MedWest-Harris unveils portrait honoring Don Morgan, longtime hospital administrator

8/6/2012

MedWest-Harris unveils portrait honoring Don Morgan, longtime hospital administrator 

Sylva, N.C. – MedWest-Harris unveiled a portrait of longtime hospital administrator Don Morgan at a reception on Thursday, Aug. 2 in the main lobby. Morgan served as administrator of C.J. Harris Hospital from 1958 until 1989. 

Morgan and his wife, Peggy, moved to Sylva with their sons during the time when the hospital was under construction in its present location. During his tenure, Morgan was instrumental in growing the medical staff from less than a dozen doctors to more than 50 physicians providing primary and sub-specialty care at C.J. Harris Hospital. Morgan led the hospital in purchasing adjacent property to house physician practices, enhancing the hospital’s ability to recruit more doctors. He led the expansion of the hospital from 50 licensed beds to its current 86 licensed beds, and oversaw the addition of the 2 North wing, the Intensive Care Unit, and expansions of the operating room facilities. 

Morgan’s other significant contributions include establishing a full-time Chaplain for patients, families and staff. Morgan is a lifetime member of the hospital’s chaplaincy committee. He located a permanent home for the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop, enabling the volunteers to thrive in supporting hospital projects for decades. The thrift store is now located on Skyland Drive in a building funded by the volunteers’ work. Morgan led the effort to purchase the property in Webster for Mountain Trace Nursing Center, a much-needed service in the community. 

Steve Heatherly, President and CEO for MedWest-Harris and MedWest-Swain, unveiled the portrait at the reception. The portrait will hang in the main hallway off the hospital lobby. Morgan presented Heatherly with a small plaque that came from the original hospital location. At the reception, Heatherly thanked Morgan and his wife, Peggy, for their dedication to C.J. Harris Hospital and their commitment to providing quality healthcare for local patients. 


Photo caption: MedWest-Harris unveiled a portrait of former C.J. Harris Hospital administrator Don Morgan at a reception Thursday, Aug. 2. Peggy and Don Morgan stand beside that portrait, which will hang in the main hallway off the lobby of MedWest-Harris.