Retired Physician Bill McLeod Honored with Tree of Life Recognition by UNC Health Rockingham Auxiliary

By ADMIN-RAS | Published December 6, 2023 | No Comments

UNC Health Rockingham News Release • December 6, 2023 • Erica N. Vernon

Photo Caption: Following the ceremony and singing of carols, guests counted down for the rooftop lighting of UNC Health Rockingham’s Tree of Life, which will be visible each night through the first week of January.

(Eden, NC) – Dr. Bill McLeod was named as the 2023 Tree of Life Star Award Recipient by the UNC Health Rockingham Auxiliary. He was honored for three decades of devotion and support for his patients, UNC Health Rockingham, the former Morehead Memorial Hospital, and the local community.

Each year, the UNC Health Rockingham Auxiliary honors a member of the community who has made an extraordinary contribution to the hospital and its patients. During the month of December, a tree lighting ceremony is held where the annual honoree is recognized. The festive lighted Christmas tree on top of the four-story hospital is lit each night through the first week of January. The Auxiliary launched the Tree of Life project in 1984 to provide community members a way to honor loved ones while also supporting the hospital’s patients and programs.
Dr. McLeod is a beloved member of the UNC Health Rockingham Family. He joined the medical staff at the Women’s Health Center in 1992 after relocating from Canada. During his tenure with the hospital, he served as Chief of Staff and multiple times as Chief of Surgery. Before his retirement in 2021, Dr. McLeod delivered more than 4,720 babies at UNC Health’s Birthing Center. Dr. McLeod joined the hospital’s Board of Directors in August 2016 and helped steward the facilities through its merger with UNC Health in 2018. He continues to serve on the Board today as a retired physician and community member.

Carolyn Hodges, a UNC Health Rockingham Auxiliary member, presented the Star Award to Dr. McLeod. She shared comments collected from patients that conveyed their gratitude for his kindness, compassion, understanding, willingness to take time with patients, and his responsiveness to their needs and concerns. Hodges reaffirmed their reflections by sharing, “I know all of these are true because I, too, had the pleasure of being one of Dr. McLeod’s patients.”

Upon receiving the award McLeod said, “When I arrived at the hospital in 1992, the lighting of the tree was one of the first events I experienced. I didn’t fully understand its meaning then, but over the years, especially in the last year with the loss of my wife, I have seen its significance to the community, to me, and to this hospital. Here, we are family treating family.” He concluded with a dedication of the award to his late wife, Cathy, who was by his side as he entered medical school and faithfully support him and their family throughout his tenure at the hospital.
Those who wish to honor a loved one with a Lovelight or Starlight on the Tree of Life at UNC Health Rockingham may continue to do so throughout the month of December. Please contact Carla Estes-Porter at (336) 627-6180 or visit the Small Pleasures Gift Shop near the Main Entrance of the hospital to make a gift. Lovelights are $5 and Starlights are $100. Honorees are sent an acknowledgement card, and their names are recorded in the Book of Honor and Memory in the hospital’s main lobby.

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Photo Caption: Dr. Bill McLeod was honored with the 2023 Tree of Life Star Award by the UNC Health Rockingham Auxiliary, represented by Carolyn Hodges.

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UNC Health Rockingham is a nonprofit, 108-bed community hospital preserving excellent, compassionate and trusted care where it is needed most: close to home. As a cornerstone in Eden, N.C., and a major employer, UNC Health Rockingham serves people throughout Rockingham County and in neighboring Southern Virginia areas. In addition to inpatient, outpatient, surgical and emergency care, the hospital offers diagnostic and treatment services, provide screenings and tests and lead wellness initiatives. More information about UNC Health Rockingham may be found at uncrockingham.org.

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