McLEOD HEALTH 18 JANUARY 2024

McLeod Health celebrated the unveiling of a portrait to honor Sylvenia McCutcheon on January 16, 2024. A staff member with McLeod since 1989, McCutcheon is the Executive Assistant to the CEO of McLeod Regional Medical Center and the Executive Coordinator for the McLeod Health Board of Trustees.

During a portrait unveiling ceremony at the McLeod Medical Plaza, Ronald Fowler, Chairman of the McLeod Health Board of Trustees, welcomed family members, friends and former colleagues of McCutcheon.

“At a time that the nation, state and area health systems are so challenged by the demands of healthcare in our communities, we are fortunate to retain and lift high the work of all of our people at McLeod whose commitment to quality and service to others have raised the bar as ambassadors to our core values,” said Fowler. “We are defined by the highest standards of Caring, Service, Quality and Honoring the Dignity of the Person. Those are the foundations that drive us daily. At McLeod, we are also continually seeking to improve and demonstrate compassion — intrinsic in the nature of Sylvenia. We are so thankful for her work, enthusiasm, gentle demeanor and gracious service to others. For me as Board Chair, Sylvenia is an unsung hero. She quietly and most competently has and continues to serve as the liaison for the board of trustees — capturing our meetings through notes and minutes, coordinating meetings and communications, organizing and scheduling our committee meetings and so much more. She is our right hand and helps us navigate as a board more efficiently and comfortably.”

Todd Hazzard, Vice President of Patient Services for McLeod Regional Medical Center, shared remarks on behalf of CEO Will McLeod who was unable the attend the event. “Sylvenia, your humility and giving spirit is demonstrated every day. You do the difficult work of taking care of so many tasks and people including guiding us and I must say you make this impossible task look so easy. You are grace under fire, and you make the joy in your vocation contagious.

“Sylvenia has helped guide and direct four CEOs of McLeod Regional Medical Center as the Executive Assistant and served as the liaison for the McLeod Health Board of Trustees. As Mr. Fowler said, she is a hero – which isn’t someone who takes bows, but someone who is of noble character and entrenched in the work on the front lines. That is Sylvenia. She is calm, cool, collected, consistent, committed, connected, composed, cultured and compassionate. I have prayed and will continue to pray that my daughters could grow and mature to be like Sylvenia. I pray they can emulate her commitment, elegance and gracefulness.”

Hazzard was followed by remarks on McCutcheon’s 34 years of service by Jeannette Glenn, a former colleague and a current McLeod Health Board Trustee.

In her remarks, Glenn said, “For many years, we worked in the same suite. We often shared victories and difficulties in our professional paths and personal lives. We have watched the changing of the guards, from new leaders or staff and retiring ones who mentored us along the way. We listened and involved ourselves in the daily activities of healthcare delivery. We used the past to learn from mistakes or guide us. Reliability, trustworthiness and quality are the words that describe her character. And Sylvenia radiates internal beauty. Her smile has uplifted me on numerous occasions and her calm voice, respectful tones, and encouraging manner often was the gentling factor in a very busy, if not chaotic administrative suite.”

After the unveiling of the portrait with her son Bobby McCutcheon, Jr., McCutcheon said, “I am so thankful to the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and the McLeod Health leaders for commissioning a portrait of me acknowledging my dedication and service to others during my 34 plus years here at McLeod Health. This is a great honor. One that I will always remember. It was told to me that once a McLeod Employee, you are always a part of the McLeod Family; therefore, I would like to thank my McLeod Family for helping me to celebrate this special occasion with my family, friends and church family.”

Donna Isgett, President and CEO of McLeod Health, offered the final remarks of the evening. “I am humbled by the opportunity to honor the quiet strength of Sylvenia McCutcheon. She is indeed an ambassador for McLeod and in all respects deserving of this lifetime achievement award. Many of us formulate our own ideas and philosophies about what constitutes greatness or makes a hero — but what comes to the forefront for all of us about Sylvenia is her humility, eternal hope, authentic goodwill and honesty. She pours out daily of herself  to make life better for all around her. The world is a better place because of her.”

McLeod has a long-standing tradition of acknowledging the lifetime achievements of McLeod Professionals including Physicians, Nurses, Advance Practice Providers, Ancillary Staff, Organizational Leaders and Board Trustees. One of the most significant opportunities for recognizing meritorious service and paying tribute to the fine character of these individuals is through the act of commissioning a portrait. The purpose of this distinction is to spotlight and memorialize the recipient’s rare qualities of extraordinary service, coupled with significant contributions to better both the organization and his or her community.

Tuesday’s event marked the 36th portrait honoring individuals during the past three decades.

About Sylvenia McCutcheon
Sylvenia McCutcheon has been an eyewitness to the growth of McLeod Health since joining the team in 1989. During her career, she has served in numerous roles – most recently as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of McLeod Regional Medical Center and the Executive Coordinator for the McLeod Health Board of Trustees. Her knowledge and experience are invaluable to staff and leadership.

As the liaison to the McLeod Health Board of Trustees, McCutcheon has worked closely with each Chairman of the Board beginning with Laurence McIntosh, the longest serving Chairman, providing historical reference from her more than 30 years of service.

A graduate of Florence-Darlington Technical College, McCutcheon was appointed by the college’s president to serve as a member of the Administrative Office Technology Curriculum Advisory Committee in 1994 – a role she held until 2009. McCutcheon also served as a participant in the 1997-98 Leadership Florence Class.

McCutcheon is the recipient of the McLeod Merit Award, the highest honor bestowed on employees at McLeod as well as the McLeod Foundation’s Healthcare Hero award. As McLeod Health grew, so too did McCutcheon’s enthusiasm for contributing to help others. Since 1990, she has joined other employees in supporting the Foundation’s Annual Employee Campaign and the HOPE Fund.

During her nearly 35 years of service to McLeod Health, McCutcheon has continuously displayed the McLeod Core Values of Caring, the Person, Quality and Integrity.