forward to give.

Every member of GBMC’s Board of Directors made a financial commitment to The Promise Project – GBMC’s largest campaign in five years – to invest in the future of patient care in the community. Their multi-year support makes up more than 25 percent of the $50 million campaign goal, an outstanding achievement as well as message to the larger donor community: those most closely aligned to GBMC’s vision for the future believe strongly in it.

“We’re a community health system comprised of board members who live and work in the community. This is an important way for them to set an example for others in supporting a community-based health system in GBMC,” said Fred Hudson, chair of the Board of Directors and co-chair of board engagement for The Promise Project.

“I have never seen such a high level of commitment in all my years in fundraising,” said Patricia J. (PJ) Mitchell, immediate-past chair of the Board of Directors and co-chair of board engagement for The Promise Project. “It’s clearly an extremely strong statement.”

Much about GBMC defies convention, but when considering the involvement of the Board of Directors in all aspects of the organization – its growth, success, and vision – it was not a surprise to see this level of dedication and trust from Board members.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, GBMC is governed by a Board of Directors, who have financial and operational oversight of the organization. Therefore, membership is deeply involved in strategic discussions and future planning. Board members were intimately involved from the beginning, when The Promise Project buildings were first conceptualized.

“Keeping the Board closely involved as we learned together enabled us to articulate the need and vision over time. Members were fully aware and understood everything before we were asking them to give,” Mitchell said.

Perhaps a most compelling motivation was the steadfast dedication, persistence, and engagement of campaign volunteers, led by Dr. John Saunders as the Chair of The Promise Project, but especially the two volunteers working with the members of the Board. Mitchell and Hudson's partnership and collective work was remarkable and a true team effort.

“PJ is a force to be reckoned with. She gets behind something and she is strong in bringing it to a favorable conclusion,” Hudson said. “PJ has a wealth of knowledge about fundraising and working with other nonprofit organizations, which enabled her to be effective and persuasive. We’re very fortunate to have PJ.”

“It was delightful working with Fred,” Mitchell said. “I think we made a great team, and Fred, with his very calm and persistent approach and focus on the details, was able to inform the board effectively, keeping the conversation at the top of the Board discussions. It's enjoyable to work with him.”

The camaraderie Hudson and Mitchell share is one example of the family atmosphere at GBMC. It is clear the strong ties, connectivity, and support that define the GBMC culture start at the very top. Thanks to the members of the Board of Directors for being the first example of what being a part of the GBMC family means.

“The generosity of GBMC’s board members is overwhelming and our heartfelt thanks go to them for all they do,” Hudson said. “This financial commitment, while impressive, is just a part of the contribution they make to GBMC of their time and their talent. We are blessed with having some long-time board members and some newer ones who truly set the standard of philanthropy for all of us.”

To learn more about The Promise Project, the dedicated volunteers helping along the way, track fundraising progress and learn how to make your promise, visit The Promise Project website.

The Promise Project Leadership


John R. Saunders, Jr., MD, Chair, The Promise Project Campaign

Board of Directors Division


Frederick M. Hudson, Board Chair, GBMC HealthCare Board of Directors, Co-Chair

Patricia J. Mitchell, Co-Chair

Leadership Gifts Division


Andrew M. Brooks, Co-Chair

Sana Brooks, Co-Chair

Physicians, Nurses, and Medical Staff Division


J. Christopher Greenawalt, MD, Vice Chief of Staff, Co-Chair

JoAnn Z. Ioannou, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations & Chief Nursing Officer, Co-Chair

John Kuchar, MD, Co-Chair

Mary Lousie Collins, MD

Laura Mitchell, BSN, RN

Robert Palermo, MD

Sharon Rossi, MSN, RN, CSSM

Matt Stover

Rhonda Wyskiel, MSN, RN

Grateful Patients and Families Division


Faith Thomas, Esq., Co-Chair

Sarah Whiteford, MD, Co-Chair

Melvin Blanchard, MD

Robert K. Brookland, MD

Lloyd Burdette

Cate O’Connor-Devlin, RN

Community and Friends Division


Christina Fitts, Co-Chair

James B. Stradtner, Co-Chair

Anthony Riley, MD

Nancy Smith

Corporations, Foundations, and Government Grants Division


Delbert Adams, Co-Chair

Robert Aumiller, Co-Chair

Carville Collins, Esq., Co-Chair

GBMC Team Members Division


David Brierley, Chair

Cindy Ellis, MSN, RN

Rahsin Fortune

Sunday Jones

Jeanne Langeluttig

Stacey McGreevy, CPA, Vice President of Support Services, GBMC HealthCare

Mitchell Scholtes

Janis Smith

GBMC Volunteers Division


Bill Murray, Chair